How to Make Your Child's Birthday Cake Yourself

Even if you've never decorated a cake in your life, you too can create your child's decorated birthday cake. The basic skills needed to create a molded birthday cake are mastered relatively easily. Armed with a few tools and a few skills, you can not only create a memorable cake for your child's birthday, but also even save a little money over a store bought cake.

You first need to purchase a few items. Cake decorating supplies can be found at craft stores and larger discount retailers. You will need to purchase (or borrow) a cake mold. These are pans shaped like various characters. For your first cake, choose a mold that will not require too many different colors, and does not have too many intricate parts. There are many "generic" molds to choose from such as gumball machines and teddy bears, or you can choose a licensed character like Dora the Explorer or Bob the Builder. You will also need some cake decorating bags and a star shaped decorating tip. Look on the cake mold directions to see what size star tip is required. That is the only decorating tip you must have. The mold may ask for additional tips, but these are optional. You may also want to purchase a coupler set. This set allows you to change icing tips without having to take your tip completely out of the decorating bag. Finally, you will need to purchase some icing coloring gels or powders. These colorants work much better than food coloring, because they will not change the consistency of your icing. These are all the basic tools you will need to create your cake.

Because shaped cake molds have a tendency to stick, and thus ruin your cake, you should coat your pan with a cake release solution. You can purchase commercial cake release, or just mix up your own. Simply mix together ½ cup shortening, ½ cup flour, and 1/3 cup vegetable oil. Brush this mixture lightly into the pan using a pastry or basting brush. Store the remaining mixture in the refrigerator for a future cake.