Homemade Shaped Cake

So I know my boys' birthday's were in January...and I totally had plans for their party to be sooner than this, but that's just how it goes sometimes. I finally set a date for this Saturday and got to work! I thought it might be helpful to show how I make their birthday cakes, because it's super easy, not to mention low cost. First, I cut a simple shape out of paper like this...

I saw this rocket shape on Kobe's baby bib as I reminisced over his memory book.

Then I bake my cake using a 9x13 pan or a bit larger than the size of your paper. Use your favorite cake recipe, but add less oil for firmness that way when you cut your shape out, it will hold up nicely. Place your cut-out on top of the baked cake. You could put toothpicks around the shape to hold in place, then cut around the shape using a knife. Pull away the extra cake and eat it so as not to waste :0) After the cake has cooled, I then transfer my cut cake very carefully to a nice cutting board or plate. You can let the cake set in the refrigerator a little while to firm up for easier frosting.

Now is time to frost!! Use your favorite frosting recipe, I like cream cheese frosting mmm. Add some food coloring, remember those primary colors?! Piping does take some practice, and takes more frosting, but gives a great clean, textured look. Frosting spread on with a knife looks just as nice and tastes the same.

Here's Kyle's Rocket Birthday cake! He chose the colors. I notice my piping is going in all different directions! haha! But it's made with lots of Love :0)


I used Kobe's Paper Mache Planet as inspiration for his Earth Cake...
Their little eyes light up when I show them the special cakes Mama made them and that makes me smile.