My husband and I didn’t have a traditional cake at our wedding.
We actually didn’t have a cake at all. Instead of feeding each other cake, we fed each other Dairy Queen Blizzards. This was commemorative of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other, over a Butterfinger and Hawaiian Blizzard as the third wheels of a couple we both knew.
The magic that is Alex and I all started with a Blizzard at Dairy Queen. But if it hadn’t, you can bet your boots I would’ve had a naked cake at our wedding.
Naked cakes are so unassuming. They aren’t showy and they don’t have to get all dressed up — they are simply beautiful in their natural state. When I think about the beginning of Alex and my relationship, or the beginning of many great love stories for that matter, I think about how similar they are to a naked cake. It’s all kinds of happiness and sweetness wrapped up in an adoration for someone for simply being who they are.
At the end of the day the deepest kind of love isn’t based on someone’s outward appearance, it’s based on recognizing and being captivated by someone’s beautiful soul. Peter confirms this in 1 Peter 3:4. He writes, “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
It truly is what’s inside that matters.
Our one year wedding anniversary (six total years together!!) is coming up, and despite how cliche it might sound, I have to say I cannot believe how fast time has flown by.
To all my fellow married readers out there: Did you have cake on your wedding day? Why or why not? Also … What did you do for your one year anniversary? I need ideas!
P.S. This cake is for all of my non-gluten-free readers!
- [b]Chocolate Banana Cake:[/b]
- 2 1/4 cups gluten free 1:1 cake flour (or all-purpose flour if not GF)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- [br][b]Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:[/b]
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- 3 1⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
- [br][b]For garnishing:[/b]
- A handful of cherries and berries
- Preheat the oven to 350˚ F and the place rack in the center position. Cut parchment paper into 8″ circles and line the bottom of three 8″ cake pans with the paper. Coat the sides and bottom of the cake pans with coconut oil or nonstick spray.[br][br][b]To make the cake:[/b]
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and white sugar until combined. Add in the eggs, vanilla, mashed bananas and buttermilk and mix until combined.
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder. Slowly add in the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Pour the batter equally into the prepared cake pans.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before turning out to a wire rack to finish cooling.[br][br][b]To make the frosting:[/b]
- In a bowl, beat together the butter, sugar and salt until blended.
- Add in the milk and vanilla and beat for an additional 3-5 minutes or until smooth and creamy.[br][br][b]To assemble the cake:[/b]
- Set one cooled cake on plate and lightly frost the top, leaving a generous amount around the edges. Place the second cake on top and gently press so the frosting squeezes out the sides a bit. Repeat with the second layer and place the third layer on top. Garnish with cherries and berries.
Wow! Pinning! Thank you for sharing your recipe with us at Brag About It!
I love the wedding story – I think it was such an awesome way to make the day special for the two of you!
Thanks Laurie! Enjoy. 🙂
This looks delicious! I love your spatula and cake stand too!
Thanks Judith! Both the spatula and cake stand were gift from very dear friends. I’m glad you like them too!
Happy Anniversary and the cake is perfectly delicious, thanks for sharing this on Dream Create and Inspire.
Also a tiny reminder to link back to our party, we loved that.. Hugs Maria