I used to say that the Frozen Elsa Cake was the pinnacle of my baking success; that was before I made this Longevity Cake for Dad’s 80th celebration. 

So Dad’s big 80th birthday was coming up and I knew I wanted to personally make something for him. Well, because 80 years old is a big deal!

But I just couldn’t find the right theme. Should it be a classic healthy 3-tier fruit cake? A shortcake? A naked cake or a Super Hero Dad cake? Whatever it was, it had to be something grand. I was running out of ideas until I chanced upon the Apple Tree Cake at Hungry Happenings. That’s when I knew – A Longevity Tree Cake. 

We Chinese, assign a deeper meaning to the Evergreen Tree or the Longevity Tree. Seeing the Apple Tree Cake inspired this creation. To wish Dad good health, prosperity and longevity on his 80th birthday! Plus he is the Apple of my eye 🙂

I took a day off work before the Big Day to bake this cake. There was only gonna be room for success! 

The most important, intricate and most difficult piece was the Longevity Tree.

The tree trunk and branches were made out of melted dark chocolate, marshmallow and rice Krispies. 

The leaves were birthed from popcorn meted together with melted green candy and marshmallows.

After the tree was completed, it had to be set in the freezer for at least 4 hours. 

Once properly set, I decorated it with Haribo candy raspberries, sprinkled with a dash of gold dust for that extra lustre.

When it was time for its grand entrance, I carefully placed it on a 16inch x 13inch home-baked chocolate cake. And there it was – the Longevity Cake! 

If you would like more details on how to make the tree, definitely check out the link to the Apple Tree Cake@Hungry Happenings here. 

Truth be told, it felt like I had created the Tree of Life; which was my wish for Dad – A Greater Life@80!  I was so pleased with myself.

For the celebration and that whole week after, you could call me Cheshire Cat; and I would answer because I was certainly grinning like one.