I loved this cake I made Alexander for his 2nd birthday – it is so easy to make. Your little one will love this fun digger birthday cake.
Do you have a construction mad person at home? Are they having a birthday soon?
If you answered yes then this simple but effective cake might be something that is of interest.
How did I make this cake?
Firstly I made 2 cakes so that the diggers had the height for the rubble to be coming off the side of the cake
I made it easy and used a vanilla cake mix.
I then iced the outside of the cake with chocolate icing
I printed out a big number 2 so that I had the size and shape right and cut out the paper for a template. I then filled in the template area with the M&M’s or you can use smarties to create the number on top of the cake
To create the rubble on the side of the cake and in the diggers I used Violet Crumble and purchased a few bags to crush and have around the side of the cake
To make sure it is indeed a digger cake I added 2 diggers scooping up the Violet Crumble
You will need to have diggers for the decoration for this cake and some can beeasily purchased online.
To get the most chocolatey icing do the following
Get organic Cocoa Powder from the health food shop, then mix it with just icing sugar and a little water or maybe some juice (apple, orange or even just lemon juice is nice) This icing is like pure chocolate and is so yummy.
This cake is super easy to construct and decorate and looks fantastic. It was made for Alexander’s 2nd birthday. It is easily made for any birthday number, all you have to do is to change the number on top of the cake.
Alexander’s digger cake for his 2nd birthday
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Have you ever thought that birthday cakes should be easier?
What if they can be and you can take all the glory for not doing that much at all? Coles has the perfect cake to make you look like the best parent in the world.
If you are not a fan of the Pink Drip Cake, you can also get a Chocolate Drip Cake
Our summer-inspired Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake
Coles Vanilla Drip Cake Makes Birthday’s Easier
I like any mum who wants to make their child’s birthday party special. Each year I ask each kid what they would like for their birthday, and I go out of my way to make it happen.
Hubby is a bit over all the trouble I go to and keeps on saying I should just get a cake from the shop and make it look pretty.
So when I was asked to test out the new Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake I thought this might be the answer to making birthday’s easier.
The kids wanted to make it a summer cake filled with tropical decorations.
I think they did an amazing job and had fun too.
I think next time I have a party I will make things easier for myself. As a mum, there is so much to do and to organise, if you can get more time back it is a win, right?
Will you be testing out the Coles Vanilla Pink Drip Cake?
Did you know that the Coles Drip Cakes was voted product of the year for 2020?
I can see why it won product of the year, it’s yummy and a stunning-looking cake.
COLES VANILLA PINK DRIP CAKE The Coles vanilla pink drip cake is a stunning and cost-effective solution to creating the cake of your dreams! The white icing with a delectable pink drip puts this stunning dessert on par with the decadent, Insta-worthy cakes that are continuously popping up. This cake is light, fluffy and drizzled with a sweet pink topping and makes the perfect base for decorating and dressing as you see fit! Whether it’s for a bridal shower, kids’ birthday party or just for impressing your guests after dinner, the Coles pink drip cakes are perfect for every occasion. RRP $28.00 Available at Coles.
I hope this gives you some ideas on how to make your next celebration fantastic with this super stylish cake.
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Got a Pokémon superfan in your life? Someone whose love for those pocket monsters knows no bounds, whether they’re a kid or a kid-at-heart adult?
Imagine their eyes lighting up like a Pikachu’s cheeks when they lay eyes on a Poké Ball cake! 🎂🌟 Have you ever thought about surprising them with this epic creation for their upcoming birthday bash? Trust me, it’s bound to be a hit among Pokémon trainers of all ages!
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Oh, let me tell you about my energetic Pokémon enthusiast! My little guy adores everything about Pokémon, especially collecting those coveted cards. So, when his birthday rolled around, there was no surprise when he demanded a Pokémon-themed cake.
Now, I pondered for a moment, scratching my head (figuratively, of course!), and then it hit me like a Pikachu’s Thunderbolt – a Poké Ball cake!
It seemed like the perfect solution to grant my kiddo’s birthday wish, and hey, who doesn’t love a challenge that involves edible artistry? Keen to see the finished cake, scroll down to the bottom of this post or watch the Instagram Reel on this post to get an idea of how it was created.
2 vanilla cake mixes (I made it easy for myself and used vanilla cake mixes – if you want to make your own from scratch that is fine too. You can create a chocolate cake if you would rather. Mine was vanilla due to the birthday boy not liking chocolate).
Butter/oil (I find that oil mixes better, I used vegetable oil but you can use olive oil)
Lemon juice from 1 lemon and zest from the lemon
1 Egg white from a very large egg – for the white icing
2 cups of icing sugar
Half a teaspoon of water (for the icing)
Red and Black gel colouring for the icing (this makes more vivid and stronger colours)
Lollies for the centre of the cake (I used snakes and other gummies, you can have M&M’s if you wish or say skittles – the bright colours would look amazing).
NOTE: The centre of the cake was cut out to add lollies to the middle of it. Looks a bit worse here but will soon be covered over with icing and also an Oreo Cookie.
The Poké Ball cake is half decorated. The white icing looks amazing so far.
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Pre-heat oven to 180°C or 356°F
Method
Making the cakes
1. Grease 2 round cake pans
2. Mix the cake mix and follow the instructions on the packet. My only changes are that I add oil instead of butter as well as fresh lemon juice and rind from a fresh lemon.
3. Cook for around 30 minutes or until the cake is golden and when you put in a knife it is all cooked through.
4. Allow cakes to cool a little before getting them out of the tins
Nearly complete adding the red icing to the Poké Ball cake
Making the white icing/royal icing
Add 2 cups of soft icing sugar, 1 egg white and half a teaspoon of water to a bowl. Mix well or use a beater to make it more fluffy looking.
If you need to you can add more water
Also for flavour you can add some vanilla essence or a little lemon juice – I decided to just leave mine plain.
Decorating the Poké Ball cake
Make the bottom of the cake white
Make the middle a thick black line
Make the top of the cake red
In the middle of the black line place the Oreo Cookie with the icing side up. If the icing isn’t as you liked it you can add some white icing to the cookie to make sure that it looks correct.
The Poké Ball cake is finished and ready for the Pokémon birthday party
If you are planning a Pokémonparty you will need the below items:
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Mission: To turn store-bought sponge cakes into a stunning wedding centrepiece.
Challenge accepted!
Armed with creativity, a vision, and a few store-bought sponge cakes from Woolworths, I ventured into the world of cakeovers to craft a delightful masterpiece fit for a dreamy wedding. Plus, with the help of gorgeous fresh flowers from Fine Flowers in Katoomba, the transformation was truly enchanting.
What is a “cakeover”?
A “cakeover” is a playful term used to describe the process of transforming an existing or store-bought cake into a more elaborate or personalized creation through decoration, embellishments, or alterations. Think of it as a cake makeover.
It involves taking a pre-made or basic cake and enhancing its appearance or flavour to suit a specific occasion or personal preferences better.
Cakeovers are often chosen for various reasons, such as time constraints, budget considerations, or simply to showcase creativity by customising a store-bought cake to suit a particular celebration, whether it’s a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion.
The Quest for Cake Perfection
Step 1: Cake Acquisition A trip to my local Woolworths store presented an array of sponge cake options. Opting for simplicity, I chose plain sponge cakes – the perfect blank canvas for my cakeover project.
Step 2: Visionary Designs Inspiration struck as I envisioned a multi-tiered cake exuding elegance. With a touch of whimsy in mind, fresh flowers were to be the pièce de résistance. The flowers allowed for a touch of colour and made the cake look so pretty.
Step 3: Assembly Time Stacking the sponge cakes, I sandwiched them with layers of luscious cream and fresh Panama passionfruit from Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market. The passionfruit gave a great flavour and added a summer feel to the wedding cake.
Passionfruit added to the whipped creamStarting to layer the cakes with the cream between each layerThe whipped cream with passionfruit looks so deliciousCut Panama Passionfruit ready for the whipped creamAll the Panama Passionfruit at Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market
Creating the white icing
Mix the below ingredients in a bowl. You can mix with a fork or a mixer to ensure you get fluffy icing.
2 cups of icing sugar
2 egg whites
A few drops of lemon juice
A teaspoon of vanilla essence
Once all cakes are staked then ice all the cake as smoothly as you can. Use a scraper to have the icing on the cake look smooth and if you have parts of the sponge cake showing that is fine, this will allow you to have the naked cake look. If you don’t want the naked cake look make sure to cover the cake with the white icing and smooth it out with the scraper. If you want a wavy pattern, you can have a scraper that will do that too.
The scrapers I used for my cakeover wedding cake.
Step 4: The Flourishing Finish Here’s where the magic truly unfolded. Fresh blooms from Fine Flowers in Katoomba were carefully placed atop the cake tiers, infusing vibrant colours and natural beauty into the creation. The flowers were added with paper straws to make sure the stem wasn’t put into the cake. The flowers would then be easily removed to allow the cake to be cut for serving.
I put the flowers on one side of the top of the cake and then on an angle to have some flowers on the bottom of the cake. This allowed more decoration for the top of the cake if needed. I also added a gold “love” cake topper.
Flowers were put in paper straws to then add to the cake
Fine Flowers Katoomba There is always such stunning blooms at Fine Flowers Katoomba
I adore visiting Fine Flowers in Katoomba. They always have stunning flowers that put a smile on my face.
Pretty Teasel Seed headsLove the purple gerbrasStunning white chrysanthemums and rosesCarnations look fantastic and the purple are my favourite!I love the blue irisAll the different flowers at Fine Flowers Katoomba
The Splendor of Cakeovers
Personal Touches Though the base was store-bought, the personalised touch came through the decorations. The flowers’ choice, arrangement, and overall design spoke volumes about the couple’s style and taste.
Budget-Friendly Brilliance By utilising ready-made cakes, the focus shifted from baking stress to creative embellishment, ensuring a stunning outcome without breaking the bank.
Time-Efficient Elegance Crafting a cakeover was a swift process, perfect for those in need of a last-minute, yet spectacular, dessert for a special occasion like a wedding.
Lessons Learned & Tips Shared
Be Resourceful: Embrace store-bought items as a canvas for your creativity. A little transformation can yield exceptional results.
Freshness is Key: Utilise fresh flowers or edible decorations for an instant upgrade to the cake’s aesthetics.
Keep it Simple: Sometimes, simplicity speaks volumes. Focus on a few key elements for a striking overall effect.
Practice Patience: Attention to detail is crucial. Take your time arranging the decorations to achieve the desired look.
Conclusion
With a stroke of creativity and a sprinkle of resourcefulness, a store-bought sponge cake evolved into a mesmerizing wedding centerpiece. The cakeover journey not only showcased the potential of simple elements but also highlighted the beauty of personalisation and affordability in crafting a memorable dessert. So, whether it’s a wedding or any special occasion, remember, a store-bought cake can be the perfect canvas for your cakeover dreams!
So what are the costs associated with creating a cakeover wedding cake?
It might not surprise you that a cakeover will really save you money and still create a yummy and fantastic-looking cake for your special day.
You will see from the table below that creating a wedding cake from an existing cake is the cheaper option.
A simple search online found that if you had a cake that had four tiers and above you would generally pay between $420 – $650.
2 x Woolworths Double Unfilled Sponge 460g
$12.00 ($6 each)
Icing
$2.50
Flowers
$13.00
Cream
$2.80
2 egg whites
$1.25 (based on 6 eggs that cost $3.75)
Panama passionfruit
$4.60 ($2.30 each)
Icing scraper
$4.40 (VIP Spotlight price)
Love cake topper decoration
$11.20 (VIP Spotlight price)
Total:
$51.75
The stunning cakeover wedding cake is decorated and ready for the cake topper
If you already had eggs, icing, the icing scraper or didn’t want the love cake topper decoration (all of this would take $19.35 off the amount above) the new cost of the cake would be: $32.40
As you see, you can make the cake cheaper if you wish.
The flowers make this cake look so pretty
“Pink chrysanthemums represent longevity, attraction, and romance, making them a great choice for a first date or a new love. In general, chrysanthemums are believed to represent happiness, love, longevity, and joy.”
The cakeover wedding cake is all decorated and ready for the big event
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This post was originally published on December 19, 2023
The girls love being outdoors and are keen scouts, so what better cake for kids who love an outdoor adventure – a camping cake!
I made it simple and used packets for the cake mix….yep I didn’t mix it myself. Don’t get upset if you use a packet mix it is what you do with it that counts.
How did I create this cake?
Firstly I made sure that the oven was on so it was ready to cook the cakes. I needed 3 cakes so that I could get the height for the mountain, my idea was to have a river and waterfall of the edge of the mountain and to do this I needed to have the height of more than 1 cake.
I mixed all packs of cake and added them to the pan, and then the oven. Once cooked they cooled to allow me to assemble the cake.
The cake ready to decorate. I had the bottom layer of the cake chocolate, the middle layer vanilla and the top chocolate.
As you can see I mixed up the layers with chocolate cake on the bottom, vanilla cake in the middle and chocolate cake on the top. My little boy doesn’t like chocolate so I wanted him to have a little cake that I knew he could eat. However, since it was the girls birthday cake I made sure it was something they wanted which was chocolate.
Now onto making the camping scene.
What did I decorate first?
The river was the firs thing that I created. I mixed up a big batch of blue icing and started creating the river. I made sure that the river was on an angle as this way it would give me enough room to add the tent and the camp fire.
The river was bordered with chocolate rocks and geez they looked very real.
Once the river was completed I then mixed a huge batch of green icing and decorated the rest of the cake.
Look how amazing the camping cake looks. It is a real life camping scene.
Once all iced I used the following decorations to make it look like an outdoor scene.
Apple Belts all ready to decorate the Camping Cake
Lolly flowers
Apple Belts
Apple Sours
Lady Bugs
Witchetty Grubs
KitKat for the tent
I used a cut off skewer to help hold the tent up – I couldn’t find a straight pretzel anywhere!
Lolly rocks around the campfire
A lot of candles to make the campfire – you might only need a few as once lit this made a lot of fire. (it was okay but maybe not a good idea)
Chocolate Rocks, I think they look so real
I hope this inspires you for your next birthday party. The girls loved their camping cake and I loved creating it.
Let me know if you decide to recreate this cake or do something different. Post some pictures on Facebook orInstagramand tag me!
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This post was originally posted on Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Alexander asked for a Batman cake and one that had blue icing and is white. He is a child that really doesn’t like chocolate so white means Vanilla cake.
Yes, my little boy really doesn’t like chocolate and would rather have vanilla cake and gummy sweets.
So vanilla and a blue iced cake was made, plus making it Batman themed.
The cake finally all done and ready for Alexander’s birthday party.
As I don’t have a mixer I got a new handheld Sunbeam MixMaster , in the video above I unboxed the new Sunbeam Mixmaster and used it for the first time. I must admit that this was not what I thought I was getting for Christmas but it has come in handy. I have baked cakes, made pancakes and more!
The Sunbeam Mixmaster looks like the one my mum had in the 70’s and I love the fact that it is super easy to use as you can easily hold the mixer and stop and start it when needed.
I loved the sense of humour on the Sunbeam Mixer box.
To make the cake I needed:
2 vanilla cake mixes
4 eggs – 2 for each cake mix
160ml of milk
3 Tablespoons of oil (I used olive oil)
I also added some lemon juice into each cake mix
Soft icing sugar
Butter for the icing – I just add a few lumps and then add more icing
Blue food dye
The layered cake getting decorated with blue icing
Before I made the cake I created the decorations, this meant that when everything was ready I could instantly add everything to the iced cake.
Decorations
Dark chocolate for the buildings
Silver candy balls
Coloured candy for the building’s windows
I used 2 silicone pot holders for window shapes
Superhero candles
Edible Batman picture for the centre of the cake
I made it super simple and purchased some vanilla cake mix. As I needed it to be a taller cake for the Gotham buildings.
Each cake was mixed separately, then added to a tin to be baked in the oven.
Batman Cake with Gotham buildings
I hope this inspires you for your next birthday party. Maybe you too could make your own take on a batman cake.
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Today my lovely twins, Julia and Lillian are eight! Yes they are eight years old already! How it has flown by so quickly. I remember when they were little babies and we had just got back from hospital. Although I think back to how small and little the girls were the same is happening with our little baby boy, Alexander. He is now eight months old and in the blink of an eye he will be one! Yes one….. well maybe not the blink of an eye but very soon. It is already September and will very soon be Christmas and then January will be here and also Alexander’s first birthday.
The girls are eight years old today! Yes they were super excited to be turning eight and also up extremely early to open their presents. Mummy was also up very late baking and decorating cupcakes for the kids to celebrate at school on their actual day.
One thing that the girls are happy about is the fact that they share a birthday with the wonderful and talented author Roald Dahl. He would have been celebrating his 100th birthday today. My girls love Dahl’s stories and I loved them as a kid and still do. He has brought joy and laughter to so many. I think my girls feel rather special to have been born on the same day.
So if you are wanting to celebrate Roald Dahl’s birthday here are some events from around the world that you might be able to get to. I must admit that this is not a full list. It might be well worth checking out the local bookshop or library in case they are having an event this weekend or today.
Happy Birthday to everyone that has a birthday today. The kids had a great time opening their presents and were super excited about the fact that they got a new scooter and cannot wait for it to be put together, oh and some of the other pressies were hits also.
More baking for me this week as the girls have a party in the park with their mates from school this Saturday. Let’s just hope that I will be able to get the cake done without staying up till midnight.
Oh and Happy Birthday to my wonderful and amazing little girls! They are such lovely little people and having a twins has been such a joy. I cannot believe you are both eight years old today and cannot wait for more adventures to come. Love and hugs mummy!
Why not try your hand at this celebration snack or treat?
