Happy Birthday Cake

My daughter Ashley made this cake for 3 members of her husband's family, who celebrate their birthdays in June. Ann, her husband's aunt, celebrates her birthday on June 2nd, Christy, her husband's mom, celebrates her birthday on June 4th, and Kayla, her husband's sister celebrates her birthday on June 5th.

Happy Birthday Ann, Christy and Kayla! Enjoy your beautiful and delicious birthday cake!

Ashley's Cake Recipe

1 ( 16.25 oz. ) box yellow cake mix (without pudding added) + water, oil and eggs

1 ( 16.25 oz. ) box chocolate cake mix (without pudding added) + water, oil and eggs

1 ( 3.4 oz.) box instant chocolate pudding mix

1 ( 3.4 oz.) box instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup milk, divided

~ Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. for dark or nonstick pans and 350 degrees F. for shiny metal or glass pans.
~ Spray desired pan(s) size with nonstick and flour baking spray. Set aside.
~ Prepare both cake mixes according to package directions adding chocolate pudding to dry chocolate cake mix and 1/2 milk with wet ingredients. Add vanilla pudding mix to dry yellow cake mix and remaining 1/2 cup milk along with wet ingredients.
~ Pour yellow cake mix evenly into prepared cake pan(s).
~ Add large dollops of the chocolate cake mix on top of the yellow cake mix, and using a butter knife or cake frosting spatula, swirl chocolate cake batter from top to bottom, throughout the yellow cake batter.
~ Bake and cool according to cake package directions.
~ Frost and decorate with Ashley's Almond Buttercream Frosting.

Ashley's Almond Buttercream Frosting

1 cup Crisco                           

1/2 cup butter, room temperature                         

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 teaspoon almond extract                          

1 teaspoon of milk at a time, until desired consistency is reached                           

pinch of salt                           

1 teaspoon meringue powder                            

2 (lb) bag confectioners' sugar                            

Gel food coloring, of desired colors, if desired                              

~ Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, in a large bowl blend together the Crisco and butter until well blended.

~ Add extracts and milk, as needed, mixing until well blended.

~ Add salt, meringue powder and confectioners sugar. Mix until well blended and smooth.

~ Use to frost cake or cupcakes     

                   This picture shows the true colors of the icing and a close-up of the flowers. The lighting was not good in the above picture. I'm still learning. Thank you Ashley for the cake decorating lesson, your time and talent! You did a fantastic job!

                                                                 Recipe Source: Ashley