Everyone wants to get the perfect birthday cake. You want a birthday cake that show how much the birthday boy or girl means to you without being too mushy. You want the cake to be a creative piece of work to ward off the boring birthday cakes that are seen year after year and you definitely want the cake to make a statement or reflect something about the person whose birthday is being celebrated. Basically you want big smiles!



But before you delve into the world of birthday cake decorating there is one thing should to know and that is what is it exactly that makes a birthday cake so special? And the answer is that it not only has to taste great, but visual appeal makes a cake truly dazzle. It is equally important to pay attention to the appearance of the cake as it is to pay attention to the flavor since the appearance can make a huge difference in terms of what you actually taste on your palate. No dessert, cakes included can be a success unless it looks as good as it tastes! So here are some fabulous ideas for decorating birthday cakes.

Fabulously frosted - You can turn ordinary cake frosting into an intricate birthday cake design. This can be done by alternating vertical and horizontal ribbons of frosting, for example, you'll create a delicate woven pattern that dazzles the eye. Even simpler designs can be achieved by creating swirls or peaks with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

The fine art of chocolate - Simply spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on a cooled marble slab or baking sheet and then carefully make curls or ribbons with a metal spatula to decorate your special cakes. An especially great idea for birthday cakes is to cut out rectangular banners of dark chocolate, write a “Happy Birthday” message with white chocolate or frosting, then place the banner upright on the cake for an edible birthday greeting!

Designing from the ground up - Another way to create dazzling birthday cakes is to layer different cakes and fillings for a variety of flavors and textures. For example you can do a cake that has meringue in it as well as chiffon and maybe a flourless chocolate cake to give it a nice texture and a little crunch. Using cakes and fillings of different colors adds to the visual appeal as well as the taste. Now that you've learned some fabulous birthday cake decorating ideas, why not head to the kitchen and see what you can do! Happy baking!