birthday cake

esperanza · 07-07-2014, 12:22 PM

Ds' birthday is coming up soon. We are having a party for some friends and family. I have found a few no-sugar cake recipes, and I plan to make one for ds to eat. I think everyone else will be expecting regular cake.

I could get a bakery cake, but I am not a big fan of those. One, all the artificial stuff. Two, I often think they taste artificial. There are some nicer bakeries though (not grocery store cakes), so maybe we'll go that route.

I could bake a cake too. I can bake. I cannot decorate. Cannot. Is there any way to make a cake without needing to actually do all the decorating/fancy stuff? I mean, could I make it look like a nice cake? It would obviously be a lot cheaper...

Of course the other problem is how much to make, since hardly anyone has rsvp'ed. Grrr. Looking for ideas on how to make a cake (recipes welcome too!!), make it look like a nice birthday cake, but requiring zero cake decorating skills. That's a tall order, huh?

Kiara.I · 07-07-2014, 12:58 PM

Sure! You could do a single layer cake, pile whipped cream on top and arrange sliced fruit. Done.

I can personally vouch for this cake, it's wonderful. I've never made the icing suggested or used fruit with it, I've done it for the kids' birthdays (and therefore decorated it

) but the cake part is awesome. And, as you can see, the suggested serving does not require cake decorating skills!
http://www.chatelaine.com/recipe/wor...-summer-fruit/

Sparrow · 07-07-2014, 01:01 PM

Kiara.. Not fair. I want that cake NOW!!

Whipping cream is good because you can always adjust the sweetness.

Kiara.I · 07-07-2014, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Kiara.. Not fair. I want that cake NOW!!

Sorry. Chatelaine, what can I say? Good recipes...

Sparrow · 07-07-2014, 01:07 PM

Their recipes are always fabulous.

esperanza · 07-07-2014, 01:24 PM

Oh my, that looks great! And maybe slightly healthier with fruit, right?! I should probably make one as a practice run.

Thank you!!

Kiara.I · 07-07-2014, 01:40 PM

Yes.

Yes, I'm sure it's very healthy. Yup.

And you should *definitely* make a practice run...

My cousin (at my son's party) asked me for only a small slice because she really doesn't like cake. Then she asked for seconds.

Aerynne · 07-07-2014, 03:30 PM

I don't like baking cakes but love to decorate.

I agree that arranging fresh fruit on top will look nice. Do it right before the party if you're going to do that. Sprinkles also look nice (probably not in addition to fruit). Another thing that can be good and easy is putting some toys on the cake as decorations, something like Schleich animals, toy trucks, something like that depending on your child's interests.

As for ordering cakes, I really normally don't like bakery cakes but I think Costco's cakes are delicious. They are also huge, which can be a problem (or not).

mamaKristin · 07-07-2014, 03:39 PM

cupcakes are easy too. I made a LOT of cupcakes for my DH's birthday last weekend, and my (cheap) frosting bags all broke, so most of the them were just smeared with icing, and prettied up by adding a raspberry, or sprinkles, depending on the flavour.

mummy2boys · 07-07-2014, 04:47 PM

I also do lots of cupcakes with different toppings. I used to feel like it was a cop-out but now I know Kristin does it too I feel good

mamaKristin · 07-07-2014, 07:15 PM

We did three different kinds of frosting for DH's birthday, I frosted 75 cupcakes

We have 4 left.

gerberadaisy · 07-07-2014, 08:17 PM

I'm thinking of doing something like this for the next birthday cake I need. That way I could put the icing or other toppings on the side & they can decide how much or how little they want.

Contented in FL · 07-07-2014, 08:30 PM

I love the idea of making sundaes and serving each item in a different toy truck! Maybe next year; our son loves "beep beeps"!

Sent from my YP-GI1 using Tapatalk 2

Virginia · 07-07-2014, 08:43 PM

I can't decorate, but I invested in one of the Wilton decorating sets a couple years ago and I have gotten my $17 worth out of it! http://www.wilton.com/store/site/pro...6956&killnav=1

It's awesome for cupcakes or for adding some flair to a cake after it's been iced.

Also...I love icing

Nom nom nom. This thread makes me want some. No cake...just icing

esperanza · 07-08-2014, 11:17 AM

Great ideas everyone!

Good to know about the Costco cakes. We do have one, but we aren't members. Not sure I know anyone who is. I'm guessing you have to be a member to get a cake...

That truck idea is adorable! I'm going to remember that for another year. We're doing a Mexican fiesta theme, so that doesn't really go, but it's super cute!

Cupcakes... that's a good idea! I like the idea of different toppings too. Did you (collective you who have done cupcakes) do anything special with them? It feels like we should do something to say "happy birthday ds" or something other than putting out a plate of cupcakes. But he'll have his one little cake. I did get a candle in the shape of a 1 today for him to blow out. I could just put something on his cake. Or I could line up the cupcakes and put a letter on each one, but then there goes any other decorating... I know there are probably 3 million ideas on pinterest but I'm not on pinterest. For this exact reason. I would get sucked in and spend hours looking at ideas. Can't go there.

Good thought on the cake decorating kit too. My BIL had a short stint decorating cakes for friends' weddings. I'm going to email him to see if he still has anything. I bet he does, and I'm sure I could borrow it. It can't be that hard, right? Or better yet, I could get my mom to help. She'd be much better at it than I am!

Could I turn the previous vanilla cake recipe into cupcakes? Just bake for less time. Should be okay, right?

07-07-2014, 12:22 PM	#1
esperanza Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5,240	birthday cake Ds' birthday is coming up soon. We are having a party for some friends and family. I have found a few no-sugar cake recipes, and I plan to make one for ds to eat. I think everyone else will be expecting regular cake. I could get a bakery cake, but I am not a big fan of those. One, all the artificial stuff. Two, I often think they taste artificial. There are some nicer bakeries though (not grocery store cakes), so maybe we'll go that route. I could bake a cake too. I can bake. I cannot decorate. Cannot. Is there any way to make a cake without needing to actually do all the decorating/fancy stuff? I mean, could I make it look like a nice cake? It would obviously be a lot cheaper... Of course the other problem is how much to make, since hardly anyone has rsvp'ed. Grrr. Looking for ideas on how to make a cake (recipes welcome too!!), make it look like a nice birthday cake, but requiring zero cake decorating skills. That's a tall order, huh? __________________ Wife to mi amor Mama to my gift from the Lord (07/2013)

07-07-2014, 12:58 PM	#2
Kiara.I Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Pacific South-West. You know, north of the Pacific North-West Posts: 12,922	Re: birthday cake Sure! You could do a single layer cake, pile whipped cream on top and arrange sliced fruit. Done. I can personally vouch for this cake, it's wonderful. I've never made the icing suggested or used fruit with it, I've done it for the kids' birthdays (and therefore decorated it ) but the cake part is awesome. And, as you can see, the suggested serving does not require cake decorating skills! http://www.chatelaine.com/recipe/wor...-summer-fruit/ __________________ ENTP fits me to a T, though it took me forever to figure it out! DYT Type 3, Enn. Type 1 (hold that thought...enneagram crisis...might be a 7!) Sparks (9) ; Spitfire (8); Sprite (4.5)

07-07-2014, 01:01 PM	#3
Sparrow Rose Garden Immerse your soul in love. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 17,611	Re: birthday cake Kiara.. Not fair. I want that cake NOW!! Whipping cream is good because you can always adjust the sweetness. __________________ Manda Mama to: Bear 16.75 Funny and Tender. Larger than life. ENFP Max 14 Affectionate and Spirited. Artist Chickadee 8! She's Sunshine and Song. Born in the caul We have a fur baby. A cat called Charlie

07-07-2014, 01:07 PM	#5
Sparrow Rose Garden Immerse your soul in love. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 17,611	Re: birthday cake Their recipes are always fabulous. __________________ Manda Mama to: Bear 16.75 Funny and Tender. Larger than life. ENFP Max 14 Affectionate and Spirited. Artist Chickadee 8! She's Sunshine and Song. Born in the caul We have a fur baby. A cat called Charlie

07-07-2014, 01:24 PM	#6
esperanza Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5,240	Re: birthday cake Oh my, that looks great! And maybe slightly healthier with fruit, right?! I should probably make one as a practice run. Thank you!! __________________ Wife to mi amor Mama to my gift from the Lord (07/2013)

07-07-2014, 01:40 PM	#7
Kiara.I Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Pacific South-West. You know, north of the Pacific North-West Posts: 12,922	Re: birthday cake Yes. Yes, I'm sure it's very healthy. Yup. And you should definitely make a practice run... My cousin (at my son's party) asked me for only a small slice because she really doesn't like cake. Then she asked for seconds. __________________ ENTP fits me to a T, though it took me forever to figure it out! DYT Type 3, Enn. Type 1 (hold that thought...enneagram crisis...might be a 7!) Sparks (9) ; Spitfire (8); Sprite (4.5)

07-07-2014, 03:30 PM	#8
Aerynne Rose Garden Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 27,359	Re: birthday cake I don't like baking cakes but love to decorate. I agree that arranging fresh fruit on top will look nice. Do it right before the party if you're going to do that. Sprinkles also look nice (probably not in addition to fruit). Another thing that can be good and easy is putting some toys on the cake as decorations, something like Schleich animals, toy trucks, something like that depending on your child's interests. As for ordering cakes, I really normally don't like bakery cakes but I think Costco's cakes are delicious. They are also huge, which can be a problem (or not). __________________ Erin born of water and of the Spirit 4/96 married 5/02 Mama to: 2004 2007 2010 2012 2017 2019 Jan 2, 2024 And many I hope to hold in heaven one day

07-07-2014, 03:39 PM	#9
mamaKristin Rose Garden parenting better than I garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: just here :) Posts: 26,586	Re: birthday cake cupcakes are easy too. I made a LOT of cupcakes for my DH's birthday last weekend, and my (cheap) frosting bags all broke, so most of the them were just smeared with icing, and prettied up by adding a raspberry, or sprinkles, depending on the flavour.

07-07-2014, 04:47 PM	#10
mummy2boys Moderator in We'd Love to Meet You, Let's Talk, High Need/Spirited Children, Joyous Homekeeping, and The Cookbook Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 16,027	Re: birthday cake I also do lots of cupcakes with different toppings. I used to feel like it was a cop-out but now I know Kristin does it too I feel good __________________ Alysia Married to the love of my life Mama to 2 wonderful boys Waiting to meet 3 in heaven 2/2005, 5/2007 & 8/2011 Striving, with God's help, to be a gentle mother each day Last edited by mummy2boys; 07-07-2014 at 04:47 PM. Reason: fix emoticon

07-07-2014, 07:15 PM	#11
mamaKristin Rose Garden parenting better than I garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: just here :) Posts: 26,586	Re: birthday cake We did three different kinds of frosting for DH's birthday, I frosted 75 cupcakes We have 4 left.

07-07-2014, 08:17 PM	#12
gerberadaisy Rose Trellis Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,313	Re: birthday cake I'm thinking of doing something like this for the next birthday cake I need. That way I could put the icing or other toppings on the side & they can decide how much or how little they want.

07-07-2014, 08:30 PM	#13
Contented in FL Rose Blossom Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 147	Re: birthday cake I love the idea of making sundaes and serving each item in a different toy truck! Maybe next year; our son loves "beep beeps"! Sent from my YP-GI1 using Tapatalk 2

07-07-2014, 08:43 PM	#14
Virginia Rose Garden Don't mind my faces. They usually don't mean anything. Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 8,644	Re: birthday cake I can't decorate, but I invested in one of the Wilton decorating sets a couple years ago and I have gotten my $17 worth out of it! http://www.wilton.com/store/site/pro...6956&killnav=1 It's awesome for cupcakes or for adding some flair to a cake after it's been iced. Also...I love icing Nom nom nom. This thread makes me want some. No cake...just icing __________________ Christine WAHM as writer/editor; part-time high school teacher; wife to pharmacist DH since 7.31.2010 Lila in heaven, 8/2015 DD1 "KO" born 8/2017 DD2 GIRL born 1/2020 My Blog- full of opinions and teacher stories

07-08-2014, 11:17 AM	#15
esperanza Rose Garden Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5,240	Re: birthday cake Great ideas everyone! Good to know about the Costco cakes. We do have one, but we aren't members. Not sure I know anyone who is. I'm guessing you have to be a member to get a cake... That truck idea is adorable! I'm going to remember that for another year. We're doing a Mexican fiesta theme, so that doesn't really go, but it's super cute! Cupcakes... that's a good idea! I like the idea of different toppings too. Did you (collective you who have done cupcakes) do anything special with them? It feels like we should do something to say "happy birthday ds" or something other than putting out a plate of cupcakes. But he'll have his one little cake. I did get a candle in the shape of a 1 today for him to blow out. I could just put something on his cake. Or I could line up the cupcakes and put a letter on each one, but then there goes any other decorating... I know there are probably 3 million ideas on pinterest but I'm not on pinterest. For this exact reason. I would get sucked in and spend hours looking at ideas. Can't go there. Good thought on the cake decorating kit too. My BIL had a short stint decorating cakes for friends' weddings. I'm going to email him to see if he still has anything. I bet he does, and I'm sure I could borrow it. It can't be that hard, right? Or better yet, I could get my mom to help. She'd be much better at it than I am! Could I turn the previous vanilla cake recipe into cupcakes? Just bake for less time. Should be okay, right? __________________ Wife to mi amor Mama to my gift from the Lord (07/2013)

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