Pat-A-Cake, Pat-A-Cake, Baker's (Wo)man, Bake Me A Cake As Fast As You Can!

When we got engaged and started talking about where we were going to live, I had a small list of requirements. 

When we decided on Bergen, Norway as our new home, my list became even more specific. Here's what I wanted: 

1. A guest bedroom. 

2. The bathroom away from the living room. 

3. A Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. 

Check, check, and...check! 

Our apartment has a guest room, the bathroom around the corner from the living room, and now, as of yesterday, a brand spankin' new stand mixer. 

The newest addition to our home sweet home: 

Ain't it a beauty??

Kitchen Aid's are notoriously expensive here. In the states, you can get a mixer for about $250, or if you're my sister, you can find a misprint in an advertisement and get it $150 (which is how my love for these mixers started). I always thought that was slightly expensive...until I moved here. If I could a mixer that was even $300 here I would be amazed. If I could find one here for $500 I would still be amazed. 

Get ready, you might want to sit down. We found a mixer that was "on sale" for 4998 NOK. How much does that cost, you might ask? Well, (seriously, sit down and take a deep breath) that's about $885. Gosh, just looking at that price made my heart jump. 

After happily carrying this out of the mall (okay Stian carried it...it's pretty heavy!), I couldn't wait to get it home. I cleared a spot on the counter next to the coffee maker and washed up all the pieces. 

I hauled out my favorite cookbook, and turned to a favorite cake recipe: Angel Food. I made a grocery list and practically ran up to REMA 1000 (the local grocery store; pronounced ray-mah too-sen) to pick up some ingredients for the cake and whipped cream I planned to make to go with it. 

And so, I baked. I hadn't baked in too long, so I was a little bit nervous. Angel Food cakes can be finicky if you're not careful, and I really wanted this to be perfect. 

I've had my eye on a cake plate that was in a store in the center of the city, and thought that my first cake needs to be on a good cake plate. So I tossed the cake in the oven, ran down to the bybanen (the light rail system) in time to just barely catch one. I rode into the city, jumped off and ran into the little mall called Xhibition, grabbed the plate I needed and dashed home. It took me about 40 minutes, and I made it home just in time to invert the cake as soon as I walked in the door. ( Angel Food cakes have to be flipped over right after you take them out of the oven). 

Stian's parents came by, and I got a chance to share what I had made. It was a success! :) 

My new darling cake plate and the server we got as a wedding present...and a half-eaten cake. 

We cut up some fresh strawberries and I made whipped cream (for the first time!) and it was delish! 

While eating cake, I remembered that today, the 16th of October, is my dear Grandma's 85th birthday. How appropriate to be eating cake! And Mom's birthday is in just a few days as well. Since I couldn't be there to celebrate, I ate an extra piece and thought of you both. 

Getting back into one of my favorite hobbies has been so refreshing. I haven't baked in a long time (maybe even 2 years!), so I was happy to be doing something I loved again and be able to share it with others. 

It's been a good weekend. 

:)