This week’s TWD pick is the Perfect Party Cake, which was chosen by Carol of Mix, Mix..Stir, Stir. Glad Carol picked this, because it was a challenge I probably never would have chosen myself.

I divided the work into two days–day one, bake cake. That was the easy part…I cooled them, wrapped them and let them sit on the counter over night. When I unwrapped them, that sticky outer layer came off–that’s one thing I learned to do anyway in cooking school. Taking that sticky part off, leaves the nice white cake all by itself. This cake, in particular, has a beautiful tight crumb. Besides that, the jam will soak more easily into the cake without that outside. Day two was for the meringue and assembly.

I heated the whites and sugar, then whipped them with the stand mixer, really pumping up the volume. Meringue is beautiful, isn’t it?I’ve said it here before, I’ll say it again. these things often are so much easier than they seem…My biggest problem is getting the layers even (that top layer looks a bit …thinnish, doesn’t it?)…I’ll work on it. So? To make it again? Work on those layers. I have to go lighter on the jam on that first layer. But besides that? This cake is great. The bit of lemon flavor in the buttercream is so light, so nice…

I loved the idea of adding the fresh raspberries…The playing around ideas look REALLY good, too. Whipped cream instead of the buttercream (I’d probably like the flavor better, but I like the idea of doing the recipe as written first…I’ll play next time…). Candied lemons between the layers? Okay. I’m all for that…

As always, check out the recipe at Mix Mix, Stir Stir (if it’s not up yet, give Carol time; it’ll get there.) And head over to TWD to check out all the other blogs.

Now go have a perfect party.