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. Katherine Villalon says:

    I have not made a really cool birthday cake lol but I did make the best "cell' cake for biology and it was 3D and everything 😀

  2. Leighanne M says:

    Not baked anything apart from cupcakes but need to bake my daughters first birthday cake soon yikes x

  3. Jennai says:

    I made my son a cake once shaped like a train. Cute.
    JenniferAnne74 @ aol.com

  4. lisa owen says:

    looked at these cakes and wished I was more creative my kids would love me

  5. Hayley Mulgrove says:

    No but i am just learning to bake so this would be great

  6. mouseybabe says:

    I have never made a special cake, just the persons favourite cake.

  7. Kay leigh says:

    I always bake my kids cakes

    Kay panayi

  8. Justine Meyer says:

    Yes I have done quite a few, it is getting to be my little hobby

  9. tinysidsmum says:

    I made the 3 bears in a bed cake for daughter when she was 5

  10. Jaycee says:

    Well I tried to make a train cake when one of my sons was younger, luckily he was quite young & accepted it for what it was. I'm quite creative but not where cakes are concerned. Would love this to help with my grandchildrens birthdays, got a 4th birthday coming up I need a great cake for. He's into Underbirds (yes Thunderbirds) the oldest series, so maybe a Tracey Island type might be good for him.