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Cake My Day

The best cakes for the biggest days.

Birthday Cakes

Inspiration for creative birthday cakes that'll impress and delight everyone at the party, because life's biggest celebrations should always include cake.
FAQ

Where did the birthday cake tradition originate?

Acknowledging birthdays is credited back to the ancient Egyptians, and it was the ancient Greeks who started topping desserts with candles, but the Romans were the first to bake actual birthday cakes. The whole tradition really came together in the 18th century when the Germans started celebrating birthdays with cake much like we do today.

What are the biggest birthday cake trends?

The year's biggest birthday cake trends revolve mostly around popular movies and TV shows, famous characters, and adorable creatures, like unicorns. Artsy cakes are still going strong with lots of geometric shapes, hand-painted touches, and floral art being used to decorate desserts. But no matter the theme, you'll find that most birthday cakes these days are colorful, indulgent, and perfectly over-the-top.

How do you bake a birthday cake from scratch?

It's easy to buy cake mix in a box, but for an extraspecial celebration, try making one from scratch. The difference is that you'll be combining your own dry ingredients rather than using those from the package — and your cake will be even more delicious. This moist yellow cake recipe will take you less than an hour from start to finish and requires fewer than 10 ingredients.

Can you freeze birthday cake?

Yes, you can freeze birthday cake! The cake, like many other baked goods, can be frozen for three to four months. You'll want to properly cover your birthday cake in plastic wrap before placing in the freezer to keep as much air out as possible. When you're ready to dig in, just take it out of the freezer, remove the wrap, and leave it at room temperature to thaw for a few hours.

What's the best way to store a homemade birthday cake?

If you're planning to save your birthday cake before serving or even hold onto it after the celebration, you'll want to first cover it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. The cake can then be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. Cakes that include fresh fruit, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting should always be stored in the fridge.

How long does birthday cake last?

A properly stored homemade birthday cake can still be eaten after three to four days, though cakes that are made with fresh fruit, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting have a shorter shelf life of about two days.

How do you make homemade frosting?

Don't be daunted by making cake frosting at home. A little planning and the right tools make it easy to make buttercream or cream cheese frosting to top your favorite birthday cake.

What's the best way to cut a birthday cake?

There actually is a right way to cut a round cake! Instead of cutting triangular slices like most, start by making two straight cuts down the center and removing the large rectangular piece. Cut that in half, and it's ready to serve. Then, you'll want to use a rubber band to secure each half of the cake back together and make the same center cut. Repeat these steps until you've created perfectly rectangular pieces out of the entire cake!

How do you make homemade funfetti cake?

Homemade funfetti cake is easier to bake than you might think! In fact, you can create individual funfetti cakes in just five minutes using ramekins and only eight ingredients. Yum!