Promises, Promises.
My friend Lisa has a little pamphlet cookbook from 1963 called the Mary Poppins Magic Cookbook. Within are a variety of recipes related to the eponymous movie, though none of them is ever mentioned or seen in the movie — like the Fidelity Fiduciary One-Layer Fudge Cake. The book was a cute idea to promote C and H Sugar. For example, the Merry-Go-Round Frosting calls for Magic Frosting Sugar, which we know as confectioners sugar.
I promised Lisa I would make this cake for her birthday… nine years ago. Yes, it took me nine years, but I kept my promise eventually! (Make sure you see Lisa’s reaction following the post!)
In my defense, I have been collecting different parts to make the cake over the years. The canopy was the top of a box of scented candles gifted to us one Christmas; it has taken most of the nine years for it to lose the perfume scent from the candles. The carousel animals — horses, a zebra, a lion, and a camel — came from Etsy.
With just a spoonful of sugar (minus the medicine), I finally made the cake. Not the recipe from the Magic Cookbook; just the general idea. Mine consisted of a single-layer, almond-flavored yellow cake, with vanilla buttercream frosting. Almond was Lisa’s request; she did not want the Fidelity Fiduciary Fudge cake. I made my mother’s simple buttercream frosting, just enough to cover one layer and leave enough for pink decorations.
An historical note: these cakes seem genuinely to have been a thing of the era; I submit the above photo as proof. This is my friend Arden’s 4th birthday, and there I am (the only boy) front and center. Look at the Merry-Go-Round cake her mother made! It is interesting to note that the Mary Poppins Magic Cookbook came out in 1963 and the movie came out in 1964; I guess it was to get everyone excited about the film. (And sell sugar.)
In making this cake, I gained a newfound respect for cake decorators. This is a seriously difficult business, especially if one has shaky hands. I should have skipped the swags and stuck with rosettes. Happily, Lisa didn’t seem to notice and she enjoyed having her cake (finally) and eating it, too.
~ David
Mary Poppins’ Merry-Go-Round Cake
To print this recipe, please click on the tiny printer icon below.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
- scant cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- pinch kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with a disk of parchment.
- In a small bowl, beat together the eggs, yolk, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Using the paddle attachment, mix the butter and oil into the flour mixture at low speed, then increase the speed to medium and mix until light and fluffy— about 2 minutes. Reduce speed back to low and add the egg mixture. Scrape down the sides and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, and drop the pan from a few inches onto the counter 2 or 3 times to even out the batter and get rid of any air bubbles.
- Bake for 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with just a few crumbs. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully take the cake out of the pan, remove the parchment, and let finish cooling on a rack. I cooled the cake upside down so that the bottom becomes the top — and gives a flat surface.
- Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting. Using a handheld mixer at low speed, beat together sugar and butter. Add extracts and milk and increase the speed to medium, adding extra milk by the teaspoon, until the perfect consistency is reached.
- Frost the top and side of the cake, then add 3 drops red food coloring (or your favorite color) to the remainder and mix it in thoroughly for decorating. Transfer the colored frosting to a pastry bag fitted with your preferred piping tip(s). If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can use a sealable quart-sized bag; cut off the corner and squeeze to pipe onto the cake.
- You can make a carousel canopy by taking a circle of decorative paper and cutting along the radius (See? You do need math as an adult!), then pull one side of the radius over the other until it forms a cone, and tape to secure. Decorative straws can be used to hold up the canopy, and cutouts of carousel animals can be glued to long toothpicks or skewers for the final flourish.
- Serves 6.
© 2024 Copyright Cocoa & Lavender
Carolyne
December 16, 2023 at 9:02 amThat is an adorable story and the cake looks like it was worth the wait!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:24 pmI didn’t get to taste the cake but she said it was worth the wait.
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
December 16, 2023 at 9:26 amGood job, David! And darling photo! Which reminded me how children’s parties are supposed to look. Host child invites half a dozen friends, dressed like little ladies and gentlemen, they play, they have cake and punch at the kitchen table, and they’re happy and appreciative. Not the over-the-top, ridiculously expensive, nonsensically elaborate extravaganzas that are children’s parties today. I can’t stand it!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:23 pmThanks, Jean. I do miss the simplicity of earlier times. Sigh.
Jill W Becker
December 16, 2023 at 9:37 amWhat an adorable cake and sweet story. This brings back childhood memories. There was a stationary shop on 6th Street at Tucson Blvd that sold May Day basket kits and paper cake decorations.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:22 pmI wish that store was still there!
Mad Dog
December 16, 2023 at 10:28 amHow fantastic – I’m sure it was worth the wait!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:22 pmShe said it was, Mad Dog!
Jane Sanders
December 16, 2023 at 10:53 amI love the little memoir and thanks for sharing the recipe AND the decorations!
What a wonderful surprise for your lovely friend………..
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:22 pmShe was so happy, Jane! And it was so much fun for me.
Lori Crouch
December 16, 2023 at 11:11 amDavid, I had to send this to our niece, who is a cake maker AND has a baby granddaughter. You’ve made some beautiful dishes over the years, but this is definitely the sweetest!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:20 pmThanks for sharing this with your niece, Lori — I’m sure she will make a much more beautiful version! Thanks for such a kind compliment.
Rebecca Fortier
December 16, 2023 at 11:22 amSuch a sweet memory and post! I loved Mary Poppins (and still have my Mary Poppins doll from childhood)! Such civilized, simple birthday parties back in the day!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:19 pmThings were so different then — it was a wonderful time in the world. Merry Christmas to you and Mary Poppins!
Chef Mimi
December 16, 2023 at 11:55 amOh my goodness what a post! Lisa is a very lucky gal. What a cake! I couldn’t even have made the rosettes. Good job David!!!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:18 pmI felt so inept! But I’m glad I did it! Thanks Mimi.
angiesrecipes
December 16, 2023 at 12:39 pmO gosh…what an amazing cake! Happy Birthday, Lisa!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:17 pmThanks, Angie! It was fun to plan and make.
Sippitysup
December 16, 2023 at 2:13 pmThat picture of you and the girls in 1964 is precious! Almost as precious as the cake. Fun! GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 3:16 pmThanks, Greg. I love that Arden and I are still friends 60 years later…
Eha Carr
December 16, 2023 at 3:59 pmMemories of a very special film . . . a priceless photo of happy children . . . warm hugs for the here-and-now . . . 🙂 !
Cocoa & Lavender
December 16, 2023 at 4:26 pmIt was a lovely time… I miss it.
Eha Carr
December 16, 2023 at 8:54 pm. . . you are a lucky man dearHeart – many do not have the memories to miss . . .
Gaelen
December 16, 2023 at 4:36 pmPlease don’t diss your shaky hands. This looks like a home-made cake, which is what I both remember from growing up and enjoyed making for my child until they were done with it (the jury’s still out, maybe I have a few more homespun frosting years left before he goes to college)? I love your friend’s reaction!!
Xo
Cocoa & Lavender
December 17, 2023 at 7:53 amThank you, my dear friend. It is always good to have a reminder that not everything needs to be “bakery perfect.” If your child is done with cakes, you can always make one for me. 🙂 xox
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
December 16, 2023 at 5:14 pmWhat a cool idea of cake decoration – neat job and it looks pretty. It really reminds me a vintage Christmas tree ornament.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 17, 2023 at 7:53 amI love the idea of this as a Christmas ornament, Ben – very cool!
Jeff the Chef
December 17, 2023 at 11:14 amDavid, this is extraordinary! Or should I say it’s supercalifragilistic? And you definitely shouldn’t apologize for the piping. I think it gives the cake a irreplaceable charming quality. All the more lovely because it brings back childhood memories, and honors your lucky friend!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 17, 2023 at 2:17 pmThank you so much, Jeff! I do believe I prefer supercalifragilistic! Whenever I look on social media and see the perfect cakes that are made, not to mention that incredible chocolate tart you made, I feel I need to up my game a bit!
Ronit
December 17, 2023 at 11:31 amHow thoughtful of you!
This whimsical cake is just perfect for kids birthdays, so no wonder it was popular. Great job! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
December 17, 2023 at 2:17 pmI guess I would add that this cake is perfect for kids of all ages, Ronit! I wouldn’t mind if someone made it for me and I’m 65!
Gerlinde
December 17, 2023 at 12:50 pmDavid, this is incredible sweet . I love it. My comments are not going through again. Let’s hope this one makes it.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 17, 2023 at 2:18 pmThis one came through just fine, Gerlinde! Thank you for your comment and kind thoughts.
Pauline McNee
December 17, 2023 at 5:22 pmOh David, such a beautiful story and Lisa must be a lovely lady for you to go to so much trouble for her. I agree, cake decorating is a work of art but you nailed it my friend. Your cake deserves to be framed really. I have a real love of Mary Poppins, it was the first film I ever went to see at the movie theatre in Rockhampton, my hometown, with my Mum’s cousin who only had sons. It could have been in 1964, when I was 10. Your Magic Cookbook is such a treasure too, I hope that one never gets lost. The librarian in me is screaming out, please preserve it ha, ha. I wonder if any editions of it are still available. (This is one of the reasons I love blogging, so much interesting information to be learned.)
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:51 pmPauline, Lisa is one of my favorite people! I was so lucky to work with her for those years… I do believe I have seen a couple of copies of the magic cookbook on eBay, but for a pretty price! I definitely take good care of it, so the librarian you can relax. I didn’t know you were a librarian; I worked in a library throughout junior high school and high school. (I mostly worked in the children’s room.) I have a major fondness for libraries!
sherry
December 18, 2023 at 2:20 amwell that was very good of you david. she does indeed look happy. a great effort on your part 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:51 pmI can’t tell who had more fun with this cake, Sherry… Lisa or me!
Raymund
December 20, 2023 at 2:22 pmDavid, your story warmed my heart! The Mary Poppins cake adventure is absolutely charming, from the vintage cookbook to the childhood photo (you totally rocked that birthday suit!)
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:52 pmI looked back at those photos of me when I was a child, Raymund, and I still sometimes feel that youthful. This was a very special birthday party with a very special friend.
Marcelle
December 22, 2023 at 1:32 pmI love the story behind this pretty cake, David! I love the old birthday party photo with you and another carousel cake from back in the day, really cool!! I think your cake was worth the wait, and I’m certain your friend does too. What a beautiful gift 🎠🎂This was a fun read my friend, thank you so much for sharing the story and the almond cake recipe too!!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:52 pmThis was definitely a fun post to write, and a fun cake to bake! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marcelle.
Valentina
December 22, 2023 at 11:03 pmI love everything about his post, David! The cake itself, the story around it, the old photo you (adorable!) and friends at age 4, and Lisa’s reaction are all so much fun. LOVE that the canopy was the top of a candle box — it’s absolutely perfect and looks like it was made specifically for your cake. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:53 pmThanks, Valentina! It may have taken me nine years, but at least I did it. It’s also fun, sharing old photographs like that…
Karen (Back Road Journal)
December 23, 2023 at 12:58 pmYou never forgot your promise. She had to be thrilled with the adorable cake.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 26, 2023 at 4:53 pmShe was absolutely thrilled! I presented it to her at a restaurant and requested a table for four so that there would be enough room for the cake at one end.
Christina Conte
December 29, 2023 at 8:39 pmOf course Lisa loved her cake! How could she not? It’s lovely and the old photo is just so cool! I’m a huge Mary Poppins fan, so I would love this cake as well! What a lovely thing to do, David! And I’m sure you’re glad to check that off your list after nine years! haha!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 30, 2023 at 12:35 amYeah, far be it from me to rush into something! Haha. It made me want to watch both movies and the story of PL Travers.
2pots2cook
January 5, 2024 at 3:01 amSo totally agree to Jean!!!!!!
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2024 at 9:21 amAnd you aren’t alone, Davorka!
Judee
January 6, 2024 at 8:27 amWhat little girl ( or big girl) would love a Merry Go Round cake. Thanks for the background info. The birthday photo brings back memories of that time period and notice how dressed up and fancy the little girls were in their best dresses for a party. Your cake looks amazing.
Cocoa & Lavender
January 6, 2024 at 9:23 amIt is fun hearing all the reactions about the old photo. I love that I’m still friends with her. I should maje her a Merry-Go-Round cake when she visits again.