Simple cakes are beautiful.

For my sister’s birthday earlier this week, I wanted to make an elegant dessert without any frills or too much frosting. I had my mind set on an indulgent slice of cake with a dollop of whipped cream and freshly sliced fruit–a lovely treat with just the essentials.

I think it’s beautiful in a relaxed way, perfect for a loved one’s birthday!

Essential Birthday Cake
(makes 4 servings)

Active prep time: 1 hour
Wait time: Overnight

What you’ll need:

• Some cake // I halved this recipe from Hampton Creek. Just Mayo makes a beautifully moist and rich chocolate cake!
• Something creamy // Oh She Glows has a SPLENDID tutorial for an amazing coconut whipped cream.
• Caramel, for drizzling // Make your own or buy some from Whole Foods! I used Hey Boo’s coconut caramel to save time. This part is optional–I just wanted to have something extra special for my sister’s birthday!
• Fresh fruit // I used strawberries!

Method:

1. On the night before // Bake the cake, and let it cool overnight, covered with moist paper towels. Chill a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge.
2. The next day // Make the coconut whipped cream. Serve cake slices with a spoonful of coconut whipped cream, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of coconut caramel.

Enjoy!! My sister loved it with her birthday brunch! 🙂 I also made strawberry pasta this week…recipe coming soon!