Cinderella's Perfect Pound Cake

Forget what other high school kids tell you about riding the bus. If it were socially acceptable to spend my entire high school career on the bus, I would. Not just because it's easy transportation, either.

My first day of freshman year I walked onto a bus filled with a pack of girls so opposite from myself that it shocked me. Since then, we've become the closest and most unsuspected friends.

Today, one of my 'Bus Girls' -our loving title- brought a portfolio of pictures ... that she draws. It took her an entire year to share them which made me realize that you never stop getting to know a person. Her picture also made me realize my blog's point: Creativity.

To me, creativity is anything that will stick with you beyond the point of seeing or experiencing it. I hope some aspect of this blog ends up sticking with you. Most of all, I hope it inspires you to want to create. (In my world, creativity is edible!)

Vanilla Bean Pound Cakes Slightly adapted from Recipezaar 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 5 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste * Pure Vanilla Extract works, too!
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Using a standard mixer with a paddle attachment mix the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix on high for 5 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl, measure out the flour and baking powder. Stir.
4. Turn the mixer on low and alternatively add the milk and the flour mixture.
5. Pour batter into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan (or whatever desired pan, although it may change your baking time)
6. Bake 66-75 minutes, or until toothpick comes out dry.

Frosting:

I made my frosting recipe up without measuring, but next time I promise to remember to write it down and share it! 

If you're looking for the swirled frosting look, just make double the amount of frosting you need.

Do a crumb coat of frosting (a thin layer of frosting that entraps all the unwanted crumbs) then add globs of frosting and spin your spatula in funny directions, allowing peaks of frosting to stick up.

Flowers:

I used a white gumpaste, dyed it light green, and rolled out small ovals. Then I attached the smaller ovals on the insides, and laid the larger 'petals' on the outside, with their heads pealed over.

Happy Baking!

Note: Any donations made to the Alternative-Bus-Girl-Transportation-Truck will not be denied.