Rice Krispie Treats

One of the easiest desserts you and the family can make are rice krispie treats. Not only are they gooey and delicious, but they are made with simple ingredients you may already have around your house. If you aren’t sure plain squares fit your party theme, try to make the treats into shapes. The marshmallow glue allows you to easily shape your dessert into fun animal characters or even letters to spell out your kiddo’s name, a great way to personalize the dessert just as you would on a birthday cake.

Cookie Cake

Not all people are a fan of a traditional cake, so why not give them a cookie cake? Giant cookies are always a crowd-pleaser that is fun and unique. If you want just one big cookie, go ahead and choose a more popular flavor that most people will enjoy, like sugar or chocolate chip. If you want some more variety, bake special flavors but as a smaller “cake” so that your guests can pick and choose which cookie they would like to eat.

You can also make the cookie cake a part of your birthday party activities by having each child pick their favorite flavor and then having them decorate their cookie however they please!

Donut Tower

Maybe you are looking for birthday party dessert ideas for kids that aren’t going to take a lot of time or effort to make, due to a busy schedule. One solution is to create a donut cake tower. There are plenty of local donut shops you can run into or order delivery from that will have dozens of flavors at a reasonable price. Then grab a tiered centerpiece, place the donuts, and voila! You have yourself a delicious donut tower.

Not only will this please your guests, but the tower makes for a great photo-op to share on social media or your scrapbook. The tower adds a modern twist on a traditional cake and will be the most “Instagram worthy” piece of your party.

Birthday Cannoli

You may not think of cannolis when you think of birthdays, but they make for a festive party dessert. These crunchy and creamy sweets are fun to make and fun to present to your guests, as many won’t expect them as your dessert. You can even add your own twist on the traditional cannoli by adding chocolate coating and sprinkles. The best is they are a fairly simple DIY project. Find out how to make a birthday cannoli with this recipe!

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

These cupcakes are no average cupcakes. Instead of having sticky fingers, cupcake wrappers, and melting ice cream all over your home, why not take the best of both worlds and put them together! With ice cream cone cupcakes you get the cupcake and ice cream cone without the mess. This way the children will easily be able to hold the cupcake without getting icing all over their hands. Follow this guide to put these cones together.

Pancakes

Breakfast isn’t only for the morning, so why not make some pancakes for dessert. Although pancakes can be simple to mix up, they can take up a lot of time and effort while baking, depending on the number of pancakes you have to make. For the birthday dessert, make sure you consider the number of guests coming to the party, the children’s age, your budget, and more.

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches offer a wide variety of combinations and flavors, making it great for a birthday party full of different taste buds. These can be messy so it may be best to consider if your kiddo is turning five or older. That way you don’t have melted ice cream all over the house! Another perk? Easy to make. Just go out and buy some of your favorite ice cream flavors and cookies and have the guests put their dessert together.

Brownies

Brownies are always a crowd pleaser and can still be decorated like a birthday cake! Similar to rice krispie treats or cookies, you can bake brownies into different shapes to fit your party theme. Several recipes can be found on the internet or you can buy mixes at any local grocery store.

S’mores Table

If you are looking for a fun activity to do with your child’s guests, a s’mores table is a great idea. Once again, make sure to consider the age of your guests with this one as little ones may not be so careful with fire. You can find a small heater and skewers to roast marshmallows with and then lay out all the goodies you want for the kids to try. You can do traditional s’mores or add some frosting and sprinkles to the mix, to add a birthday twist.

Cake Pops

Similar to the ice cream cone cupcakes, cake pops can be an easy to eat and easy to clean-up birthday dessert. There are molds you can buy to help you make your own or you can go to a bakeshop to discuss different flavors and toppings you can order. Either way, homemade or store-bought, cake pops are a fan favorite.

Finding birthday party dessert ideas can be tough, but with these top 10 options, you will be sure to have sweet treats that will not only taste great but look great too. For more party ideas and family fun, visit https://www.pumpitupparty.com/

203-939-9600
4 New Canaan Ave, Norwalk, CT Best of the Gold Coast winner, Best Cupcakes 2014, 2015, 2016
Nationwide order and delivery
Themes, pull apart cakes, cake pops
http://www.foreversweetbakery.com/

• • Carvel Ice Cream

203-846-3002
456 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
Ice cream cakes, rectangle, additional fee can have edible image printed on cake

• • Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery

203-810-4378
22 Knight Street, Norwalk, CT
Not a retail store and hours are by appointment only
Vegan, Gluten Free, No eggs, Kosher, No Preservatives, No Peanuts or Tree Nuts
http://www.ibcakes.com/

We’ve all had them; those butterflies that go along with waiting for the final words to, “Happy Birthday.” And now, your little one is sitting before the sweet smelling buttercream frosting, watching the candlelight dance along with the tune, knowing that the next exhalation will create those soft wisps of smoke, gently carrying their wishes away. No smile from your child is more precious, no giggles more contagious, and no cake will taste sweeter than one that is bought for their birthday.

It is in that tradition of celebration, that I bring you some of Norwalk’s best cake bakeries and the wonders that each hold within!

Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery

Izzi B’s Allergen Free Bakery was founded by Chef Pam Nicholas who struggled with finding yummy ways of bringing cakes and treats to her little girl’s birthday parties due to a severe food allergy. Through her culinary training and a mother’s love, Chef Pam opened Izzi B’s and created an answer for mom and dads that struggled with finding gluten free, nut free, no need to run for the EpiPen, tasty alternatives. Ordering is simple but does require an appointment as the bakery itself is not set up for retail visitors. Prompt service and delivery make it a breeze to coordinate for your next party but what’s more, the love in each dessert is sure to surpass any idea one may have about vegan sweets!

Forever Sweet Bakery

Speaking of baking with love… Forever Sweet Bakery in Norwalk features some of the best cupcakes on the Gold Coast. Don’t believe me? This innovative and inviting cake shop has garnered three consecutive Best of the Gold Coast Awards for you guessed it; their cupcakes. For owners Frances and Sky Mercede, it’s all about bringing people together with family recipes and great customer service. From themed cakes all the way to their award winning cupcake flavors, anyone that makes a wish with a Forever Sweet treat at the base will be halfway there with their first bite!

Carvel Ice Cream Cakes

Now, if you just so happen to have booked your child’s birthday party with Pump it Up in the past or know the incredible benefits of hosting a party with us, you know that virtually EVERYTHING is taken care of, including your cake choices. Here at our Norwalk location, we proudly offer Carvel ice cream cakes for all of our parties. Hosts can submit pictures, cartoon images, or even team designs to have printed atop their satisfying, frozen treat and with the summer months ahead, it would be the perfect addition to a birthday party. When Tom Carvel opened his first store front in 1936 he made a commitment much like the one our party planners, managers, and owners make when we come into work daily; to make customers smile.

So, whether you are looking for a gluten free option made with love, award winning cupcakes with outstanding reviews, or a name like Carvel with years of making people smile behind them, you can be sure, Norwalk has the best!

But how do you you capture the fun and excitement of the game they love and infuse it into their birthday like a spa infuses that great fruit flavor into their water? By having an NFL star show up at the party. OK, that’s not realistic. So, for the rest of us, it starts and ends with an amazing football themed birthday cake.

We’ve compiled our favorites that you can make as the quarterback of your kitchen that will ensure that your kid’s birthday party is a BIG win for the home team.

The Football Shaped Cake

The most iconic part of football? The football itself. Yeah, it’s kind of obvious when you say it out loud.

So why not make a cake that looks just like the real thing. OK, so maybe not just like it, but close enough.

Our friends over at Leaf.TV provide a great how to guide to make this sweet looking football birthday cake.

Customized Cupcake Football Jersey

Most kids don’t like getting clothes for their birthday. That is unless that article of clothing is an edible football jersey with their name on it.

LaHootBakery.comhas the lowdown on how to make a simple yet amazing personalized football jersey kids birthday cake using just cupcakes, frosting and some decent handwriting. And don’t worry, unlike when you buy clothes for a kid’s birthday, you don’t have to fuss about the size of this one.

Football Cake Pops

Want to feel like you won the big game with little effort? Try out these great football cake pops and be the champion of your kid’s birthday party.

Made from pound cake, chocolate and vanilla frosting even a redshirt freshman in the kitchen could look like an all-pro making these in the kitchen.

HomeIsWheretheBoatIs.com has a step-by-step guide on how to make these tiny treats. Just remember, like we learned in Ace Ventura, you always want the laces out.

Snap…Crackle…Hut…Hut…Hike

We’ve shown you football cakes and cake pops but could we interest you in something of the cereal variety to serve at your kid’s next birthday party?

That’s where the guys, Snap, Crackle and Pop, over at RiceKrispies.com come in. They have a recipe for mini footballs made of  Cocoa Krispies, marshmallows, peanut butter, frosting and a few other ingredients.  They’re not only easy to follow but they sound completely delicious for any kid’s birthday party or, if you make extra, for those late night cravings the few days after.

While there is a lot that we can do to make amazing parties for our kids, at some point we have to admit our limitations. For most of us, that’s baking amazingly beautiful cakes that look like everyday items. Much like skyscrapers and Ryan Gosling, just because we can’t make them doesn’t mean they aren’t fun to look at.

With that in mind, every once in awhile we’re going to take the time to round up our favorite kids birthday cakes from around the web so we all can enjoy looking at them. If it it means realizing if we tried to make them, it’d look like an abstract version of the original.

(WARNING: These are professionals do not try and home and please don’t get discouraged.)

Лидер заказов, ” Холодное сердце” ❄️❄️❄️ #торт#торты#холодноесердце#эльза#олов#тортназаказ#baby#babycake#babycakes#frosen#birthday#birthdaycake#birthdaycakes#cakebirthday#cake#cakes#cakestagram#cakemania#cakedesign#couturecakes#amazing#cakegallery#cakeoftheday#cakeboss#мелодиявкуса#тортхолодноесердце#birthdayparty#cakelover#cakelove

A photo posted by Кондитерская “Мелодия Вкуса” (@melodia_vkusa) on Jun 16, 2016 at 7:40am PDT

Minnie! ❤️ #buttercream #normanbakery #customcakes #birthdaycakes #minniecake

A photo posted by Amy Cullifer (@amycakes7) on Jun 16, 2016 at 6:47am PDT

@Regrann from @hippienhappy: #animaltheme #birthdaycakes #winnersh #berkshire – via #Regrann #repost

A photo posted by @shadessofbeautiful on Jun 16, 2016 at 3:25am PDT

#despicableme #minions #cakeart #cakeboutique #cake #cakedesign #fondant #fondantcake #fondantart #customcakes #customdecorating #instacake #cakestagram #sweetart #instasweet #cutthecake #delish #iwantcake #instalicious #cakesinstyle #sweetfantasy #yummy #distinctivetaste #innovativeart #birthdaycakes #julie

A photo posted by Sweet Fantasy (@cake_boutique_sweet_fantasy) on Jun 16, 2016 at 12:31am PDT

#buttercreamcake #lovecakes #cakemiami #cakekendall #bestcakeever #bestcake #simplycakes #simplycakesmiami #birthdaycakes #cake #cakes #cakestagram #decoratecake #bestcakeinmiami #cakebysimplycakes #miamicakes #imaginationcakes #creativecakes #dreamcake #bestcakeinmiami #elephantbaby #elephantcake #elephantbabyshower #tealandgraycake

A photo posted by Marisa Escamilla (@simplycakesmiami) on Jun 15, 2016 at 7:32pm PDT

The zoo, located in Washington D.C., decided to celebrate the 1st birthday of Bei Bei, their young panda, in style. The party consisted of a 150 pound frozen cake made from apple, carrots and beet juice and took two full weeks to make, according to Time.com. Don’t worry though, unlike most cakes us homo sapiens partake in on our birthdays, this one won’t add to the little panda’s waistline. That’s because it was created by the nutrition department at the zoo so it’s 100% healthy for our furry friend.

That wasn’t all the party consisted of though. People around the world were encouraged to take part in the festivities via Facebook Live.

Bei Bei officially turned one on Monday and apparently his sister Bao Bao also celebrated a birthday this past week as she celebrated her 3rd birthday on Tuesday. The month of August is a family affair when it comes to birthdays as their father Tian Tian turns 19 on August 27 according to the Washington Post.

A panda birthday party with a 150 pound birthday cake? Yeah, we know it’s bearly believable if it weren’t for these great videos. (Sorry we couldn’t resist.)

Matt Overton, the aforementioned long snapper, has made it a tradition the last two years to forego the extra calories and sweetness that comes hand-in-hand with a birthday cake in favor of a more savory caloric intake. A Taco Bell cake complete with candles.

No, we’re not talking about the normal vanilla or chocolate fare covered with fondant and shaped to look like the Mexican cuisine found at the fastfood giant. We’re talking about a tower made with actual items from there.

The birthday cake of champions @TacoBell pic.twitter.com/9jk4y0hKC7

— Matt (@MattOverton_LS) July 6, 2014

What started as what we can only imagine as a gag, became a tradition by Overton’s 30th birthday party.

.@tacobell 30 never tasted better & it’s now a tradition! #CakeOfChamps pic.twitter.com/1Uuatpg8fk

— Matt (@MattOverton_LS) July 6, 2015

So what happened when 31 rolled around recently? You guessed it, more tacos, crunchwraps and burritos but this time Taco Bell beat Overton to the punch, tweeting him their own special message.

Happy Birthday, @MattOverton_LS. This year, we thought it was our turn to make you a 🎂. pic.twitter.com/6KePKu81kg

— Taco Bell (@tacobell) July 6, 2016

No word on whether or not they actually delivered the treat to the birthday boy but one thing is for sure, these are easily the oddest birthday cakes we’ve ever seen at a party.

That’s right, they’re cookies made from the same mix you’d make that traditional kids’ birthday cakes with but with half the work. It sounds weird but we guarantee the kids in attendance at your next birthday party will love these sweet treats and you’ll love the hour of time you earn back in your busy day. These birthday cake mix cookies are the right combination of delicious and portable for kids from 3-to-83 you’ll have running around and having fun at your party.

Don’t take our word for it. Check out this great video explaining how to make them from our friends over at TasteAndTellBlog.com.

No need to worry though, it’s not just strawberry flavored cake that works for this. Deborah over at Taste and Tell has 12 different recipes that span from butter pecan to M&M. There’s most definitely a flavor that will fit the complicated palate of your little one and their friends.

With these cookies the possibilities are endless for what you can do for your next kids’ birthday party!

This week learn the tips and tricks to make sure your child’s 1st birthday smash cake shoot is a success and hear all about the craziest trends in smash cakes. Plus, a Batman V. Superman cake that actually flies? Yep, it’s real and it’s spectacular. All that and much more coming up on the inaugural edition of The Wrap.

Enter Samantha Davis of Happy Hippo Photography. She answered all the burning questions about doing a 1st birthday smash cake shoot that we, and probably you too, wanted to know about this new tradition.

Let’s Throw Something: Why do you think smash cake shoots have become so popular for kids’ 1st birthdays lately?

Samantha: I feel like the concept of a “smash cake” has always been popular. And the concept of first birthday pictures has always been pretty popular. It’s just recently that your typical “mall photo session” has decreased in popularity and organic, natural light photographers have really started to become a trend. In fact, when I was in the mall the other day, I saw that JC Penney is now offering “outdoor photo sessions” on certain days and times, likely in an attempt to compete with the new trend.

So all that being said, if you think back to your childhood home videos, and photographs of your own first birthday, the cake is almost always the biggest focus. Why? Because babies covered in birthday cake are cute, the reaction to such a new and sweet food is priceless, and birthday cake is the heart of any birthday celebration. So, with so many choosing to do first birthday pictures as part of the growing photography trend, it only makes sense to add in such a big memory into those pictures! That’s just my thought process at least 🙂

LTS: What’s the key to planning a good smash cake shoot?

Samantha:  The key to planning a good cake smash session is to keep it simple and not have too many expectations. There is nothing wrong with having ideas, getting crafty, and having an elaborate plan for your child’s first birthday pictures. But from experience, babies have a tendency to not be Pinterest followers and therefore end up playing with dirt, grass, rocks, their toes, and basically anything other than the object they are intended to interact with. Keeping it simple and just expecting your baby to be the sweet and curious toddler they are, will make for a happy baby and lots of smiles and an enjoyable, stress free time for mom and dad!

Aside from that, the basics for any successful baby outing: a good nap, a full belly, some favorite toys, and don’t forget wipes for clean up! I also recommend allowing your baby to get familiar with the idea of birthday cake a couple times before the day of the shoot, so that they aren’t upset by it on the day of. Just a couple bites a few days before just to gauge their reaction, so that we can adjust the plan if necessary.

LTS: How many birthday outfits do you recommend a parent have for their child for the shoot?

Samantha:  When it comes to outfits, I usually recommend no more than three. Simply because most babies aren’t a huge fan of being changed, and the key is to keep the kiddo happy for as long as possible. I recommend outfits you can double. For example, you might start with a t-shirt and some shorts, then if you want to switch it up, just grab another shirt that will match the same pair of shorts. When it comes to the actual birthday cake smash, this would be a great time to break out any “themed” outfits you might have! Shirts that say “I’m One!” or fluffy tutu’s for little girls. My personal favorite though, and usually the most popular, is just bottoms (ie bloomers or diaper cover for girls, jean shorts with suspenders for boys) with no top, because they are going to get so messy anyway, and it helps show off the last of the baby belly and sweet baby rolls before they become little toddlers!

Also, it’s good to try to keep the location that you are wanting to do your pictures in mind when picking outfits. If you know you’re going to have a white fence in the background, white might not be the best choice. If you know you’re wanting lots of green grass and trees, too much green and too busy of an outfit probably won’t work well. When all else fails, chat with your photographer! I’m sure they will have no problem offering suggestions!

LTS: What kind of location is best for a birthday smash cake shoot?

Samantha:  As far as location goes, it is fully dependent on the child. I prefer places that are low traffic, so as to lessen distractions, and obviously an area where your little one can move around safely. Desert birthday cake smash sessions can be hard on little knees if they are not yet walking. And when it comes to greenery, many babies do not prefer the feel of grass. All of these things can be easily solved with a few blankets, but they are just something to keep in mind when you are thinking of where you’d like to go. I personally prefer areas with simple, open backgrounds. Since little ones can be so unpredictable, and they wiggle and move a ton, making sure that you can still get great shots from any angle is important! Many photographers will also offer studio sessions, and I have previously set up a mini studio type session in clients’ homes, so it really is up to parents as to where they think their little one will be the happiest.

LTS: What type of birthday cake makes for the best smash cake?

Samantha:A birthday cake can make or break a photo session! If your little one is dressed adorable, and the location is beautiful, and then the birthday cake is too busy or out of theme, it can make photos awkward and off. A small, white or yellow cake with a lightly colored or plain whipped or buttercream frosting is usually going to be what photographs best. Fondant isn’t messy and can be difficult for little hands to break into. Chocolate and chocolate frosting can sometimes look a little unappetizing after it gets all mushed up. Bringing a #1 candle can be helpful too, as many babies aren’t super interested in the actual cake, and often use the candle to play in the cake which creates the same effect. If you’re able, I always recommend finding a local baker to make you a specific “smash cake.” Most bakers will know that this means a smaller cake with a very simple design, with a frosting that will be nice and soft for better effect. If you’re on a budget and cannot afford an actual baker, you can go into almost any grocery store and ask for a small round cake with nothing but simple white buttercream or maybe just a few little designs here and there. Save the big themed cakes (think characters and elaborate drawings) for their birthday party, and just bring something simple and small for pictures. I’ve even had great success with a simple homemade cupcake with a few sprinkles. But simple is key!

And also, just to add, feel free to get creative! A “smash cake” doesn’t always have to be a cake! I have had parents do chips and salsa, watermelon, and pie too!

1. 1. Lemon Cake Balls with a Raspberry White Chocolate Covering

Whether you’re having a baseball or basketball themed party or a Star Wars BB-8 shindig, the decorating possibilities on these sweet treats are endless.

(Image Credit: StopLookinGetCookin.com)

Get the recipe here from Stop Lookin Get Cookin.

1. 1. Layered Chocolate Coconut Fudge

Food allergies and very specific things are all the rage. Why not make this tasty treat for your kid’s next birthday party that is as all-inclusive as it is sweet? The best part? This gluten free, vegan and paleo friendly fudge doesn’t even have to be baked!

(Image Credit: Michelle PaleoRunningMomma.com)

Get the recipe and instructions here!

1. 1. Strawberry Rolls with Vanilla Glaze

Sleepover parties are always a kid favorite for birthdays but what do you do to celebrate the occasion when the guests wake up? You can’t really serve cake for breakfast but why not try a unique alternative and sing happy birthday around these great early morning treats?

(Image Credit: BakerByNature.com)

Get a description of the taste, step-by-step instructions and ingredient list here.

1. 1. Peanut Butter Cookie Brownies

Do you have a little one who loves chocolate and peanut butter? Then this is the perfect birthday cake alternative for their next party. It combines the ooey-gooey deliciousness of a peanut butter cookie with the warm decodence of a chocolate brownie. What kid wouldn’t love that?

(Image Credit: Julie LovelyLittleKitchen.com)

Find out how to make these scrumptious little treats at LovelyLittleKitchen.com.

1. 1. Mini Cheesecake Cups

Admittedly this one won’t be for everyone, but for those of you with youngins with discerning palates, these could be a total home run. With their graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, strawberry glaze and caramel drizzle, they pack quite the flavor in a little package. Let’s see a birthday cake top all that.

(Image Credit: ChefSavvy.com)

Get this simple 15 step recipe that shows you how to create these great tiny treats at ChefSavvy.com.