We have just finished three birthdays in 31 days.
Yes, somehow three of our five children gravitated their arrival to the same time of year.
I love sharing special birthday traditions, but I must confess, creating masterful birthday cakes has never been my forte. I dream of putting my designer touch on something, but so far that dream has not become a reality.
This year, I am finally going to take that cake decorating class I “think” will launch me to “Domestic Goddess” status.
I realize that all cakes do not require a master baker’s touch. One of my finest birthday creations was done in five minutes. I took two dozen Krispy Kreme round donuts, created a circular tower stuffed with candy, and then frosted it. I then lined up an assortment of toppings for the boys’ sprinkling delight.
They reminisce about it to this day. 🙂
I still dream about the Barbie cake that I “made” for my daughter’s birthday. It doesn’t matter that my niece made it for her sister this week or that I loved looking at it for days. Let’s just pretend that I created it and call it a night. 🙂
The beauty of this recipe is that you can use a box cake mix, a round glass batter bowl to bake the dress (to make it even easier), and any old Barbie lying around. They do sell 1/2 Barbie’s at Michaels, but you can use a regular Barbie as well. This was my niece’s and it turned out beautifully.
My friend, Toni – the Happy Housewife, did a video tutorial that shows you exactly how to make it. She did a fabulous job, so why should I reinvent the wheel? She demonstrates perfectly how even a non baker can amaze friends and family. 🙂 Make sure and check it out!
It’s really quite easy.
That cake is adorable- love it! My hubbie bought one like that for my birthday a few years ago from a local bakery. It looked nice, but the frosting left much to be desired 🙂
Danelle Ice / Homemaker Barbi
[Reply]
Awww Jen! You have just brought back some very sweet memories for me. My Mom made my sister a cake just like that one. I loved it so much and wanted one just like it. My next birthday I wished and waited for that barbie cake. I got circus clowns instead..hehe. Guess I didnt make myself too clear. Maybe one day I will get that Barbie cake..hehe. Thank you for such a sweet trip down memory lane. I love cake~
[Reply]
It's birthday season for us too Jen, although ours are a bit more spread out than yours – 1 in June, 1 in July and 1 in August.
Great job on the Barbie cake!! That is next on my list to try.
[Reply]
My poor mom had to make what must have seemed like hundreds of Barbie Cakes… from 4 to 13 and I would have had them still if I hadn't been concerned with my cool factor. What a great memory!
[Reply]
My 4-year-old would LOVE this!! Maybe I'll start some new traditions 🙂
[Reply]
Very cute cake! I made a Candy Land Cake last week, and it wasn't too difficult, I'm sure you could tackle it.
Thanks for hosting!
~Liz
[Reply]
This blog just did a cake carnival!
http://www.lifeasmom.com/2009/07/urs-birthday-cake-round-up.html
[Reply]
Wow! Amazing cake! Someone that my Mom worked with when I was eight years old made me a Barbie cake when I had chicken pox on Halloween.
[Reply]
Just found this carnival.
I love the cake!
[Reply]
Adorable!!! My sister had a cake like that one year and I was so jealous. 😉 Looking forward to reading today's links, but for now I'm off to bed! 🙂
[Reply]
I can make a delicious cake, but I am not so good with pretty.
My mom made me a barbie cake when I was little. Actually my mom made lots of great cakes for us, but I did not pick up that skill.
[Reply]
That's so cute! I remember when I was little learning how to make those cakes. I was pretty impressed with myself *L*
[Reply]
I had a cake just like that when I was a child. I'll never forget it! I think it would be fun to take a cake decorating class.
[Reply]
That is so cute and it brought back sweet memories~
Robin
All Things Heart and Home
[Reply]
Oh I remember my mom making me one of those cakes when I was little! I remember not wanting to eat it because it was so pretty! Great job!
[Reply]
Barbie cakes are so fun! I wish they came up with those when I was little. But I have to say the donut tower sounds like it tasted better. 🙂
[Reply]
I have never made Barbie cake either but my sister-in-law made one years ago for her daughter's birthday. That same daughter, my niece, now makes beautiful cakes for other people.
[Reply]
Love the cake! A few years ago my husband's aunt made a Barbie cake for my daughter. She's a pro so I know I'll never be able to do what she did BUT it didn't look that difficult. We also used a real Barbie instead of the cake decorating variety.
Every year I tell myself that I'm going to take a cake decorating class and every year slips by….
Here's a birthday cake I made for my daughter last year: http://thelopsidedhouse.blogspot.com/2008/08/cake.html
This year I'm going to stick with something simple!!!!
[Reply]
I haven't seen one of these in ages – soooooooooo cute!
[Reply]
I love these cakes. So cute!
[Reply]
Very pretty cake. I, too would love to learn to decorate cakes beautifully. One of these days . . .
Christi
[Reply]
My mom had an old woman make me a doll cake for my first birthday. She made my brother a Thomas the Train cake. My cake was absolutely gorgeous. My brother and I look at those pictures from time to time.
Not many people bake like that anymore. Yours is cute. It can be the semi-homemade version. That's just as good. It gets eat anyway. 🙂
[Reply]
I am so impressed. I tried to make a cowboy once, and let's just say that I quickly improvised and said it was a BOOT. They bought it. We ate it. I didn't try again. 🙂 Kudos to you for the Barbie!
[Reply]
Cute Barbie Cake. When my children were small, Mother brought them doll cakes, similar to this, for each of their birthdays, several years. That was in the 1960's and 70's. This post brought back happy memories.
[Reply]
Love the cake, great job! All three of our kids have January birthdays – 2nd, 17th and 31st. So we get to enjoy birthday cake every other week in January LOL!
[Reply]
I've been making cakes like crazy too this summer. We have birthdays on June 10, July 13,18, & 21! The last one is my DH's, which is today and I will be making him lemon cake, his favorite. My most daring attempt lately was Mississippi Mud, an icecream cake recipe from my MIL. It turned out really yummy!
Blessings,
Melissa
[Reply]
My mom made me a Barbie cake 45 years ago and I still remember it with great fondness. Everyone thought it was the most creative thing they had seen. The love moms put into birthday celebrations are remembered forever!(sure do wish I still had that Barbie)
[Reply]
That is so CUTE! I remember when my daughter was much younger we bought one for her. I'm impressed by anybody that can make one. 🙂
[Reply]
What wonderful detail! Reminds me of a vase I had as a child in the same likeness. It originally held flowers.
[Reply]
Thanks for hosting! It looks like I posted my link twice 🙁 Sorry! I'll get the hang of it!
[Reply]
The Barbie cake is truly a "birthday delight". My sister also had a cake similar to this when she was 7 and I was 3. I coveted that cake…but, never got one of my own 😉
[Reply]
Jen, I love your site! I am new to this and very happy to have found you. Keep up the wonderful work!!
Big hugs – Randi
[Reply]
I am late to the party. Very late to the party. But I have made it to the party–for the first time! I've never actually gotten here before. Thank you for hosting!!
[Reply]
She's so pretty! I remember those from my birthdays as a child. I try to learn a little more every year as I make cakes for the girls — this year I finally tackled fondant. Jack Skellington (for my 16 year old daughter who is in LOVE with him) was much easier to make with the marshmallowey fondant rather than traditional icing. It's much, much easier to work with than I thought it would be.
Have a sweet day!
Gina
[Reply]
Hello Jen – love the Barbie cake! So cute. I made one years ago for my daughter…it's one of my favorite cakes. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
[Reply]
We love Barbie around here (we have two girls) I hope you'll swing by my recipe exchange too. I shared a yummy baked flounder recipe and love collecting other inspired ideas:
http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/07/friday-feasts-baked-flounder.html
[Reply]
Hey! I found this post just today. Reminds me of my friend making her daughter a Barbie cake about 25 years ago-her daughter is now 30! The cake did not rise high enough, or she used a bowl that was too large for the batter. Barbie stuck way up! She was in a panic, as the party was about to start. She went to the garage-and-got a saw. Yes, she did. In desperation, she sawed off Barbie’s legs, and placed her in the cake. Perfect! Added the finishing touches, and no one was the wiser. She still laughs about it now. I’m sure the Barbie was replaced. And after all, it was a Barbie birthday party. We’ve all had a moment like that, right!?
[Reply]
Jen Reply:
February 1st, 2017 at 9:34 pm
That is SOO funny and yes, we sure have had moments like that. Who ever thought Barbie needed those legs anyhow?
[Reply]