Homemade Character Birthday Cake

My husband and I have always made our children homemade cakes for their birthdays. As they get older, we are finding that it is becoming increasingly challenging. When our middle child turned 2, we surprised her with a Swiper the Fox cake. Needless to say, she was thrilled. She went around saying, "Swiper no Swiping" and "oh, man." She had lots of fun!

Here is how we did it:

My husband drew a sketch of Swiper from one of our Dora books. Then, we cut the cake and added the icing.

Sour Cream Cake

1 c. butter softened

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 pint sour cream

3 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

Pre- heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together. Then, add sour cream to mixture. In a separate bowl, mix together baking powder, flour, and baking soda. Add the dry mixure to the wet mixture and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into 2 nine inch round pans or one sheet cake pan that have been greased and floured. Bake on 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.

Birthday Icing

1 lb confectioners sugar or 3 3/4 cups

3/4 c. crisco

1/4 c. cream or liquid

1/2 tsp flavor (vanilla)

Beat until smooth.

*We usually double the recipe*

Making your child's birthday cake is fun. It doesn't have to look perfect. They will think it is special just because you made it especially for them.

For more great frugal recipes, go to $5 Dinners!

-Robin