| "body"> | | | | Even if you are not aware of any allergies |
| These days, you can probably buy just about any | | | | amongst the party attendees, it is best to avoid |
| style of child's birthday cake already made. But | | | | using any products containing nuts. Read the |
| there is nothing like the sense of satisfaction from | | | | packages of the cake ingredients carefully. |
| making that special cake just for your child - after | | | | 5. It is best to make the cake the day before the |
| all, they have each birthday only once! | | | | party. Apart from making the day of the party |
| There's also the benefit of being able to control | | | | less stressful, you will find that the cake will be |
| what ingredients are actually used in making the | | | | easier to cut. If the cake is too fresh, crumbs |
| cake. Apart from producing a healthier cake, you | | | | tend to stick to the icing and can make the cut |
| can also cater for any allergies that your child or | | | | pieces look pretty messy. |
| his/her friends may have. | | | | 6. When choosing the icing, think about how |
| Once you have decided to make the cake | | | | messy it will be to eat - your friends won't be too |
| yourself, here are some tips to help you: | | | | pleased with you if their kids end up with |
| 1. Don't worry if you failed Art 101 dismally. | | | | permanently-stained clothes from your |
| Remember that kids don't expect you to turn out | | | | brightly-colored strawberry icing! |
| a design worthy of da Vinci. Often they are more | | | | 7. When actually making the icing, you may have |
| interested in the number (and color) of pieces of | | | | to tweak the recipe to allow for the weather. For |
| candy on top of the cake than the actual design | | | | hot climates, you may have to add more icing |
| itself. | | | | powder/sugar to thicken it up; for cold days, you |
| 2. In selecting a design for the cake, there are | | | | don't want the icing to set as hard as rock. |
| two main options: a specific design (such as a | | | | 8. If you are going to use an icing decorating bag |
| favorite character from a TV program), or a | | | | and tips to draw your design on the cake, have a |
| more generic theme (such as a train or an animal). | | | | practice first on a plate. You'll surprise yourself |
| Whichever you choose, remember that it will be | | | | with what you can do! |
| much easier if you only cut the cake to the basic | | | | 9. If you are totally artistically challenged, there |
| shape you want, and use the icing to create the | | | | are many companies who supply ready-made |
| detail of the design. Trying to make the Eiffel | | | | decorations that you can use on the cake. You |
| Tower out of cut pieces of sponge cake is a | | | | can even buy a lot of these over the internet, |
| definite no-no! | | | | and you can find a list of some major suppliers at |
| 3. The actual cake recipe should be kept simple, | | | | |
| such as a basic sponge cake. Remember, the icing | | | | Finally, remember to HAVE FUN when you make |
| and candy decorations will give the cake plenty of | | | | the cake! It may seem quite a lot of effort, but |
| flavor, and a plain cake recipe will appeal to a | | | | the happy smile on your child's face when they |
| wider range of kids' tastes. | | | | see the cake will reward you immensely. |
| 4. Be especially careful to cater for any allergies. | | | | |