Hummingbird Celebration Cake

Since yesterday was the first day of spring, I felt it was a perfect time to bake up a celebration cake.  Instead of my go-to yellow or lemon cake I decided on a springtime favorite: hummingbird, the perfect combination of pecans, pineapple and bananas.  Really is there any better way to welcome spring than with a cake adorned in brightly colored confetti sprinkles?

Hummingbird Celebration Cake
1 1/2 (3 sticks) cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 large eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups over ripe mashed bananas
2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 or 2 (8-ounce) cans crushed pineapple, drained well
Confetti Sprinkles
One recipe Pecan Spice Cream Cheese Frosting (below)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 3 (9 inch) cake pans. * I used two nine inch cake pans and made cupcakes with the remaining batter.
2. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar and vanilla beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add this mixture to your butter mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Be sure to begin and end with the flour mixture. Gently stir in the banana, pineapple and pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pans.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in pans for 11 minutes, remove from pans and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Once cooled spread the Pecan Spice Cream Cheese Frosting between layers, top and sides of the cake.
6. Add confetti sprinkles to the boarder of your cake to give it a pop of color for spring. 

Pecan Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
about 5 1/2 cups
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 – 1 cup finely chopped pecans
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
7 cups powdered sugar

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter,  pecans, vanilla, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until smooth.

Signs of Spring

{brightly budded trees}

Being from a cold climate, I always look forward to the arrival of spring. This year it arrived a bit differently. I woke up to green plush grass as a substitute to a snow-covered ground. The sound of birds chirping, and building their nest instead of hiding to keep warm.  This is an unusual sight for Michigan on the first day of spring, but I am savoring every bit of it. What is the weather like where you are at?

 {the first bird nest casualty of spring}
{beautiful buds in bloom}

Sweet Celebrations

 {lemon birthday cake with meringue buttercream frosting}
When it comes to birthday’s I like to keep things simple. I usually have an intimate brunch that includes a cake made by my mum, plenty of fresh flowers and of course delicious desserts.  Here is a glimpse at a few highlights from my 26th birthday.

 {SINFULCOLORS Easy Going; pale pink and peach milky manicure}
 {peach mango mimosa\’s with colorful shoes to distinguish people\’s glasses}
 {floral birthday cake to make the perfect wish}
{perfectly packaged presents}

Five Things

 {new way I am wearing my ponytail}
After a very trying week I am  thrilled that the weekend has arrived. Since Sunday is my birthday my weekend will be filled with plenty of indulgences a beautiful birthday brunch and plenty of time on the balcony enjoying the 70 degree winter weather. 
 {broken sidewalk on a historic road}
{a little baking love}
 {a double rainbow in the dark sky}
{movie night snack}

How To: Properly Set the Table

{simple place setting for an informal meal}
Whether you are eating solo or having guests over for the holidays there is a proper etiquette you should follow for a perfectly set table.  Here are a few tips, tricks and diagrams to help you create the ideal eating environment.

• The word “forks” will help you remember the order for a basic place setting. (Fork, O for the plate, R right side Knife and Spoon.)
• The knife blade always faces the plate
• The napkin goes to the left of the fork or on the plate.