More than two decades ago, I prayed for someone who will love me truly...and yes, God answered that prayer! He gave me Ryan...the man who has been by my side for the past 19 years and who's now my husband and father of my two beautiful girls. He is all that I've asked for and many more...he's a wonderful and loving husband, a great father, a good and loyal lover and friend, and above all that, my hero and strength. I'm truly lucky to be blessed with a man like him in my life.
Today is his birthday, and as he turns 39, all I wish and pray is that God will keep him healthy and give him long life so we could spend more wonderful years together. I can’t remember life before him, and I never want to imagine life without him. I love him so much and growing old with him is one of those things that I truly look forward to...
Because it's a special day, I want to share something special with you! This is one of Ryan's favorites among the few cakes that I make. It's a simple chocolate cake which is actually the same one I made for Clarise's birthday last year but the filling/frosting is what makes it a big hit to Ryan! It's freshly made cherry compote mixed with cream cheese...which are both Ryan's favorite. Does it sound good to you??? Well, I tell you, it really is!
Today is his birthday, and as he turns 39, all I wish and pray is that God will keep him healthy and give him long life so we could spend more wonderful years together. I can’t remember life before him, and I never want to imagine life without him. I love him so much and growing old with him is one of those things that I truly look forward to...
As you join me in wishing Ryan a happy birthday, check out this recipe and see for yourself the goodness that this cake has to offer...
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups cake flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1 cup cherries, pitted and quartered
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 (8oz.) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp lemon juice
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and melted chocolate; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
2. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost as desired. (I decided to divide each cake into two, so I ended up with a four tier cake.)
For Cherry Cream Cheese Filling/Frosting:
1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook cherries with lemon and sugar for about 20 minutes or until cherries are soft. Allow to cool down.
3. Gradually add powdered sugar. Beat until thick but in spreadable consistency. Use to fill and frost the cake.
For the Whipped Cream and Cream Cheese Frosting:
1. In a small bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
2. In another bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream. Use to decorate the cake.
I am sending some best wishes to your husband. I wish he remains a loyal lover, friend husband and father of your kids. The cake look nice.
ReplyDeletelooks so yummy im gonna try this one...yum yum..:)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Ryan, may God bless you both with many, long, and happy years together. And may He bless your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe I love cherry and would love to try this cake :)
Looks absolutely delicious. Please wish your husband a very happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteAwesome cake and wonderful write up Tina. A belated happy birthday wish to Ryan.
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to ryan! What a cute pic of the two of you and that cake looks fabulous! WOW
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo of you and your husband and the cake, of course, looks spectacular!
ReplyDeletewhat a nice pair!!! you both look good!! and the cake looks amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteSowmya
Ongoing Event - Coconut
Ongoing Event - Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids - Combo Meals
Bleated birthday wishes your hubby. You guys looks great. Cake is delicious and beautiful Tina. Love the cheery cream cheese.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Ryan!!! And this cake looks so gorgeous..so delicious!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Ryan! You two look so very happy and I too wish you a long and healthy life! I'm sure that will happen with all of the healthy food and "occasional" cake that Tina makes! What a beautifully delicious looking Bday cake!
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Birthday , Ryan ! :D So , who ate most of this amazing and scrumptious cake ? lol
ReplyDeleteThe birthday boy, of course! :)
DeleteThanks for all your comments. Ryan wants to say THANK YOU SO MUCH for the birthday greetings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and delicious cake for a deserving husband. I love your post and the words you have written, God has truly answered your prayer and blessed you even more than u think :-). The cake shows your love for him and I wish him and you all the best and choicest blessings from above. Would love to try this cake so book-marking it Tina :-)
ReplyDeleteLove
Priya
Cook like Priya
Thanks Priya! :)
DeleteSuch a sweet tribute to your dear husband! LOVE his birthday cake...I'm sure he was thrilled! Enjoy your weekend, Tina!
ReplyDeleteAw happy birthday to your husband! No wonder he loves that cake - that cherry compote/cream cheese sounds absolutely delish.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful cake! Happy Birthday Ryan! You are one lucky man! Your wife is a great cook, and soon two girls will start cooking just like her. ;) You will not have to worry about getting hungry or finding good food because it's always there. :) Tina, you made such a gorgeous cake, and I can't believe you two are together for 19 years! It's double of me and Shen.... wow!! You two look cute together. ^^
ReplyDeleteHi Tina, the birthday cake look absolutely delicious and nice decoration too. Both of you look great, a perfect match.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week ahead, regards.
Quick question, why does your final photo have 4 tiers, but recipe calls for 2 pans only? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI divided the 2 cakes into halves. That's why I ended up with a four tier cake. :) My apologies for not mentioning that in my post.
Delete