Strawberry Cake

We have a tradition in our family involving strawberry cakes and first birthdays. Well, it's a tradition now. When I turned one my mom baked me a strawberry cake. It was pink and in the shape of an elephant. I am told that I stuck my hand in it and promptly wanted the icky icing off of my hand. When Little d turned one, Strawberry Shortcake dolls were just making a big comeback and since they had been a favorite of mine, I used that theme for her first birthday--complete with a strawberry flavored Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake. She ate it very neatly.

I knew that Little m had to have a strawberry cake as well. We just had to decide on what the cake would look like. I decided (finally) on a cupcake theme. So under this pink swirled confection with pastel dotted sprinkles lies a strawberry cake. Last night at her party Little m took a few licks of icing but slightly gagged on the cake. (She's not really eating very many solids yet.)

God-willing we would like to have another child someday. If it's a boy I wonder how to make a pink cake look masculine. I may have to start a new tradition. And I'm pretty sure it will involve John Deere green and yellow.