Birthday Cakes with a theme – Cheap!

There are 2 things I refuse to do when it comes to kids birthday cakes!

I refuse to pay $20 plus dollars on a birthday cake when the only people there are the 5 in my family plus grandparents and
I refuse to make a cake that involves real cake decorating and mixing icing colors. (I’ve done that in the past and for me it’s just too much work There are some people who love this – but that’s just not me.

Here’s how I make our kids birthday cakes and they are always thrilled. I don’t spend more than $10.00 for their cakes. Usually less!

I make a cake from the cake mix (usually use a coupon and spend less than $1 on the mix)

Use the Betty Crocker whipped icing (my favorite because it is smoother than regular icing; use coupon, and buy on sale.)

Use a toy that matches the theme for the party for the cake decoration. Double bonus: this serves as one of their gifts + it is the cake decor! For this last birthday, I used Little Einsteins rocket toy that we already had. Washed it well before hand so it would be brand new clean and dry. Of course I wouldn’t use the toy if it was well worn but these toys are usually just played with in the house anyway.

Use writing Icing that I bought on clearance last Fall with coupon so I could write the childs name.

I’m done! and if I do say so myself – the cake looks pretty good. I’m thrilled to have a fun cake for my kids and I’m pleased that I invested so little money in something that is gone in 10 minutes!

In the past, I have used a small Lego Indiana Jones or Star Wars then added some extra lego pieces for additional color. I used pet shop toys one year and put them on cupcakes.

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