How to Make Birthday Cakes for Kids Yourself

Bright bold cakes are the most enticing for children.

Birthday cakes for kids are among the easiest cakes to create. Children enjoy simple, classic basic flavors with over-the-top presentation. Sticking to a basic well-loved chocolate or vanilla cake is the best recipe for success. Decorations and color are key; the more sprinkles you can fit on the cake the better. A kid's birthday cake should be bright, bold and inviting and must suit the palate of even the pickiest of eaters.

Things You'll Need

• Cake
• Frosting
• Food dye
• Sprinkles
• Pastry bag with decorative tips (optional)
• Candles
• Toppers

Instructions

Stick with Basic Flavors

1. Choose either a basic chocolate or vanilla cake base. While there are dozens of cake flavor possibilities, when it comes to children, the classics are the safest. The majority of young children are not the most adventurous when it comes to food; so staying away from coconut or carrot cakes filled with raisins and dates will ensure the least turned-up noses.

2. Avoid nuts and other allergens. There is always bound to be at least one food allergy at a birthday party and the best way to avoid any possible problem is to stay clear of the common allergens such as peanuts and strawberries when creating fillings or frosting.

3. Pair fillings and frosting to the cake base. Either chocolate or vanilla cake can pair with any flavored icing, frosting or filling. As with the cake flavoring, stick with classic well-loved frosting flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, lemon or raspberry. Mix either a basic buttercream or cream cheese frosting with your choice of flavoring.

Bright Colors and Decorations

1. Select either bright-colored frosting or bright-colored decorations. The brighter and more pronounced the colors are, the better. Children eat with their eyes before anything else and color is a key factor in drawing their attention. For bright-colored frosting, start with a white vanilla or lemon buttercream base and add liquid or powdered food dye ¼ tsp. at a time until the desired color is reached.

2. Add decorations to increase color. If you stick with a white frosting base, use colored piping decorations and sprinkles to add sparkle and color to the cake. Small amounts of colored buttercream can be piped on the cake using a pastry bag fitted with decorative tips. But most of all, incorporate sprinkles into the design. Sprinkles equate to decadence in the eyes of a child. Choose the most brightly colored and interestingly shaped sprinkles you can find.

3. Attach a cake topper and candles. Though not necessary, a cake topper adds excitement to the cake as it remains even after the cake has been consumed. The cake topper should match the theme of the birthday party; whether it is dinosaur-, doll- or monkey-themed, the topper can be any plastic figurine, toy or doll. Choose colored candles that match the cake colors. Avoid "trick" candles, as they can be dangerous for children.

Tips & Warnings

• Take shortcuts if you can. Remember, the cake is for children and not a panel of confectionery critics. Boxed cake mixes and frosting can save you time, money and hassle yet still grant you control over the color, size, shape and flavor of the cake.

• Choose a round cake for small parties below ten guests and a larger rectangle sheet cake for parties ranging from ten to twenty children.

References

• Kids Birthday party Guide: Cakes