the perfect birthday cake.

After laying Patrick down for bed about 45 minutes ago, I got ultra motivated to research and plan the menu for his 2nd birthday party next month.  Good food is essential, so I'm putting a lot of thought into it.  Last year's menu was amazing and will be hard to top, but I will try.  Now that his "buddies" are a getting older I have to have stupid kid food so their parents don't beat me - things like crackers & cheese, fruit skewers, and processed pigs-in-a-blanket.  But I'll do it, just for the kids.

For the adults on the other hand, I can go all out.  I found an amazing sandwich idea, but I'll have to separate all the ingredients so my picky sister-in-law doesn't cringe.  Picky eaters annoy the crap out of me.  (I still love you Jackie.)  I'm also thinking something like bruschetta and a really colorful pasta salad.

Despite my love for a good main dish menu, the cake is downright the most important item at a birthday party - it makes or breaks it.  Last year I did a yellow cake with chocolate frosting (I forgot the vanilla, remember?  I suck.)  This year I'm thinking something more autumn.  Spice?  Apples?  Something like that.  Here are a few choices that are to die for.

chocolate cake with whipped fudge filling & chocolate buttercream

Out of the 40 impressive birthday cakes I found on CHOW, this was my first instinct.  It screams party.  My only hesitation is the chocolate-drizzle cage - I could jack up the whole thing in a matter of seconds.

cinnamon-walnut bundt cake

I love this idea because it's different.  You don't see bundt cakes at birthday parties, but I think we could pull it off.  Once again, a hesitation:  walnuts.  Frikking nut allergies ruin everything.

easy carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

My grandma is a carrot cake beast, so I could have her give me a few tips if I went with this one.  Most people love carrot cake, right? 

apple spice layer cake with caramel swirl icing

This sounds like it would taste amazing, but I'm not so sure I can get away with the look of it.  Knowing me, it would end up lopsided.  Or a big pile of mush.

chocolate rum tres leches cake

Can I put rum in a cake that kids will be eating?  Maybe I should just make the kids cake pops??  Come on, this looks incredible.  Chocolate shavings?  Yes please.  By the way, "tres leches" is spanish meaning "three milks."  Interesting.

pumpkin swirl cheesecake

Is the first week in September too early for pumpkin?  If not, I may end up doing this one along with another.  I just don't think I can say no (and I'm not a huge cheesecake fan!)


So what do you think?  I'm leaning towards the chocolate on chocolate up top.  Or the three milks.  Actually, what I really want it someone to whip one up for me right at this very moment.  Please and thank you.  Sincerely, your pregnant friend.