Puppy Love Birthday Party

This party just may win Best in Show, thanks to a sweet-faced cake and a matching litter of balloon pets.

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Puppy Cake — Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Doggone Cute Cake

A cake that looks this good and is easy to make? Consider it mom's new best friend!

You will need:
1 (16-ounce) can white frosting
2 (8- or 9-inch) round cakes
Brown fondant
3 Junior Mints
2 Necco Wafers
Red Fruit by the Foot
Shredded coconut (optional)

1. Frost the top of one cake, stack the other on it, then frost the cakes.
2. Roll out the fondant, about 1/8-inch thick. Using our templates from familyfunmag.com/printables, cut out the face and ears, then place them on the cake.
3. Stack a Junior Mint and a Necco Wafer to make eyes, using a bit of frosting to hold them together and to attach one to the fondant eye patch.
4. Use a dab of frosting to attach a Junior Mint nose, and a toothpick to etch the muzzle details.
5. Cut an 11-inch-long piece of Fruit by the Foot for the collar and place it around the cake.
6. Sprinkle coconut on top, if you like.

Originally published in the March 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Puppy Snacks — Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Doggie Treat Snacks

Pretzel rods make fetching party food!

Originally published in the March 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Puppy Balloons — Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Photograph by Dana Gallagher

See Spot Party Craft

Helium allows these balloon pooches to "walk" behind their owners.

Originally published in the March 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Photograph by Dana Gallagher

Doggie Bag Favors

For howl-worthy take-home trinkets, hand out candy bones and paw-print stamps. (Ours are from orientaltrading.com, $7.25 for 72 candy packs; $6.50 for 24 stamps.)

Originally published in the March 2014 issue of FamilyFun

By Kimberly Stoney, Lisa Stowe, and Ellen Harter Wall