We know your kids can’t get enough of Elsa, Cinderella, Goldilocks and their favorite storybook characters. Good news! Fairy tales are no longer reserved for bedtime (or the movies). Enchant their imaginations (and taste buds) with these stunning cakes and desserts that bring to life classic tales like Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Little Red Riding Hood. Flip through the photo gallery for a real page turner.
What cake is your favorite? Tell us your thoughts below!
— Erin Lem
Mini pirates, train lovers, princesses, and dinosaur fans love love love their parties, but it’s sometimes daunting to make those Pinterest boards come to life–especially when it comes time for the all-important birthday cake. But, lucky for you we’ve rounded up some of the best homemade birthday cake builders in the DMV so that the amazing My Little Pony rainbow fondant cake can really shine at your party.
Photo: P.S. Cakes via Facebook
P.S. Cakes
Kiddos can get a super special treat when parents order their birthday cake from P.S. Cakes. The lucky birthday gal (or guy) can even help decorate it if they want! Sarah Savarie, baker extraordinaire, not only bakes and decorates amazing feats of culinary pleasure, but she’ll let your little one in on the fun! Between writing their name in fondant, making decorations and putting it all together, your birthday gal will have major bragging rights to a super tasty and uber creative cake.
Online: facebook.com/pages/PS-Cakes
Photo: Del Ray Cakery via Facebook
Del Ray Cakery
Rebecca Underly knows the diplomatic hurtles it can take to satisfy even the pickiest birthday kid when it comes to his big day. After all, she used to be the pastry chef at Blair House (that’s the President’s guest house, FYI) so compromise might be her middle name. That means your best birthday pal can have his cake and eat it too, even if he’s not a guest of the Prez. Whether it’s a dozen purple and green cake pops, a layer cake piled high with sprinkles, or a construction site for your best digger. Bonus? She can also do cupcakes and cookies if you just want finger food goodies.
Online: delraycakery.com
Photo: Just Ask Mo Custom Cakes via Facebook
Just Ask Mo
One word describes cakes by Just Ask Mo–fun and delicious and awesome. Okay, that’s more than one word, but we can’t help ourselves! These birthday cakes are as moist as they are beautiful. With renditions of flowers, princesses, dump trucks, power rangers, balloons and more, your creation is sure to dazzle the birthday kid and his friends. Not only will the kiddos be begging for a second slice, the parents just might, too…
Online: justaskmo.com
Photo: Alexandria Cake Pop Company
Alexandria Cake Pop Company
Cake Pops are all the rage right now and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t jumped on the bandwagon. But if you’ve ever tried to make your own, you know the struggle it is to get just the right amount of batter and have it stay on a stick. That’s why we love Alexandria Cake Pop Company. They use a perfect combo of yummy frosting to tasty cake, ensuring that little ones (and big ones!) chow down on delicious, incredibly decadent pops. And because the “cake” comes on a stick, it’s super convenient and just the right size for mini-celebrants.
Online: alexandriacakepops.com
Photo: Esquire Confections via Facebook
Esquire Confections LLC
Parents looking for the home in homemade with their birthday cake flair should ring Esquire Confections LLC, stat. Lawyer turned baker, Amanda Abraham designs confectionary treasures that look like your homemade cake had a baby with the Cake Boss. Meaning, they’re super cute and delightfully delicious. Whether your princess wants a Frozen-inspired triple decker fondant castle or you’re just out for a sweet Minnie Mouse smash cake, Esquire Confections LLC has you covered.
Online: esquireconfections.webs.com
Photo: Julie Bakes
Julie Bakes
If you’re looking for a cake with pizazz then Julie Bakes is the place that can make all your birthday wishes come true. Whether it’s a chocolatey cake that looks like a candy bar, a poodle skirt, or even a guitar shaped masterpiece, Julie’s birthday cakes are guaranteed to be the biggest hit at your little ones party–besides the birthday boy of course!
Online: juliebakes.com
Photo: Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes via Facebook
Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes
For the sophisticated set, Kim’s Cakes and Cupcakes are the perfect recipe of moist tasty cake and wicked flavor combinations. Her birthday cake is a colorful confetti cake, but there are also choices like Banana French Toast (banana cake topped with cinnamon chips and maple syrup), Pina Colada Hawaiian Delight (a tropical coconut pineapple infused cake) and Pink Lemonade. So whether your kiddo likes plain ole’ birthday cake, or likes to live on the wild side Kim’s Cakes can bake up anything their little heart desires–including a Peanut Butter & Jelly cake. Yum.
Online: facebook.com/kimscakesandcupcakes
Do you have a favorite home baker for your kid’s birthday cake needs? Dish in the Comments section below.
–Hilary Riedemann
Fall is a time of color and change, so switch up your usual birthday cake routine with decadent and flashy options. The following are our picks for best bakeries offering impressively-crafted and seasonally-themed cakes worthy of being center of attention on your child’s party table.
Photo credit: The Cakery Yelp page
The Cakery
If your goal is a delicious, moist birthday cake that says “classy,” go with The Cakery. From the people who brought you the Baker and Spice cafe, the Cakery offers the same quality goods at a satellite location just down the street. These lovely cakes aren’t overly sweet and feature tasteful, simple decorations that would be perfect for an elegant, princess-themed affair or a fancy tea party. Their Classic Birthday Cake, for starters, is made from buttery gold cake, covered with chocolate ganache and iced with chocolate buttercream. In addition to cakes, their cute little shop sells high-quality baking supplies, cake stands and baking books.
6306 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, Or
503-546-3737
Online: sweetwares.com
Photo credit: Le Cookie Monkey Facebook page
Le Cookie Monkey
The name says cookie, but the specialty is helping people celebrate their big days by creating beautifully decorated baked goods in general, which most certainly includes cake. Cakes are not only, soft and rich with just the right balance of sweetness, but they’re easy to order in the shop or by phone, with straightforward pricing – the cake flavor, filling and icing choice are all included in the price. For fall, try one of their pumpkin cakes and, for those of you who love hummingbird cakes (made with banana, coconut, pecans and pineapple), Le Cookie Monkey will be your new go-to bakery. Once you’re inside Le Cookie Monkey’s cute little house that smells like fresh-baked cookies, just try to get out of there without buying one of her signature cookies. Resistance is futile.
1902 NW 24th Ave.
Portland, Or
503-232-3848
Online: lecookiemonkey.com
Photo credit: Pastrygirl Facebook page
Pastrygirl
Pastrygirl’s storefront on SE Stark has closed, but they’re still making gorgeous and flavorful custom cakes. Just call two weeks ahead of time and get your tiered cake with your kiddo’s favorite characters molded out of frosting sitting on top, or their favorite book cover made into a cake, or even a hobbit house-shaped cake. Just about any idea you have can be carved or shaped into a cake. Also, if you’re looking for a cake or filling flavor that’s a little more interesting for an adventurous palate, try one of their outside the box cake flavors like Earl Grey, lavender or spicy Thai peanut.
503-254-5433
Online: pastrygirl.com
Photo: The Dessert Tray, credit S.M. via Yelp
The Dessert Tray
You may have seen their treats in Zupan’s or New Seasons, but they also have a retail storefront in Beaverton. Not only that, but you can order a tasty cake made to your own specifications, and even grab a cookie or a cup of coffee for yourself in the store when you’re ready to pick it up. Their sweet team definitely knows how to make masterpiece cakes, like The Hungry Caterpillar-inspired cake that includes one showstopping cake, surrounded by little cupcakes for the guests. They can even make a small, companion “smash cake” for the birthday girl or boy to completely annihilate.
For some people, a smooth cake covered in fondant looks good, but doesn’t taste great. The fine bakers of JaCiva’s agree. Their cakes can be covered in a poured chocolate ganache, giving a smooth look that your guests will love eating, too. Even decorations like bows and ribbons are made of delectable white or milk chocolate. It pays to go with a legendary cake bakery that also specializes in European chocolates.
4733 SE Hawthorne Ave.
Portland, Or
503-234-8115
Online: jacivas.com
What’s your favorite bakery for a cake that looks good and tastes better? Let us know in the comments!
— Kelley Gardiner
