I started decorating cakes as a child in my large family in the 80s. Fondant frosting and hobby-expert-style or bakery cakes were not a thing back then. (Homemade buttercream frosting tastes better anyway.) Growing up we had a few cake kits that we used to make the shape of a rocket base or princess dress and supplemented with plenty of piped frosting to add detail. Even on a basic 9x11 pan cake, the frosting detail was always my favorite.
When my twins turned one we made them homemade cakes. This first series of cakes was simple enough (we were very tired that year) but it brought back the fun memory of making birthday cakes. Today there are plenty of expert and pinterest worthy options for the picky parent to choose from - but these are not those; these are clearly not those. Buttercream frosting is used generously and imperfectly to add creative details which all get destroyed by the kids anyway.
I call this style of cake "Clearly Homemade" because no one mistakes them for store-bought. This post organizes the ones we've made over the years. I encourage everyone to give it a try - it is the right kind of stressful and mess-ful activity that all family birthdays deserve! Happy baking. ~
2010 - a simple Elephant Cake
2011 - went back to a childhood classic Train Cake for this one.
2013 - Lego cakes inspired by my sister's Lego cake from years earlier.
2014 - Monster Trucks. The frosting looks smooth because it was hot and it was melting.
2015 - Lady Bug cake for the lady and Tank Cakes (other one is off camera) for the boys
2016 - Dog Cake for the puppy lover and some cupcakes for the busy boys this year
2017 - Princess Elsa and Battleships (and a USCG Cutter)
2018 - Rainbow Rice Crispies and Gettysburg Battlefield (we'd just visited)
2019 - Waddles (a family mascot) and cupcakes by request
2020 - My Little Pony and Smith Island Cake (purchased but an obsession that year)
2021 - A Squishmellow (an ongoing fad) and Cupcakes they made themselves (end of an era?)
2022 - TBD!