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Ask any parent and they will say their kids are all so different and nothing shows that more in my household than when it comes to their birthday cakes! Our oldest likes the cake but not the frosting, the youngest only eats the frosting and ice cream, and the middle child doesn’t want anything cake related which makes birthdays a little more challenging as everyone expects cake and we still want to sing and give her that spotlight moment.
So over the years I had to get creative with what we use for her birthday “cake”. So if you have a kiddo or family member like mine that doesn’t like cake just know there are sooo many more options out there!
The next birthday or holiday maybe you could try serving up one of these other delicious non-cake ideas!
- Brownies (I did this for my middle daughters party animal theme birthday shown below)
- Giant cookie cake- sugar cookie or chocolate chip can’t go wrong either way!
- Donuts (I did this for my other daughters baby shark birthday brunch)
- Ice cream cake (this is a house favorite)
- Cookie tower- mix and match all different cookies for something truly impressive
- Watermelon and fruit cake- I haven’t tried this yet but stay tuned its coming soon!
- Giant banana split
- Chocolate chip pancake tower
- Rice krispie cake- can be molded to any shape and decorated let your imagination run wild
- Giant cinnamon roll
- Jello cake- think old school jello mold without the shredded vegetables
- Oreo dirt cake with gummy worms
- Mini desert cups (We did these for my mother-in-law, see how cute these can be here)
- Pie
- Yogurt parfait
- Muffins
- Fruit pizza
- Pizza
- Pan of mac-n- cheese (yes my friend made this for her daughters 14th birthday!)
- Waffles with whip cream and sprinkles
- Tower of smores- stack them on a pizza pan, heat in the oven for a few minutes before serving!
- Snow cones- think cupcakes, but made of ice
- Sweet bread- banana, zucchini, pumpkin, lemon loaf- double the recipe & make in a Bundt pan
- Cheesecake
- Giant sandwiches- giant burger, 5 foot long hoagie, massive PB&J all would wow the recipient
- Soda can (or beer if you are into that) “cake”
- Churros- cut them approximately 4” long, stand them up inside a round cake pan for shape, tie a ribbon to help hold them together
- Elephant ear (fry bread)
- Lemon bars
- Fruit cobbler or crisp
- Candy sushi rolls
- Caramel apples (see my post on delicious caramel apple ideas here)
- Fudge
- Chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapple or other fruit
- Caramel corn “cake”- grandmas popcorn balls on a larger scale
No matter what dish you decide to use to sing happy birthday around dress it up if you can!
- Stack or tower items tall instead of leaving them in a pan or on a plate.
- Check out amazon for cake toppers or make your own.
- Add candies, sprinkles, small toys whatever you can think of to make it look more festive.
- Display it on a raised cake pan or festive plate.
- Don’t forget the candles!
In the end don’t get so hung up on what a birthday cake should or shouldn’t be. Nobody wants to make a cake to find that no on is going to eat it anyway! So think outside the box and try an unconventional “cake”- you might be surprised how many people like it more just because it is unique and different. That one unique idea might be that great wow item that people remember about your event, which is sure to solidify your image as a party throwing master for sure!
If you have any other cake alternative ideas I would love to hear them, comment below!
