Birthday Bestie

For the past couple years, I’ve made a point to bake a cake for my girlfriend’s best friend’s birthday. I must admit, during the first year, I was unprepared for just how graciously this tiny gesture would be received. After all, me and my best-friend-in-law (as we call each other) knew each other long before my girlfriend and I started dating. We were friends, or close enough at least. While we did become closer through our mutual proximity to my girlfriend, I wanted to express that was not solely the tether of our friendship. None of my cakes are particularly extravagant. I’m not a prestigious nor prolific baker. It’s really only for birthdays and celebrations that I pull out my old oven mitts. Most of my recipes are found online like everybody else. In fact, there is really no reason that my baking should be praised other than the fact that I do it out of love and don’t make any egregious errors in the kitchen. Last year, I scarcely had enough time to let my lemon cake settle. It simply wasn’t cooling in the sultry air. There was nothing I could do. I had to take it to the birthday picnic while it was still warm.

It just takes a little love, not too much baking soda, zest, and a pinch of salt.

Despite my trepidation on presenting a half-cooled pastry, my cake was the star of the party. It will forever be known as my “hot lemon cake.” Its unconventional presentation and texture did little to diminish its worth. Rather, it’s one of my most praised creations. What I mean to say here is that it doesn’t take a lavish gift—or a particularly light, spongy dessert—to brighten a picnic. It just takes a little love, not too much baking soda, zest, and a pinch of salt. This year, I spent the morning cooking my first ever mille-feuille cake as a special request from the host. I won’t say it was an easy gift. It took all day to get the many layers right. Still, the whole process helped me hone my craft in new and unexpected ways. This was uncharted territory. I had ventured out, made it back safely, and was more rich from the experience.