by EK Wills
Who doesn’t like cake? Apparently, one of our children, because not everyone has the same tastes.
This provided the opportunity to look at other options for celebrating with candles that does not involve cake. I came up with fruit versions, ice cream substitutes and even a box with goodies inside as just a few cake alternatives.
These can also cater to kids that have dietary requirements such as gluten free, egg free or any other variation, depending on what your ingredients are.
Boxed Goodies
The simplest option is to create a box that looks like a cake and can be opened to reveal any type of treat your child prefers (or you prefer to provide).
Our older children like yum cha so when our youngest had his first birthday celebration, we opted for fortune cookies inside his box. And I decided to make it like a treasure by decorating the outside with homemade ocean paraphernalia and added chocolate coins and some sweets like jewels inside.
Tip:
Turn the box upside down so that the box acts like a cover that reveals the contents in a shallow base (the lid). It will fit inside the lid so remember to decorate the outside of the lid, too.
Ice-cream Varieties
There are always bought versions of ice-cream cakes, but there are
simple, cost effective options to DIY and can be dairy free if choosing fruit sorbet.
1. Flat ice-cream cones with scoops inside, tied together with a ribbon on a plate. (requires last minute configuring)
2. Ice-cream cups with upside down cones, arranged on a tiered plate. (this could be pre-scooped but may go soggy or scoop choices of flavours after singing happy birthday)
Tip:
Best to try these when having a home celebration to ensure ice-cream does not melt.
'Fruit' Cake
Fruit has many vibrant colours that can provide visual opportunities that are healthy.
It can be skewered, turned into salad or stacked in all sorted of variations.
Using melons cut to shape, a tiered ‘wedding cake’ style fruit stack can be decorated with smaller fruits.
To top if off, skewers of grapes and shapes like star fruit create more height and pizzazz.
Tip:
If fruit alone is too healthy, add a chocolate fountain to dip the fruit into like a fondue.
Jelly on a Plate
Jelly moulds supply options for cake shapes.
Or create a fountain effect with jelly cups and stack them on a tiered plate with fruit straps to simulate cascading water (or bubbly for a kids’ version of a champagne fountain).
Add water features such as cocktail umbrellas and retro sweets to create pools and islands. Jelly babies with rings look like people in inflatables.
Caramel buttons with pineapples appear as deserted islands.
Tip:
Add the sweets just prior to serving so they don’t melt or sink in the jelly.
(This can be fiddly so it s good to have an extra pair of hands on the day)
Pavlova Party
Meringue is a gluten-free option (but not egg free) that can be decorated in any array of ways. Large, cake sized portions or mini, individual serves can be topped with yoghurt (or cream) and fruit. Sprinkles or sweets offer alternatives.
Make your own or purchase pre-formed from the supermarket for fuss free decorating.
Tip:
Meringue can be very sweet so a tart topping will assist to balance this out.
These are just a few alternatives to cake for birthday parties to point you in the cake free direction. Any other suggestions are welcome and can be added in as a comment.
Happy celebrating!
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