Twenty years

Rumor is that I was born on November 14, 1990 at 6:02 p.m., right when the news came on.

I don’t remember that, but I’m not one to pass up a chance to spend time with friends, family and football.

The fact that it was my birthday just made the weekend all that much sweeter.

On the list of highlights was getting to take Dan to his first game in Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium.

While living in Lincoln, I went to a few games as a Husker’s fan. But, this time I was cheering for the ‘Hawks, which made me quite a strange fish in the sea of red.

For weeks, I had pessimistically been predicting a total blow-out game in favor of Nebraska. Remarkably, Kansas was able to hold its own and finish the game 3-20. Really not too shabby. (Is it basketball season yet?)

We left at the end of the third quarter, not so much because of the cold or inevitable loss. Instead, I needed to get home to see some of my friends/share in some dessert.

Elvis Cake

Ingredients:

Cake

• 1 1/2 C whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 2 C sugar
• 2 t baking soda
• 1 t salt
• 1/2 C cocoa
• 3/4 C unsweetened applesauce
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 T vinegar
• 2 C water

Frosting/Garnish

• 1 C vanilla sugar-free frosting (I used store-bought)
• 1/2 C peanut butter
• 3 ripe bananas

Directions:

• For cake, mix together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add in wet ingredients and mix all to combine. Evenly pour into two, greased, round cake pans. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.
• Remove cakes and allow to cool slightly in the pan. Then, loosen sides with a knife and turn onto plates to finish cooling. (Note: I did all this before the game)
• In a medium bowl, mix together frosting and peanut butter. Plop half of the frosting mixture on the center of one of the cooled cake rounds. Slowly revolving the cake, spread the frosting evenly out.
• Peel and then cut the bananas into thin-medium thick slices. Arrange slices around the circumference of the frosted cake layer. Then, top with second cake layer and repeat process.

Supposedly, people traditionally get cakes made for them on their birthdays. But, I love an excuse to bake, so my birthday definitely qualifies.

Plus, I got to combine all my favorite flavors.

Double plus, I got to impress my friends.

It was a good birthday, indeed.

Questions: When is your birthday? Do you have a favorite birthday memory?