How To Make The Perfect BIRTHDAY CAKE | Dessert Person 

What kind of cake do you request on your birthday? Leave a comment!

Claire: "It's easy" Also Claire: episode full of chaos

I super don't envy Claire having to frost a layer cake like this in the middle of summer but honestly this video felt so real. I really loved this recipe when I made it.

Claire: Ugh, this is terrible. The cake is overbaked, the frosting is overwhipped, nothing is working out the way I envisioned Viewers/Claire's fans: Yasssss love the chaos in this video 👏👏👏

The chaos this episode is *chefs kiss*. Loved this one!

“Take it home to your children, get it out of my sight.” Okay but Claire being 1000000000% done with the cake this episode is so incredibly entertaining

ahh the beautiful juxtaposition of calming clips and Claire's chaotic energy.

Vinny: Like Russian dolls. Claire: Never saw it. Vinny: It’s not a movie, it’s a thing! 😂

Claire saying sorry to Maya for disturbing her by entering her own room is such a relatable cat owner thing to do.

Vinny really said - while you wait for the 3M Subs drunk baking video, here's caffeine buzzed Claire. 😂

claire: that one’s for looks also claire: don’t look too hard😀

Was this like Day 3 of caking or something??? Some major Day 3 energy here…

when i woke up today I didn’t expect that i would see claire frosting a cake in front of an AC so thank you for the home baker representation

The zoom-ins aligning with the pulsing of the mixer had me DEAD 😂

I love how chaotic this is.. so realistic to most people’s experience in the kitchen, not like some other cooking channels that makes everything look so perfect and then makes us amateur cooks feel bad about ourselves when our cooking doesn’t go as well as them. Thanks Claire for making chaos in the kitchen a normal thing!

Thank you for showing the "not according to plan" bits. It's such a comfort to know even the pros have their moments.

“we need some positive affirmations here, guys.” Vinny knows what Claire needs on all fronts

The juxtaposition of the gorgeous cake/classical music and the iced coffee-induced chaos/upbeat drums is TRULY my daily vibe, the editor really gets me

This is the perfect thing to watch while sewing

I appreciate how you didn't redo this in order for it to be "perfect." It is so much more fun and makes it so much more accessible for me as a non-baker.

I love Claire's energy. She just casually has a sharp knife teetering on the edge of her table as part of an unstable support system for a 3layer cake slice....blade facing her. "Whatever, it's fine"

I love the human aspect of Claire and this channel. There's so much polished perfection on baking channels that it's nice to see that even an amazing baker like Claire has rough times. Makes me feel less bad about my many many many baking screw ups!😙

Could y’all add a camera angle that’s aimed into the mixing bowl cause sometimes it’s nice to know what texture the mixture is supposed to be at each stage

This was the funniest episode I’ve ever seen. Having the piece start to slide over was hysterical.

For as long as I can remember my mom has made me a yellow cake with chocolate frosting as my birthday cake. I’ve never met anyone else who considers that the traditional birthday cake! You just made my day.

If this is caffeine Claire, I would love to see a drunk Claire episode 😂 so much chaos!

Bleep is Philadelphia cream cheese. Which is weird since in the Carrot Cake episode Claire bluntly promoted Philadelphia - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ou3zj0R0Gus.html

Glad to see that even Claire struggles with her oven from time to time lol mine always requires extra 10~15 minutes more than the recipe requires

Claire’s “mess” is my masterpiece and I will take that to my grave

"It's less sad than it sounds." - Never change, Claire :D

I appreciate the absolute chaotic reality of this chapter. Watching you cope with temperamental cakes, mixers, cream cheese, etc. helps make baking much more accessible!!

Whenever I see a recipe call for "unsweetened chocolate" I have to remind myself really hard to TRUST THE PROCESS, as I do love me some sweet milk chocolate.

Between the chaos, commentary from the team and the editing, this episode was perfection.

Made this cake, it's delicious and exactly what my 10 year old wants for her birthday (or anytime really) :-) A little tip that I do--I keep the parchment scraps from cutting out the rounds for the cake pans and use it for under the cake to frost later. Just rip and pull it away when you're done.

Why I love Claire is that she shows people that in almost every episode, she makes a mistake. Cooking and baking is not always perfect. But we don't have to give up. Thanks, Claire!

This episode made me laugh so much. Claire is so charming. She really just rolled with the punches and simulated an at home chef. So relatable and enjoyable to watch!

I’m at this point of watching this series where the sight of Claire frosting her cake in her bedroom in front of the AC is totally mundane.

25:42 “that one’s for looks….but don’t look too hard” loll 😂 😂

I felt Vinny in this video, and a single tear rolled down my cheek for the glory days of It’s Alive.

The first 35 seconds of this video reminds me of myself when I’m having a mental breakdown while baking but is trying to still look elegant in the kitchen.

By the end, this was the drooping cake from Sleeping Beauty

Claire: "I'm gonna add powdered sugar now" *adds vanilla extract*

The crystals of sugar cut into the butter, yes, yes they do….I couldn’t love this more!!

In my world, I celebrate my birthday by giving gifts to others instead of focusing on getting gifts. It’s a great way to thank God for your birth and life. Making your birthday cake and sharing it with others is a perfect way to celebrate and share your love and life with others.

Not about the vid exactly but I just cast this to my 65" TV as a test and the detail/clarity is phenomenal. Kudos to Vinny and whomever else is involved with production on putting it up in such quality.

Alternate Title: Claire Proves Why Summer Birthdays Get Birthday Pie

This is why I love her. She doesn't pretend that everything is always perfect ♥️

O-M-G Cal and Mike are so handsome and charming!! They should be on camera more!

Claire’s editors are masters of their art. I’m sure the video would still be perfection if it wasn’t cut how it is, but it just adds to the humor and everything. Also, thanks for the hot tip on icing in front of an AC unit! I bake a lot of cakes and have totally been over whipping my icing. I can never get it smooth though it’s always light and airy. I’m excited to make my next cake and have the perfect icing! Perhaps it will be this recipe?

I could NOT stop laughing at the "just for looks" slice being propped up 😂

The little wink edited on the Claire back book photo was so funny

i love how when vinny asked about the crumb coat claire clearly thought he was tryna show off his knowledge so she was like "omg vinny you know all the terms ☺️☺️" we stan an encouraging saffitz

Hi Claire, first off: I‘m a huge fan of yours. I got your baking book in German (as it is easier with the measurements, temperatures, etc.) for Christmas and been using it ever since. For my birthday I got a KitchenAid and was super excited to try the Birthday Cake recipe from your book. I prepped everything for the cream cheese frosting and did everything according to the recipe - sadly, it came out extremely runny and not useable. I made sure to use cream cheese and butter at room temperature, as this is a common mistake when making any cream cheese frosting. After this result, I watched this video to make sure that the recipe from the book and the video go hand in hand. I came to the realization that the recipe from the book didn’t detail the working steps the way you did here. It says that I should add the butter and the cream cheese in the mixer on medium speed. I didn’t say that I should mix the cream cheese first and then, after it is smooth, I have to add the butter little by little. Maybe this was one mistake that made the frosting so runny. Also, it says to put in the powdered sugar and then mix it with the „pulse switch“. I didn’t know about any pulse switch on any KitchenAid and therefore came to the conclusion that I had to mix the powered sugar in at high speed (as this is what is known in Germany as „puls“ aka „quick“). After my whole KitchenAid was full of powered sugar and the frosting didn’t really work out, I had to throw it away. After watching your video, I’m gonna try the recipe again like you’re doing it here. I have to say that I’m pretty bummed out that the German version of the frosting recipe was so different than your version here. Especially because this was the first time I wanted to use my new KitchenAid. It would be great if there was any chance for buyers of your book to get a digital version in the original language. Maybe then there wouldn’t be any translation errors (e.g. the pulse thing and the recipe steps) and you could double check. Otherwise, maybe you could take this feedback and publish a correction of this recipe in the German version for future buyers (a note with a QR-Code or something). Sorry for the long comment. I love your work and your recipes. Hopefully the frosting will be good after the next try! Edit: my boyfriend just bought the original e-book and turns out that the recipe from the original version is exactly the same as the German version. I’m still trying the version from the video but I have to say, that now I can’t fully trust your recipes from the book. Makes me want do doublecheck every recipe with your videos :(

I was having such a bad day cause no one remembered my birthday today and Claire posting a Birthday Cake recipe is the best gift I could ask for.😩😌 Thank you Claire! Finally have something to do today🎂

First of all, major Sleeping Beauty Fauna vibes when you were trying to prop up that cake slice 😂👑. Second, it makes me feel better when not everything Claire makes turns out perfectly because that def happens in my home kitchen even when I think I’m doing everything right. Great video, Claire! Can’t wait to make this!

One thing that I love about this show is that it’s so human. As someone who has very limited baking knowledge and skill, seeing someone who has made a career out of baking make mistakes but still roll with it is very helpful and empowering

How perfectly timed for my birthday tomorrow! I'm going to choose to believe that Claire decided that just for me.

Props to the editor for putting in more little easter egg type edits. It's always fun to see!!

Claire “Do As I Say, Not As I Do” Saffitz

This was by far the most chaotic episode yet. Love it

at 19:38 the subtitles say "maybe we just crunk it on instagram in front of the AC" and I wasn't really expecting that kind of content from Claire but I'm kinda here for it

This episode had lots of Gourmet Makes-level chaotic energy. 👌

I live for the day that we get to know why Claire isn't using her own vanilla extract.

I love Claire's energy, personality...she was so meant for this kind of thing!

Black Forest is my birthday cake of choice.

Thursday's are my favorite now with your show. I always stick around for the cat cam.

Is anyone else extremely concerned that Claire isn’t using her homemade vanilla??

Love love how candid she is because I am the same in the kitchen when I bake something, all over everywhere !!

I really appreciate you showing when things mess up a bit like with the cakes over baking etc. It's nice to see stuff that happens to regular people also happens to professionals. It humanizes you more and makes you more relatable.

frosting a cake in front of an AC is now my aesthetic

this always comes at the perfect time for me. Which is to say I'm usually at a breaking point at 11:00 on Thursdays

I have to say, I love the chaotic energy in these videos. The intense music makes me crack up every single time! Especially because real life baking is literally JUST like this. *hyperventilating as she bakes*

best video ever. period. also ... relatable anyone? this is the most accurate home baking video I think I've ever seen on this platform lol! love it! and it also reminded me of my childhood baking with my grandmother :)

The intro animation is beautiful and it never gets old! I never skip it. It makes my heart happy every week!!!

My wife said “I no longer care about your New York apartment. Take us to your freakin cabin!” 😂

I love how this video is raw and uncut! This makes me feel so much better when I sometimes fail at baking stuff. I often get demotivated and beat myself up. But today I have realized that yes indeed, all of us make mistakes. There is always another day for redemption.

25:34 this is great. All things that happen real life. Love it!

This entire Series is absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much Claire for posting all these recipes on RU-vid!

I like how any normal or novice baker would be absolutely delighted with that outcome, but Claire owns up to the ‘flaws’. But it’s mid summer, she’s in NYC, and her apartment is hot! Not exactly ideal location or condition for icing a cake. With her cookbook ‘Desert Person’ and cooking/showing us how it’s done, she is showing everyone it can be done. I am a proud owner of that book and have made many things from that book. All of which have been delicious!

This is my go to vanilla cake recipe love it sooo much.

Ok can I just say how much I love how Claire bakes in a tiny kitchen much like mine. Gives me an “I can do it too” sort of feel and it makes me relate to many of her kitchen struggles! Thanks Claire! So excited to make this recipe. 💗

14:21 Claire: "Cut the cameras deadass."

the cat cam is the sweetest thing ever

It's fun seeing the whole crew enjoy Claire's creations. You know they are always tasty, but I appreciate it when things go wrong and you still show it. Perfection is not used to describe my baking skills.

My mom and I make this exact cake for each of our birthdays, it's such a simple but delicious classic. It's such a nice tradition.

a wise philosopher once said: anytime something doesn’t turn out, you can blame your oven

new subscriber today - this is perfect and so relateable - pro baker here, by the skin of my teeth - still so much to learn - i can't wait to start watching all your episodes - you are my spirit animal

I honestly love that you included all the things that went wrong because some of these baking shows are too perfect. Like most people watching this are learning so there’s no way they’re going to get it perfect the very first time! I love the realness ❤❤❤❤❤

Vinny busting out his cake-decorating vocab

I loved everything about this whole episode. The candid takes and left-in bloopers continue to make Claire my baking role model

You're a trooper Claire, that's part of the reason we love to watch you do your magic. Yes, the weather outside can effect the tools in the kitchen like ovens. When the weather gets hot natural gas pressure can increases causing more efficient combustion/baking of cakes in this case. As for air conditioners temperature settings and moving the setting to a cooler setting; it doesn't change the temperature of the air coming out of the AC. The AC temperature setting tells the AC compressor when to stop and start. Typically the maximum a residential AC can cool the indoors (by removing heat) is 20 degrees cooler than it is outdoors. I've been know to say that in the kitchen cooking and baking is also a practice in applied physics and science. No two times are there exact results because the initial conditions are never exactly the same. From different conditions, material and chemicals and their interaction, we get to enjoy one of the great pleasures in life, eating. lol. Thank you for being you.

absolutely my favorite episode of dessert person so far lol

this intro really is making me want an iced coffee at midnight, it just looks so good!

Best part of my Thursday! Thank you so much Claire for making sure I have a fun recipe to try this weekend! I agree about the non-stick!

This is almost our family birthday cake…..we add some instant coffee dissolved in a bit of warm water to the icing. Thanks for the presentation tips and thanks for the tea towel trick.

I never ever ever thought I would offer an alternate method or variation and here we are for the FROSTING only start with powdered sugar in the bowl and add either a few shots of espresso or espresso powder or strong brewed (mixer on slow, speeding up as the sugar "melts" then add cream cheese and butter following claire. I also use cocoa powder to control the sweetness (important if you don;t have unsweetened chocolate on hand) Thank you Claire

Great cake. I use my grandmothers cake pans too! It's winter here in Australia. Don't envy the summer you guys are having. Stay cool xx Mel

At home we like to make ‘cakey balls’ by mixing the extra crumbs with a little icing and then shaping it into spheres (hence cakey balls 😃). It’s seriously yum!

The production of these videos is outstanding. Congrats

You are the most positive person even when things go a little crazy.