Party treats to make a young one's day

JAKARTA (JP): A little variation in standard party fare can go a long way in making a child's special day even more reason to celebrate.

Rainbow Cake * 400 grams butter * 300 grams castor sugar * 1 can sweetened condensed milk * 20 egg yolks * 150 grams white flour, sifted * 1 teaspoon baking soda * 10 egg whites, beaten until thick * 1 teaspoon vanilla essence * selection of artificial coloring (red, green, blue, yellow)

Butter cream frosting 125 grams refined sugar

75 grams water 250 grams shortening 100 grams butter

Note: A cake mold in the shape of a train or another children's favorite is needed. Alternately, use a square cake pan (24 cm x 24 cm).

1. Beat the butter and sugar until the mixture turns white and creamy. Do not overbeat. Add the sweetened condensed milk and the vanilla, beating until soft. Add the yolks, stirring continually. 2. Gradually add the flour mixed with the baking soda, carefully stirring it until evenly mixed. Then fold in the egg whites. 3. Divide the mixture into four parts, adding different colors to three but leaving one part plain. 4. Pour 1 tablespoon of the plain mixture into the middle of the mold (greased and lined with baking paper), followed by one tablespoon each of the different colored flours. Continue until all the flour is used. 5. Bake in medium oven until cooked (about 30 minutes). Insert a palm leaf rib or skewer in the center of the cake to check whether it is cooked. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. 6. Remove from the oven and place on a piece of cooking paper until cool. Remove from the tin and decorate with the butter cream frosting.

For the frosting: Boil the water and sugar until it reaches a thick consistency. Beat the egg yolks and add to the hot sugar water. Add the margarine and shortening, and beat the mixture until white. Select the coloring according to taste.

Apply the frosting with an piping bag using a star-tip.

Chocolate Cashews

500 g cashews 800 g dark cooking chocolate

1. Roast the cashews in the oven at medium heat until done, remove and allow to cool.

2. Slice the chocolate thinly and put into a saucepan. Put the saucepan into a pan containing hot (not boiling) water on a medium flame. Let the chocolate melt, but make sure the water does not boil.

3. Stir the chocolate evenly, pour into chocolate cookie molds until they are three quarters full, and then add the cashews. Put into the freezer until solidified.

4. Gently tap the cookie molds until the chocolates are easily removed. Put in paper cookie cups and serve.

Recipes courtesy of Hidangan Pesta Ulang Tahun Anak (Children's Birthday Party Treats) by Doddy Pamudji (PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama/2000).