The Mega-Cakes

I'm scheduling this post, as Tuesday and Wednesday are hugely busy days for me - I'm doing final exams, in the form of one-to-one interviews, for 33 university students. Intensive, challenging, fun and well-paid! But I promised to tell you about the two mega-cakes at my birthday tea party... The chocolate monster above was made by Son 2, in partnership with me.

The recipe was from his wonderful new cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa, which he won in Sherri B's recipe competition.

Doesn't this chocolatey smile say it all?

And here is the final offering - Chocolate Buttercream Cake, made and decorated by Son 2. Wow, what a cake!

Can you see, lurking behind the chocolate monster, Ben's wonderful Swiss Roll? Or 'roulade' if you prefer. It's filled with home made lemon curd and crème fraiche, and was just brilliant, although eclipsed by his son's mega-cake.

There was much enthusiasm when the candles were lit.

And of course, Son 2 used a few of the re-lighting candles that Ben tormented me with last year...

Look at the difference in the weather between this June and last! Same dress, though...