Alex's Answer
Birthday cake surprise
Your Question
Hey alex. So, its my dads birthday and I wanted to make a chocolate peanut butter cake, but we didn’t have cocoa powder, and there was none at the stores close to us, so I improvised and decided I’d make peanut butter brownies for chocolate icing. Well, I did EXACTLY as the recipe says, and it says to cook for 30 minutes, well… Its been 30 minutes.. And… THEY’RE STILL GOOEY! Maybe our oven isn’t hot enough yet or something..?? Idk. I didn’t preheat it for a while so that might be it. I’m 12 and I’m an aspiring baker/chef. And I tried making icing but I forgot to heat the milk and flour up before I mixed it all. Yes I knows brownies dont need icing.. But still..I was planning to put Reeses peanut butter cups on top, but I don’t know. I’m overwhelmed and I just wanted a nice 50th birthday for my dad. His hair isn’t even white yet! Its still dark brown! Some grey hairs but still. Anyways, I just had to rant. Sorry lol. I just feel like I ruined it. I haven’t told him what I’m making, so yeah. I’m not sure how what I should do.
Answer
Hey there, welcome to Ask Alex
First of all, we want to say that it’s amazing that you’re taking the initiative to make something special for your dad’s birthday! It’s clear that you have a lot of passion for baking and cooking, and that’s a wonderful skill to have. We can understand how frustrating it must be when things don’t turn out the way you planned, especially when you’ve put in so much effort and care.
It sounds like there might have been a couple of hiccups along the way, like forgetting to preheat the oven and not heating the milk and flour for the icing. But you know what? That’s totally ok! Baking is all about learning and experimenting, and sometimes things don’t always go as expected. It doesn’t mean you’ve ruined everything; it just means you’re gaining valuable experience for next time.
As for the brownies being gooey after 30 minutes, it could be because the oven wasn’t fully preheated, or perhaps the recipe needs a little adjustment. You could try leaving them in for a bit longer, keeping an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. As for the icing and the peanut butter cups, why not go ahead and give it a try anyway? Sometimes the best creations come from unexpected combinations.
Your dad will surely appreciate the effort and thought you put into making something special just for him, regardless of how it turns out. Remember, it’s ok to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re trying to do something nice for someone you care about. Don’t be too hard on yourself. What matters most is the love and thoughtfulness behind the gesture.
If you ever need someone to talk to or go through what options are available to you, you can always reach out to the Childline Team. We’re here to support you, no matter what, and we’ll always lend a listening ear without judgment. We are open 24 hours a day, every day; contact us free by Messenger at www.Childline.ie; the service is non-judgmental and confidential.
You’re doing great, and your dad is lucky to have such a caring and creative child like you. Keep up the great work, and happy baking!
Alex