Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Milk Bar was founded in 2008 by James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef award-winner Christina Tosi; you may have heard of some of the bakery's more popular items, like Cereal Milk ice cream, Compost Cookies and Crack Pie. With five locations in New York, one in Toronto and another opening in Washington, D.C., later this year, Milk Bar is becoming its own dessert empire. But it’s the eatery's Birthday Cake that has won my heart and my stomach. It’s a modern take on the classic Funfetti cake, and it makes an appearance every year when it’s my birthday (and also when it’s not). The key to the moist cake layers in this towering treat? A soak of whole milk and clear vanilla extract. That’s right: It’s like a tres leches cake gone birthday bonkers, in the best way possible. We stopped by Milk Bar's test kitchen location in Brooklyn to see how the masterpiece comes togeth

Start with a cake layer base, soaked in the whole milk and vanilla mixture, then top with birthday cake frosting. It's a better version of buttercream that uses unsalted European-style butter, vegetable shortening and cream cheese. Spread the frosting over the entire first layer of cake. Top with birthday cake crumbs, which are made with cake flour, sugar and sprinkles (among other things) and are the key to giving a fun crunch and quirky surprise to every cake slice. Cover the cake crumbs with more frosting. Add a layer of cake and more whole milk mixture. Add another layer of frosting and cake crumbs. Top with more frosting. Add the final cake layer and more whole milk mixture. Finish with your remaining frosting. Remove the cake ring. Pipe on your message. Finish with a ring of birthday cake crumbs and rainbow sprinkles .

How to Bake a Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide : Recipes and Cooking : Food Network | Food Network

How to Bake a Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow this easy guide for mixing, prepping and baking a cake, then watch our how-to video.

Related To:

How-To: Cake 101
Follow these easy tips for success every time you bake.

Prep Ingredients
First, set out your ingredients.

Measurements Matter
Take the time to be precise. Accurate measurements mean tastier results.

Bring All Ingredients to Room Temperature
Measure your ingredients while the butter and eggs warm up. Batter mixes best when ingredients are at room temperature.

Check Egg Sizes
Large eggs are the most common for baking.

Preheat
Preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes. Use an oven thermometer so you'll know if your oven is running hot or cold.

Oven Racks
Position racks in the center of the oven.

Sifting
Use a mesh strainer if your recipe calls for sifting. Just tap the sides and take your time.

Parchment-Paper Lining
Trace the cake pan on parchment paper and cut just inside the lines.

Butter the Pan
Butter the pan with softened butter or nonstick spray. Line the pan with parchment paper — this will help your cake release perfectly — and butter the parchment.

Flour the Pan
Coat the sides, bottom and corners of the pan, then remove excess. The butter and flour combination will help the cake come out of the pan easily once baked. Remove excess flour when prepping the pan.