Birthday Cake Sunday and Orange Cake Recipe

During the 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour on the third Sunday of every month, we do something special to honor all the birthdays happening during that month...sing "Happy Birthday" and cut into some cake. One of our parishoners got this idea from the church across the street and it was too yummy to resist trying out.

If you haven't been able to make it to "Birthday Cake Sunday" or are reading this from a location in the world that makes it impossible to attend :), here's how it works:

• Each month, parishoners volunteer to sign up and provide the cake
• Once a sizeable group has made it downstairs following the 10 a.m. service, we ring a bell, signaling everyone's attention
• We ask people with birthdays for that month to raise their hand and we also post a listing of all birthday persons for that month near the cake serving station
• Then, we get everyone to sing a rousing version of "Happy Birthday"
• Finally, we cut into the cake and...mmmm...take a piece

Here's the recipe for the Orange Cake prepared for April's Birthday Cake Sunday...enjoy!

3 c. flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp. orange rind

1/2 c. orange juice

2/3 c. milk

Combine butter, sugar and eggs. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and add to creamed butter mixture. Add milk, juice and rind and mix well. Pour into two round cake pans and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degree F.

Variation: Mix 1/4 c. orange juice with 1/4 c. pineapple juice for a slightly tropical twist. Lactose intolerant or allergic to milk? Use soy butter and unsweetened soy milk instead of the kind that comes from cows.

Icing:

1/2 c. butter

1/8 tsp. salt

1 lb. icing sugar

1/4 c. orange juice

Combine all ingredients until well mixed.