Selam Gebrekristos, the coordinator/counselor for the NextUp program at San Diego City College, threw a big birthday bash for former foster youth enrolled at the school. The Dec. 8 event was “the birthday (they) never had,” she said.

How do you make chocolate cake better? It’s a peculiar question for a treat that’s already notoriously indulgent and delicious but the answer here is simple: go international. This Swedish rendition...