When my kids celebrate a birthday, I don't put up streamers, balloons or decorate with cute banners. I do put a "happy birthday" tablecloth on the dining table, so I'm not a total slacker.
Oh, and I make fun cakes.
These aren't professional cakes complete with fondant polka dots and angles that defy gravity, but they are completely fun and extra delicious.
When Livi requested a princess doll cake for her 5th birthday, I was all over this classic birthday cake. I'd made one for Madison when she was about Livi's age, so I was a pro. It didn't hurt that the recipe was super easy:
- Doll
- Cake
- Frosting
- Sprinkles
The end.
Livi isn't a fan of chocolate cake—or cake in general (whose daughter IS she? seriously!)—so I went with a white cake and buttercream frosting.
I decided to try the Tender White Cake recipe from King Arthur Flour. Reviewers said it came out a bit more dense (almost like a pound cake at times), and that was way okay with me. I don't do super fluffy cakes.
Yep, it was a dense cake and I loved it. Of course, I'm a huge fan of pound cake so that helps.
To frost this doll cake, I wanted an easy, yummy buttercream frosting I could tint the perfect princess pink. I settled on the Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting recipe from Food Network.
It was fabulous! The buttercream frosting was light, fluffy, smooth and sweet—the perfect complement to the moist, rich white cake. Plus it was super easy to make (my kind of recipe).
As far as baking and assembling the cake, I adapted this Barbie Doll Cake recipe from Allrecipes.com using the from-scratch white cake recipe and buttercream frosting. It took a bit longer to bake and didn't come out quite as high as recipes that have you use two cake mixes and two bowls (see this doll cake recipe from Pampered Chef and this fairy tale princess cake recipe from Betty Crocker).
I always wrap the Barbie doll in saran wrap for easy cleanup, and because the skirt isn't as high as the two-pan recipes, I simply frosted partway up the doll's waist. It might not look as nice but it does save on time (and sanity).
After the doll cake was frosted, I litereally threw small, round silver, cream and white dragées all over Rapunzel's skirt.
We might have lost a few in the kitchen...and then lost a few teeth while trying to eat them.
I then lined the top of her skirt with a row of silver dragées. (I found tweezers to be super handy with that little project.)
Voilà! A princess doll cake fit for a real princess!
Past birthday cakes I've thrown together:
jamie
this cake seriously takes me back to the day when they were all the rage...
adorable you.
~j
Emily Hill
If 80s fashion can come back in style, why not 80s cakes? I mean, come on. Doll cakes are awesome.
Kazzy
So cute. And Barbie stands just like I do. All the time. ;)
Emily Hill
That's my favorite stance while grocery shopping. It takes mad skills to push a cart like that.
carrian
I suck at cake making. The end. I need to learn from you.
Emily Hill
I will teach you all I know. It should take about 6 1/2 minutes.
Dad
Speaking of birthdays . . . . .
Happy Birthday Emily !!!!
How does it feel to hit the big three-oh?
Emily Hill
I love being 30! I've done it like 8 times already. Best birthday ever!
evonne
If you would like to make Savannah's birthday cake, I would totally hire you to do so. I don't think I could make it look nearly as adorable. Major awesome Mom points!
Emily Hill
If you want me to make it, I'm all over it. I just need payment in Diet Coke. Would that work? ;)
vanessa
I was so proud of you when I saw this, this is an awesome cake!
Emily Hill
Thank you! I shall make you one for your next birthday. :)
Azn
Barbie isn't just a doll, but it is every girl's fantasy! Barbie has been very popular among girls and teens and no other toy could ever replace her. And, this is the best method for you to create your little girl's birthday special by sending Barbie cakes on the internet and making her delighted for her birthday.