A Happy Cake

You know how there are some foods that put a smile on your face?  Things that take us back to our childhood in a heartbeat?  This cake is one of them.  It makes everyone smile when they see it and happy when they eat it.  And it is easy and quick to make.
Melt 1/2 C. butter and mix it with 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of brown sugar.  Whisk this together.  You can mix this cake easily by hand.

Measure 1-2/3 C. flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. of salt.  Whisk to combine.

Pour 3/4 C. of milk in a bowl and add 1 T. vanilla extract and 1 tsp. almond extract.  Add 1 large beaten egg. Whisk this into the sugar mixture and then stir it into the flour until combined.

Stir in a cup of colored jimmies. 

Pour the batter into a greased 9 inch pan lined with parchment.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.  Set aside to cool completely.  If the cake starts to brown on the top, cover it with foil half way through baking.

For the buttercream icing, beat 2 sticks of softened butter with 4 C. of confectioners sugar, 1/4 C. of milk and 2 tsp. of vanilla extract.

Beat until smooth.


Frost the cooled cake and sprinkle with colored nonpareils.  Why are they called this?  Why aren't they just pareils?

Anyway, this cake is luscious.  I like to keep it in the refrigerator.

Comments

Sunnybrook Farm said…
Good luck keeping it in the refrigerator, it wouldn't last that long here!
Anonymous said…
its pretty too!!! You are an early bird today!!!
Suzanne said…
Probably the best and most simple birthday cake you can ever make.

thank you for sharing
Adele said…
The Happy Cake looks really colorful and delicious. I'd love to try this, but am wondering if it takes any eggs in the recipe. Thanks, Adele
brokenteepee said…
Thank you for calling them jimmies
Sometimes the most simple sweets are the most delicious of all!
Nellie said…
This looks like something to keep around. Very simple.
Anonymous said…
Looks yummy! I'm in the mood for something sweet but thankfully I don't have all those ingerients at home :-) But this is a must do when those long dark autumn days arrive.

I tried to use google translate for nonparels and either it wanted me to tranlste the word from french or it said unique :-)So I can't even say I know what it is in the first place :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.

Dee said…
Looks wonderful. Amazing how good simple things are.
Guillaume said…
This is a very summery cake.
Craig said…
Delicious and fun. A winning combination in my book!
In French, "nonpareil" means "unequalled" or "without equal" so it means they're the best! I've never heard them called jimmies before. I just call them sprinkles.
littlemancat said…
Yay jimmies! That's what we've always called them too here in my part of Pennsylvania - northwest of Philly. The cake looks so delicious!
Mary
Barb said…
Looks easy, I'm going to try it!
luckybunny said…
So I just saw this now but last night I was seriously wandering around telling Kevin I wished I had a piece of cake. and this looks sooo good!
Mary Ann said…
This looks so good and easy!
I agree, this is a happy cake.!

I like to refrigerate many of my cakes.