Birthdays obviously hold a lot of charm and excitement for kids. It’s a special occasion for them and since they look forward to it from months before it actually arrives, preparations and ideas start coming way before the big day. They participate in select their birthday dress, make a list of invitees, decide the menu, choose the theme and just go about doing a whole lot of other things.
But it is the birthday cake that is the center of attraction for the kids. Ask any child about his favourite foods and the cake is sure to figure among the top ones. Can we imagine a kid birthday without a cake? No, obviously we can not imagine their birthday’s without the cake cutting ceremony. Though children are also eager to receive gifts from guests, nothing can replace the children’s fancy for birthday cakes. Getting the best cake is one of the prime tasks out of the various ones while planning a birthday bash.
The birthday cake should not just taste good, but kids also enjoy the shape, color and size of the birthday cake. Just be imaginative and creative while choosing your kids birthday cake. There are innumerable ideas for cake designs, such as flower box cake, dragon cake, sports ball cake, balloon cake, gift wrapped cake, etc. The color of the cake can be selected keeping in mind the child’s favorite color or the décor and theme of the party.
The birthday cake matches the theme
Traditionally, classic birthday cakes have included family favourites such as Chocolate cake, Double-Chocolate Pudding Cake, Ice-Cream Brownie Layer Cake, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Slow Cooker Chocolate Mud Cake, Yellow Cake.
But, a birthday cake with a theme is definitely more attractive. If the cake design complements the birthday theme and is meaningful, it will earn you appreciation from all guests. So, if you have chosen nautical to be your child’s birthday theme then the cake design ideas can include fish cake, mermaid cake, Pail of Sand Cake, Snorkeler Cake, Sunglasses Cake, Under the Sea Cake, etc.
A holiday theme can have a mountain ski resort, a cruise ship, a train and if you are blessed with a kid interested in sports then choose a cricket ground, a baseball match or a football stadium.
Other popular designs include Penguin birthday cake, Ice cream cone cake, castle cake, Dinosaur cake, Pastel butterfly cake, a smiley face, a cute hopping bunny or a tea table setting with cups and saucers.
Next comes the decoration. The birthday cake for your prince or princess should be beautifully decorated using flowers, geometric patterns, cartoon characters, silver balls and of course lots of icing. And the last but not the least, the table on which the cake is to be placed should also be decorated in the same theme..
And if you want that special mother’s touch to the cake then put on the apron and bake the Birthday cake yourself.
Here is a wonderfully rich chocolate cake recipe that has been passed through generations of family members. It is extremely delicious, and very easy to make. So just give it a try for the special day!
Triple Layered chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
Cake Ingredients:
1 cup cocoa powder
2 cups boiling water
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs, at room temperature
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Procedure:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease the cake pan.
• Take a small bowl with boiling water, add cocoa powder to it, stir well and keep aside.
• Take another bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix thoroughly all ingredients. Keep aside.
• Mix butter and sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed for 5 minutes.
• Add eggs to the batter and beat well.
• Lower the speed of electric mixer. Blend all the three mixtures- flour, butter and cocoa.
• Add vanilla to the prepared batter, and do not over beat the mixture.
• Place the batter in the prepared pans.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:
1 6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup butter (1-1/2 sticks)
2-1/2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
How to prepare chocolate frosting
• Melt butter in pan and add chocolate chips to it.
• Stir constantly until the chocolate chips melt. Remove from heat.
• Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, and keep stirring.
• Place the pan in a large bowl filled with ice, and beat at low speed with an electric mixer until frosting begins to lose its gloss and holds its shape. If necessary, add a half-teaspoon or so of half-and-half to achieve perfect spreading consistency.
