happy birthday to me

i turned 28 this week, and my family came over on sunday for birthday cake. we had a fun time with the kids and "daisy dog" (kate calls her).my mom made my favorite cake. (the better than almost-anything betty crocker recipe- see below)
johnny had to take a turn blowing out the candle
mimi with the kids
kate enjoyed it!


cake recipe
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® German chocolate cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs as called for on cake mix box
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 jar (16 to 17 oz) caramel, butterscotch or fudge topping
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup granulated or powdered sugar
1 cup toffee bits
1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening.
2. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pan.
3. Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 15 minutes.
4. With handle of wooden spoon, poke top of warm cake every 1/2 inch. Drizzle milk evenly over top of cake; let stand until milk has been absorbed into cake.
5. Drizzle with caramel topping. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cover; refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.
6. In chilled large bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream over top of cake. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Store covered in refrigerator.