I have a scenario for you:  Your best friend of more than a decade (and counting) subtly hinted that she'd like for you to make her birthday cake on her birthday (of course).  And you, being the wonderful friend that you are, may have said yes or pretended not to hear but really, you're already planning what flavor and design you'll be doing with the upcoming birthday girl's request.

Let's skip to a couple of weeks and into the day.  The birthday.  The day you'll be 'surprising' your best pal with cake.

Chocolate Cake with Whipped Chocolate Buttercream

Have you ever thought about baking a cake?

How many cake recipes do you have bookmarked?  How often do you ogle at such beautiful creations (hello, Linda Lomelino) and wonder when you'll be able to produce anything just as great?

Does the idea of making a cake starting with the layers to the frosting and then assembling/decorating daunt you?

If you're a pro, I'll understand that it doesn't.  Or maybe it still does.  But the point is there's just something about making your own cake that is intimidating but oh so satisfying altogether!