Book review: Kids’ Birthday Cakes

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You see that fabulous rainbow cake below? Full disclaimer – it’s not one of mine! This, and many other fantastic creations, can be found in a new book which publishes today: Kids’ Birthday Cakes Step by Step.

Rainbow Layer Cake decorated with fondant rainbow

You will find many types of cakes on my blog but you may have noticed that none feature any kind of sugarcraft or intricate fondant creations.

I will raise both hands and declare that I have absolutely no experience with ‘character’ cakes, but greatly admire those who can produce ‘wow’ creations to wheel out at birthday parties.

Kids’ Birthday Parties Step by Step does exactly what it says on the tin: included are 20 cake projects ranging from Monsters to Fairies, Dinosaurs to Ballerinas.

Each project includes detailed step-by-step instructions on how to create the piping effects or fondant decorations, as well as ideas for themed cupcakes and cake pops bringing the overall recipe tally to over 50.

The projects range from the simple to the fairly intricate (especially to a novice like myself) and will appeal to mums and dads who wish to delight their children but also to those who create cakes professionally.

Moon Cake - spherical cake with green fondant aliens

There’s a reference section with cake recipes and basic techniques at the back. Now excuse me,  my son has earmarked the Happy Robot cake or the Dinosaur Egg so I’d better get practicing for his birthday in November…

My Top 10 Birthday Cake Recipes

If you prefer something a little easier I have several recipes that are simply perfect for birthdays and celebrations!

  • My Chocolate Sheet Cake (a.k.a Chocolate Traybake) is incredibly easy to make and decorate – not to mention perfect for sharing!
  • A School Dinner Cake (Vanilla Sprinkle cake) is incredibly popular with just about everyone!
  • This Salted Caramel Layer Cake is my daughter Anya’s fave (pictured below). The incredibly easy Cheat’s Swiss Buttercream is divine!
Girl adding candles to Salted Caramel birthday cake
Chocolate Birthday cake with blown out candles
  • Chocolate lovers will adore this One Bowl Chocolate Cake with the most delectable Chocolate Mascarpone frosting! (pictured above)
  • A sophisticated Tiramisu Layer Cake is perhaps best suited to grown up parties!
  • More experienced bakers might want to give this Mirror Glaze Cake a go! Perfect for Frozen or Space themed birthday parties. You can also switch the mirror glaze colours to suit other themes!
Mirror Glaze birthday cake decorated in a Frozen theme

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35 Comments

  1. Emma Walters says:

    only plain iced ones, not been brave enough yet

  2. Heather Haigh says:

    I have baked lots of birthday cakes but nothing as amazing as these. I think the most appreciated was a fairy castle I made for my daughter. My kids had a joint party one year and I made my son a Sooty Cake and my daughter a Soo one.

  3. Roz says:

    I baked a peppa pig cake for my daughter's 3rd birthday and for my other daughter made her a minnie mouse on her 3rd birthday

  4. AnnaZed says:

    I have – a Hot Wheels cake with fondant flames and real cars.
    ******************
    {in the contest I am Margot Core on the Rafflecopter}

  5. Kim Neville says:

    I have not baked a special themed one yet. Just a normal chocolate cake

  6. Pooky says:

    I try and bake my daughter a special birthday cake every year.

  7. Julie says:

    I've made a few my favourite has to be a fairy toadstool cake I made for my daughter's 5th birthday.

  8. Lorraine says:

    Not a birthday cake, but I did make a cake in the shape of a sofa to celebrate my Brother and Sis-in-law buying a new one!

  9. REBECCA TOWNSEND says:

    Yes, my best was a Dr Who cake

  10. Tracy K Nixon says:

    Yes, I baked a football stadium cake for my son's 10th birthday! I was very proud!