Fluffy Buttermilk Biscuits

Is there anything better than a fluffy, warm biscuit on a weekend morning?  Pancakes?  Waffles?  Nah.  The Biscuit is where it's at.  Golden on the outside and soft on the inside, still steaming from the oven when you pull it apart.  Ready for jam or honey or gravy or even a little egg sandwich.  It's the rustic, unassuming hero of breakfast foods.

Neapolitan Birthday Cake

 

One of the best parts of being a baker with a birthday is that it's the perfect excuse to make whatever kind of cake your heart desires.  No need to cater to anyone's taste but your own.  For my own birthday this year I had my friends over for a full meal of my favorite comfort foods - fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, mac and cheese... I spent the whole day in the kitchen and it was well worth it.  But the cake is the star of any birthday, so I wanted to make something a little special.