Back in June, my dad turned the big 5-5. On his actual birthday, though, he was out of town. So the night of his return, my mom baked his favorite cake as a surprise.
But it wasn’t just a surprise to my dad; it was a surprise to me as well! I had been out all day, and I arrived home at around 6 PM. (Daddy-Dearest was due to arrive at 7.) My mom greeted me at the door with “Hi Katie I baked your dad a cake will you decorate it for him oh by the way he’s coming home in less than an hour.” Surprise!
Ack! Not yet fully registering what she wanted me to do, I quickly pulled out my cake-decorating supplies and spread them all over the kitchen counter (usually the cleaning process alone takes half an hour). What to make… what to make? It wasn’t exactly an easy cake to decorate, with its bumpy icing and big, fat hole in the middle. With the clock ticking like mad, I had no choice but to put my perfectionist tendencies aside.
With pen and paper, I jotted down a list of things about my dad. Hmmm… he loves soccer. However, I’d *just* made him a soccer cake for Father’s Day. He’s a huge Beatles’ fan. But did I want to make four men, badly in need of haircuts, out of fondant? Nope, not really. He likes the Yankees…. Ooh wait. Daddy really likes turtles. They’re his favorite animals (except for Molly and Henry, of course). So turtles it is!
Close-up, with a spiffy party hat. Hello, Mr. Turtle!
Much more aesthetically-pleasing than this guy:
Who would YOU rather have on your birthday cake?
Below, cake with the candles (the cake wasn’t vegan, but it was my dad’s favorite– maple chiffon)
And I’m happy to say that the kitchen was spotlessly clean by the time my dad got home (5 minutes early!). Well, maybe it wasn’t spotlessly clean… but we successfully diverted Daddy away from the mess by showing him the yummy cake.
One happy Dad.
VeganCowGirl says
You are a GREAT daughter. What a thoughtful and kind thing to do for your daddy!!! The cake looks great.
sportsnutritionliving says
What an amazing cake and yes your dad looks very happy… I love making treats for people and seeing how much they enjoy it… makes it all worth while!
Urban Vegan says
Your dad is adorable and so is the cake!
shellyfish says
I love it! Your dad is so cute with his sly smile & that knife…he looks like he's thinking 'hurry up & take that picture so I can eat my cake!'
Binx says
The ‘favorite animal’ never fails! If got got a giraffe cake for my birthday, it would probably, by default no matter what it tasted like (and as long as it was vegan) be the best cake I would ever have in my life!
I love giraffes. And your fondant turtles!
Astra Libris says
Ohhh, your cake is so lovely!! I am amazed you were able to create the turtles so fast! Wow! They’re absolutely perfect!!
jessy says
you did such an awesome job, CCV! one would think you had plenty of time to make those super cute turtles! they’re perfect and ADORABLE! they made me smile, too – thanks! 😀
evestirs says
very cute icing job!
nah, thats not strange, i crave chili when its hot too 🙂
i’m guessing you’re a dallas stars fan?
eatingbender says
You are so talented! And definitely good under pressure! You know, that kind of skill would get you far with your bakery/decorating business ;o)
I loved reading about your dad’s birthday because it seems like you two are really close, which reminds me of my good ol’ Pa! Happy belated to yours!!
aTxVegn says
Wasn’t there a group called The Turtles? Your dad looks very very happy with your wonderfully decorated cake.
Ruby Red Vegan says
I think it is so funny that turtles are your dad’s favorite animal! No one has ever told me turtles were their favorite before. 🙂 They sure look adorable on the cake, though!
Aimee says
Great way to think under pressure because those turtles are so cute!
pixiepine says
Cute cake!
Martin says
Could you please post your Maple Chiffon Cake recipe?