Sweet Baked Life

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that’s what little girls are made of! Girls and goodies, they go hand in hand! And I am happy to announce that yesterday, 11-12-13 my beautiful goddaughter gave birth to a sweet baby girl, SIENA RAE. What better way to celebrate the circle of life than with a Pink Animal Cookie Layer Cake!

You see, I made this cake some time ago, with the help of my son (he decided what to do with the cookies), but wanted to share the recipe with all of you on this very special occasion! You see, I am not a huge layer cake and perfect frosting type of gal but after I heard the news of the pregnancy, I got this idea in my head for this cake. I am overjoyed with the happy news that the adorable baby girl arrived safely on a very special date, that no one will ever forget! And my heart is filled with love for the new mom and dad and their new little family. This fun Pink Animal Cookie Layer Cake is super easy to make and perfect to serve at any girly celebration!  So to honor your arrival, Siena Rae, this cake is for you!

Pink Animal Cookie Layer Cake

1 box of yellow cake mix (your favorite, mine is Pillsbury Moist Supreme Classic Yellow)
Eggs (according to box mix recipe)
Milk (substitute amount for water indicated on mix)
Melted butter (substitute amount for oil indicated on mix)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup butter (1 stick), softened
1 box of confectioners’ sugar (approx. 3-3/4 cups)
3-4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mother’s Animal Circus Cookies (about 10-20 crushed)

Heat oven to 325 degrees (or whatever the temperature is according to the mix).  Coat two 8” round cake pans with cooking spray.  Cut out circles of waxed paper to fit the bottoms of the pans, insert and spray again.

For the cake:
Mix cake according to box, except for the water use milk and for the oil use melted butter and add in 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Bake according to directions and let cool for about 10 minutes in pan, then flip onto rack, remove waxed paper and cool completely on rack.

For the frosting:
In a large bowl of an electric mixer on low-speed, combine the butter, sugar, vanilla and slowly add milk (1 tablespoon at a time, until you have the consistency you like). Beat until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

To assemble the Cake:
On a cake plate, place one of the 8” cake rounds.  With a spatula put about 1/4 of the frosting on the top and spread evenly with an offset spreader.  Sprinkle with 1/2 of the crushed cookies and top with the second 8” round.  Put remaining frosting on the top and spread evenly on top and over the sides with the offset knife.  Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 of the crushed cookies.  Place a few whole cookies on the top for the final decoration.

Welcome to the world dear baby Siena Rae! I can’t wait to meet you! And one day I hope to make you this Pink Animal Cookie Layer Cake or anything else your heart desires! My your life be filled with sweet days, overflowing love and eternal happiness!

Much love xxxoo