There are few things more memorable in parents' lives than their child's first birthday. Make it special by cooking up a homemade cake to celebrate. This recipe is a classic triple-layer yellow cake, made with egg yolks instead of whole eggs.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with waxed paper, and grease and flour the pans.

• Cream the butter with 1 cup of sugar. When mixed, add flour, salt and baking powder.

• Beat in egg yolks, one at a time. Add vanilla and last ½ cup sugar.

• Fill each cake pan about halfway; then bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Cool in the pans for about 10 minutes; then remove onto wire racks and let the cakes cool completely.

Quick Cake Frosting

For a triple layer cake, beat ½ cup butter with an electric mixer. Once the butter is fluffy, gradually add 3 cups of confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons of milk or water. Continue mixing until the frosting is a spreadable consistency. If it's too runny, add more sugar; if it's too stiff to spread, just add more liquid.