Second Chances Wedding Cake

Second Chances Wedding Cake

Second Chances is the story of Blythe Alexander, a young woman whose life is spinning out of control. When she discovers that her fiance is a cheater, she leaves her old life behind and begins a new one, returning to her hometown of Fredericksburg, South Carolina. She turns her grandmother's old Victorian into the Alexander Inn, a bed and breakfast, reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, the local sheriff, and fights off the bad guys who want her inn. All the while, she finds time to host a wedding for her best friend.

The recipe for Second Chances Wedding Cake is adapted from Betty Crocker's New Cake Decorating Book. The buttercream frosting is Martha Stewart.

And while I didn't make this cake for a wedding (my daughter's 10th birthday) it certainly is delicious enough to impress.

Second Chances Wedding Cake

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups milk (I use local Happy Cow whole milk)

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 to 9 inch pans. Beat all ingredients in large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter into pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely.

For Frosting:

4 sticks unsalted butter, softened

6 cups confectioner's sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat butter and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until combined. Reduce speed to low and continue to beat, gradually adding remaining 5 cups sugar, 1 cup at a time. Raise speed to high. Add vanilla. Beat until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes more.

Enjoy!

Tina