Easy Birthday Cakes

These gorgeous birthday cakes are a snap to make using your favorite cake mix and simple white icing.

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On the Dot

Tara Donne

To make this colorful cake, press rows of mini, regular, and peanut M&M's into the icing in bold patterns.

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Bake a Barnyard

Tara Donne

Stand frosted animal crackers on mounds of green-tinted coconut. Then build a fence with pretzel sticks and icing to create this cool cake your little animal lover will adore.

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Eat Your Words

Tara Donne

You can be as creative as you like with this candy-covered cake. To make it, soften fruit chews in the microwave for three seconds. Then use a rolling pin to flatten. Make letters with cookie cutters. Cut squares for a border.

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How to Decorate a Cake: Prep Your Cake For Decorating

For professional-looking cakes, the key is in the prep. See how easy it is to get your cake ready for decorating by leveling layers and adding a crumb coat.

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Birthday Party Ideas: Star Candy Cake

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Garden Delight

Tara Donne

To cover this cake in flowers, lay iced cookies with a round candy in the center of each on top of the cake. Then, roll out green spice drops and cut into small leaves.

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Modern Art Cake

After frosting this cake with white icing, divide an additional can of whipped vanilla frosting among five bowls and color each with icing color. Transfer the icing into resealable plastic bags. Microwave for 10 seconds or until just warmed. Cut of one corner of each bag and shake over cake in a random pattern. Repeat with remaining colors.

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Little Drummer Cakes

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These cute glazed drums start out as a sheet cake. Check out the easy recipe for details on how to make them.

Originally published in the May 2009 issue of Parents magazine.

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