How to decorate a birthday cake (Video)

Ingredients:

For the vanilla cake:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room
    temperature
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/3 cups milk

For the chocolate frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room
    temperature
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room
    temperature
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• Candies and sprinkles for decorating

Boston Cream Pie (Video)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter,
    at room temperature
• 1 2/3 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

For the pastry cream:

• 9 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Large pinch of salt
• 4 Tbs. cornstarch
• 1 vanilla bean
• 2 1/2 cups milk

For the glaze:

• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup plus 1 Tbs. water
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin