Weeks before the kiddo’s birthday, I was already planning for a birthday cake for him. I considered baking a carrot or a purple yam cake, which I thought would be manageable given my skill level. However, the month of February got so busy with work and family activities that I was not able to devote even the day before his actual birthday for preparations.
I was already okay not having a birthday cake, but the hubby asked about it the night before. I felt guilty. The next morning, with just about three hours left before a scheduled lunch-out, I decided to bake my go-to celebration cake — cookies and cream chocolate strawberry layered burnt Basque cheesecake!
As I was in a rush, I could not afford to maximize the required cooling time for the cake to settle. Thus, the cake broke a couple of times. Yet there was no way giving up, so I had to fix it with chocolate ganache, cookies, and strawberry toppings. I left the cake in the fridge for several hours to chill and settle. Finally, I was able to serve it to the birthday boy at dinner time!
For a planned trip to the province, the kiddo requested his Lola for donuts. Prior to the visit, I mentioned to him that I sold donuts for snacks when I was young. His Lola cooked all sorts of snacks for us to sell in the neighborhood after school. And this donut (bicho-bicho style) was one of those.
The kiddo was so happy to try his Lola’s donuts. Thirty years after, her donut recipe already includes chocolate glaze variant in addition to the classic! The kiddo even asked for the last piece of leftover donut the following morning.
What a joy to see that the kiddo loved his sweet treats! They were not perfect, but it was the effort that went with those treats that made them special. Like what I always tell the kiddo, “What separates homemade food from store-bought one is that it is made with love.” I know he understood. He has always been grateful and very appreciative.
Happy birthday, kiddo! You are loved! <3
Your cooking is getting better and better. And your son is one of the happiest kids in the world because you give him a lot of love and you have a lot more love to give~^^
Thank you, Brucy! I’m sorry for seeing and replying to this comment this late. My son and I always kid each other, “It’s delicious because it’s made with love.” I appreciate your ever positive comments, my friend. <3