My life has had its fair share of ups and downs to be sure but without question, the area where I feel that I truly am the luckiest is in my friends. I have a sizable number of exceptionally wonderful human beings that I count as some of my very best friends. People I can call anytime if I need something (though you can be sure that if I actually pick up the phone and call you, I am probably dying), people who love to search out and enjoy good food and drinks as much as I do, people who will act silly with me and laugh with me until our cheeks and stomachs hurt.
When one of these people celebrates a birthday, I do what I do best. First, I order them a gift online and have it shipped, likely a day or two late because I needed Facebook to remind me it was their birthday and then I forgot anyway. Then I bake them a cake to make up for the late gift. Also because I love baking. And because we love cake. And it’s all good, because smiling and laughing with friends over cake is pretty much the best, even a week or two late.
My awesome friend Tracy celebrated a birthday last month and she chose this chocolate chip layer cake from the Milk Bar – BEST CHOICE EVER. The flavor combination may sound a little strange – chocolate chip cake, passion fruit puree and passion fruit curd, chocolate crumb and coffee frosting. I get it. Just trust me, it works. I mean, really, has passion fruit curd ever sounded like a bad idea to you? Have you ever even made passion fruit curd? No? Then get your behind into that kitchen and get cooking stat. This cake, just like truly great friends – so worth it!