New Year's Cake

One of my best friends was born on January 1st.

One year, I went to visit her in Oregon to celebrate her birthday and the new year. On the ride back from the airport, she and her mom were going on and on about what cake to make. Chocolate? Carrot? A layer cake for the spectacle or a sheet cake for the ease? Frosting and filling combinations were volleyed back and forth with such velocity it would give you a neck spasm. It went on like this for 20 minutes.

Now I love cake talk, but I had never heard of a new year’s cake. I figured it must be some west coast tradition that New England never adopted (too busy were we with our boiled dinners). Between a proposal for a lemon drizzle and an impassioned defense of funfetti, I interrupted -

“Is new year’s cake a thing or something?”

My friend turned around from the front seat and with amused disappointment scolded me, “For my birthday!”

I had completely forgotten that half the reason for the trip was her birthday. The tyranny of having a birthday on a holiday!

Over the years, that faux pas has turned into a tradition. I never forget her birthday and I always bake a cake. I am proud now to say that new year’s cake IS a thing, or something.

Chocolate Malt Cake recipe c/o Pastry Love, by Joanne Chang.