Sweetapolita's Inside-Out (Mini) Neapolitan Cake

Isn't this sweet? I made this mini cake with 4.5 inch springform fans for a dear friend of mine for her 30th birthday. I wanted to make something special so I thought I'd tackle a three-buttercream recipe. I was inspired from the cover of the latest cookbook from Miette (I just adore the bare edges) but mainly from Sweetapolita.

It was harder to make than I thought because I didn't level the layers of cake properly so one of them was at an angle, and it seemed to me like the cake would tip over.

This cake ended up being a bit of an investment because of the springform pans, but I'm so glad I purchased them because I am always looking for a way to indulge my friends and I think a mini-tiered cake is the perfect way.

I'll be honest. This recipe has completely changed the way I feel about buttercream. I love it now. This buttercream recipe is to die for. And you can play with it to produce strawberry, vanilla and chocolate buttercream as you see here.

Nutella Swirl Pound Cake with Espresso Glaze

I've said this before, maybe a handful times, but this time I really mean it: I think this is the best cake I've ever made in my life. Ever.

And it's not just my ego speaking. Several people said so. It's the kind of cake that whispers your name when you pass by, whispering, imploring you to cut "Just another small sliver." It was gone, and fast.

Cake batter and sprinkle bark

This recipe comes to you by way of one of of my favorite bloggers these days -- you guessed it -- Sweetapolita. Obviously I haven't outgrown my childhood need for sprinkles, because this called out for me as soon as I saw it on Rosie's blog. Heck, my favorite donut is the Hawaiian so this was a no-brainer.

Sweetapolita's Cinnabon-style cinnamon rolls

Listen, if you are on a diet, don't make these. Because there is absolutely no way you can exercise portion control if you get a whiff. Maybe you will have the self control to devour only half of one after pulling them out of the oven and smearing on the frosting.  You'd be forgiven for ripping off a piece and swallowing it whole. Indeed.