Homemade Birthday Cake - Nailed It

My oldest baby is seven today. So this morning I set out to make him the world's greatest birthday cake, and I totally nailed it.

The real story -

I rushed it. I iced a warm cake, people. I know better. But what it lacks in presentation, I promise it makes up for in taste. This is THE best cake.

It's Stephen's grandmother's chocolate icing recipe, and it is to die for. It's like fudge, and it is totally worth the trouble!

I'm sharing the recipe, but I have a disclaimer....it takes a little time to master. As you can see, I'm still perfecting it. Make a practice cake before you go for the real deal. And above all else, don't ice it when it's warm!

for the cake:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 cup whole milk

1 stick melted butter

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

mix all ingredients, divide into 3 greased 8 inch cake pans

 bake on 350 degrees for approximately 11-15 minutes depending on your oven

for the icing

1 stick butter melted

2 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk (or half n half)

6 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips (or approximately 1 cup)

12 large marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla

on the stove, melt butter, then mix in sugar and milk 

heat until mixture comes to a boil, and then time it for 3 minutes (important!)

after the 3 minutes, remove from heat

immediately pour in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and vanilla

stir and allow icing to cool for about 30 minutes before icing the (completely cooled) cake

*I like to use 8 inch cake pans, which is a vintage size. If you use larger ones, then I suggest making 2 layers instead.