SHOP FOR BIRTHDAY CAKES

The birthday cake is the grand finale of a party. The lights go out, the singing begins and in it comes all lit up. When we look back at photographs of birthday celebrations, we usually see a picture of someone blowing out candles on the cake.

Children love a cake to look good – it’s more important than the taste! kid's birthday cakes should look generous and special whether this is because it’s smothered in sweeties and chocolates or because it is in an unusual shape of a favourite character or animal.

Quick kid's birthday cakes ideas- it is all in the decoration!

You may not have the time to create a birthday cake from scratch; after all there are the games to plan, the balloons to blow up and the sausages to sizzle. If you are short of time, concentrate on the decoration! A simple party cake can have a wow factor just through decoration and the way that it is displayed. See below some great cake decoration ideas;

Buy some plain sponge slabs or sponge cakes from your local supermarket or bakery. You can cut them into whatever shapes you choose and “stick “together with icing, sticky chocolate or jam. Smother the whole thing with coloured or chocolate icing or buttercream and your plain canvas is ready......

Cover completely with chocolate buttons, dolly mixtures and other pretty, small sweets. Little children always pick off the sweets from a decorated cake and usually leave the sponge bit.

Unusual and striking candles can become the main feature of the cake. This is a great birthday cake idea for older kids. There are various unusual candles available including alphabetical, numbers and some great shapes.

Use cake stand. These have a knack of making any plain cake look fit for royalty! They now come in great colours for kid's birthday cakes and can be used for fruit, sandwiches etc long after the party is over. Urchin have created fantastic birthday cake trays to dish the cake slices out...because remember eating the cake is the most exciting bit!

Shaped childrens birthday cakes

If you want to be brave and create a shaped cake there are plenty of different shaped moulds that are available for hire in a good cake or kitchenware shop. Alternatively, cake moulds and birthday cake kits are a good buy- make sure they come with full instructions.

Cakes delivered to your door

If all the above still sends shivers down your spine why not try a mail order cake. Urchin's mail order cakes can be personalised and come in a beautiful gift tagged and re-useable hat box. Filled with sprinkles and paper it is a great suprise! If you are unable to attend someone specials birthday this would be a great present.

The fairy cake pile

Nigella advocates a pile of small cakes heaped up on a fairy cakes stand or tiered cake stand on the top layer. This is a great birthday cake idea, it looks dramatic and is easy to achieve. Anyone can rustle up a big batch of fairy cakes and then decorate. This picture shows a friend’s wedding “cake” - the most beautiful I’ve seen; inspiration indeed!

Some facts about birthdays and birthday cakes