A 1st Birthday Cake

 

Mommy likes to create special cakes for each of the children's birthdays.  The cake's theme is either something the child has requested or something that represents the child.  In this case a number '1' for Gretta's 1st Birthday.

I used one cake mix and split the batter between a standard loaf pan, a mini loaf pan, and an 8" round cake pan.

 

After the cakes cooled, I leveled the loaf by cutting off the raised center.

Then I cut the loaf in half lengthwise.

 

On the mini loaf I cut the corner off, diagonally, at a 45 degree angle.

 

 Using a foil lined baking sheet, I placed the cut pieces to form the number '1'.  I then frosted the cake with thick vanilla pudding (use 1 1/2 cups milk instead of 2 cups), and created a boarder around the cake using sliced strawberries.  Basically Gretta got strawberry shortcake.  Yum.

You could decorate the cake anyway you like though.  For example: colored frosting with an M&M, Skittle, or jelly bean border.  

Note: I also decorated the 8" round cake the same way so the rest of the family could have some cake too.  Our 1st Birthday family tradition is to hand the whole cake over to the birthday child and let them have at it.  Gretta had cake in her hair before she was finished.  Very Cute.

 Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!