Happy Birthday to MK!

As the years go by, some people cringe when their birthday rolls around and they are another year older…not me!  I embrace the day.  Another year older means another year wiser, another year full of fun and exciting adventures, and another year enjoying all of life’s many blessings.

My birthday has always been a special day.  I am not sure if it is because I am “the baby” of my family or not, but birthdays were a very special occasion. My mother always made it a special day and I think I have carried on that legacy by making birthdays a big deal in our household. 

Childhood birthdays were always celebrated with a birthday party—and sometimes, two. One for family, one for my friends.  They were such festive occasions.  Everyone dressed up, crepe paper streamers, paper hats, horns and balloons were in abundance.  There was always a special dinner and more times than not a white double-layer cake with buttercream frosting,  decorated on top with huge buttercream roses, was waiting on the dining room table.

For as long as I can remember, my birthday cake came from Magee’s Bakery, a tiny corner bakery shop in my hometown. I just loved going there to pick up my cake with my mother.  Well, okay, I enjoyed going there anytime but birthday cake day was also a good memory.  The bakery seemed to stand still in time, never changing. Doughnuts, cream puffs, eclairs, petit fours, cupcakes and cookies—made fresh daily—were proudly on display in the glass cabinets that lined the tiny storefront. When you walked in the door, you were overwhelmed with that powdery sugar aroma that seemed to almost thicken the air.  Such good memories.  Magee’s was a time-honored tradition (although it closed its doors a few years back) and my birthday just was not my birthday without one of those cakes! 

However, one year my older sister, Lynn, surprised me. Lynn is the oldest of my three siblings and the only other girl. There was a bit of an age difference so she maybe “babied” me the most of all.  We have always been close and remain so to this day.  I cannot remember the reason why but for she wanted to be in charge of my birthday cake.  So there was no trip to Magee’s that year but I was definitely not disappointed.  Lynn made me a picture-perfect and most delicious pineapple upside-down cake that year!  It was so special for me, and a birthday memory that I will never forget.  Just thinking about it, I can almost taste it!  Absolutely delicious with the fresh pineapple rings and candied cherries on top.  

Last year, my daughter, Lily, surprised me with her rendition of a pineapple upside-down cake.  It was such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do for me and to honor her Aunt Lynn, too.

As another year rolls around for me and I take time to reflect on my past, present, and future, I thought I would share this special birthday memory.  I also have the recipe on the website with a curious little twist using In the Curious Kitchen Boozy cherries.  Now that is a twist that takes this cake to an entirely new level!

Are birthdays special for you and your family? What are your birthday traditions?  Do you have any special memories?  What is your favorite cake?  Send me an email, mk@inthecuriouskitchen.com. I would love to hear from you.