Happy Birthday to You!

The tradition of celebrating birthdays with a cake dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans. In Greece, people offered round or moon-shaped cakes to Artemis, the goddess of the moon and hunting, to celebrate her birthday. The Romans also celebrated birthdays with cake, which they called "tortas".

However, the modern birthday cake with candles on top is said to have originated in Germany during the 18th century. According to the tradition, Germans would light candles on cakes to celebrate Kinderfest, a birthday celebration for children. The number of candles on the cake would correspond to the age of the child, and an extra candle would be added to symbolize the hope of living for another year.

The tradition of birthday cake with candles soon spread throughout Europe and eventually to other parts of the world. Today, birthday cakes come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, but the tradition of blowing out candles on a cake and making a wish remains a popular and cherished tradition in many cultures.

While the song "Happy Birthday to You" is considered to be the most recognized and commonly sung song in the world. It was composed by two American sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill, in the late 19th century. Originally, the song was called "Good Morning to All" and was written as a simple greeting song for young students in school.

The tune became popular and was adapted for use as a birthday song. It is not clear when the words "Happy Birthday to You" were first added to the melody, but it is believed to have happened sometime in the early 20th century. By the 1930s, the song had become a standard part of birthday celebrations in the United States.

In 1935, the rights to the song were purchased by the music publishing company, Warner/Chappell, which has since collected millions of dollars in royalties for the use of the song in films, TV shows, and other public performances. In 2015, a federal court ruled that the song was in the public domain, and it can now be used freely without paying royalties.

Today, the tradition of singing "Happy Birthday to You" is practiced all over the world and has become an integral part of birthday celebrations, often accompanied by the lighting of candles on a birthday cake and making a wish.

There are many variations of birthday cake recipes, but a classic vanilla cake with buttercream frosting is a popular choice for many people. Here is a traditional recipe that you can try: 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup whole milk

For the buttercream frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and mixing until just combined.

6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

7. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

For the buttercream frosting:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

2. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until well combined.

3. Beat in the vanilla extract and heavy cream until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

4. If the frosting is too thick, add more cream a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.

To assemble the cake:

1. Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate and spread a layer of frosting on top.

2. Place the second cake layer on top of the first and spread frosting on the top and sides of the cake.

3. Decorate the cake with additional frosting or decorations as desired.

Enjoy your traditional birthday cake!