Resources for homemade birthday cake ideas...

[smomom]

I looking for ideas of homemade birthday cakes - not the kind made from Wilton pans, but ones where you use everyday pans to build the shape of the cake. (hopefully that makes sense.) I found some ideas on the Family Fun web site, but I am looking for more. Any ideas for websites or books are greatly appreciated!

If you've made a birthday cake for your child and would like to share the pics - I would love to see them!


thanks!

[SeekerMage]

I know that Good Housekeeping had some ideas, might have some on their website...or perhaps even Martha Stewert. Im not sure...but I know its not that difficult, you just really need your imagination.
Decide what you want to make and make it out of squares or rectangles or circles. For example you can make a tree by taking a 9 x 13 pan and cutting triangles out of the corners and adding them to the bottom for the stem and peicing them together...does that make sence? My mom made a butterfly cake like this for me when I was little out of a 9 x 13 cake. I know I have seen this done for a train using small loaf pans or even a ready made Sara Lee Pound cake just cut into large blocks. If you have an idea of what you wanted to make let me know Im sure I can help you figure it out. (Im good with stuff like that since I quilt and work with square shapes and such)

[Jen in Chicago]

Family Fun books have good ideas too. I made their Tee Time cake which was easy and fun. My SIL used the book for a race car cake and a sun shine, and said they were easy and fun.

[cric]

You might want to do a search on ebay for cut-out cakes. I found a pretty good one a few years back for my sister (forgot the title). It took a while, but one did come up.

[wookiewoo]

ok I couldn't resist trying to explain this one... I loved this at Easter when I was a kid...
My grandma would make 2 round cakes (like a 2 layer, 9" 8" who knows?) and would make a Bunny cake

One circle would be the head and from the other she would cut out two long bunny ears. The left over center would make a bow-tie! I don't know how else to explain but I can try to find a picture if anyone is interested. We would put licorice for wiskers and jelly beans for facial features.

Good luck with your cake!

Heather

[pritchettzoo]

www.familyfun.com has a ton of ideas. Here's a link to their cake finder: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/special/tool/cakefinder_tlp/

I used this castle cake "pattern" for her 1st birthday (it was a princess theme):
http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/Cakes/recipes/special/FF0801CAKE_princesscastle.jpg

This was my rendition:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/14767.jpg

Anna

[smomom]

oooh! that's very pretty. You did a great job!

[new_mommy25]

Awesome cake Anna! All DS got was a Costco cake, lol!

[linsei]

If you can, check out Parents Magazine (May 2004). They had an article about cakes with some really cute ideas (cupcake cake, red barn, guitar, olympic, purse). I did check the site and they have the same stuff as in the article at
http://www.parentsmagazine.com/articles/food_fun/5644.jsp?page=1

If these do not suit your needs go to parentsmagazine.com and do a search for whatever theme you are looking for.

I haven't made anything yet... Have not reached a 1st birthday yet! ;) HTH

Linda

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050428/2/0/1/-5 (http://lilypie.com)

[cma]

Ditto on familyfun and parents

Here's betty crocker's birthday cake site:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/baking/bday/celebrate_birthdays.aspx

I once did a similar cake like the ladybug one from this site - but much less buggy-eyed!!! Their photo creeped me out.

If you decide to make a regular 9x13 cake and want to decorate it with the frozen buttercream method, here are the instructions for this:

http://www.webmall1.com/sweetdreams/frozbutter.htm

Don't use canned frosting as it will not freeze.

Someone here posted instructions, too

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=54971&mode=full

And if you need simple images for putting on your cake...

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

I made 6 inch smash/individual cakes for the kids using the frozen buttercream method for this year's party. I baked and piped the weekend before so all I had to do the night before was frost and plop on the decorations.

Good Luck!

[wookiewoo]

what a cool idea!! I just took an introductory Wilton course, but I think I really like that idea more than making roses! And I know all the kids will like cartoons much better!

Cool post!

Heather

[Jen in Chicago]

I think I have been part of making one of these just about every year of my life! It was always a tradition growing up that I carried on to college and post college.

[Jen in Chicago]

Here is the Family Fun Tee Time cake. The golf cart my SIL had from another cake once upon a time.