Party Ideas: DIY Cakes

There is a crazy little monkey in our house that is getting ready to turn a big THREE years old in 4 short weeks. AH! How did this happen?! Every year I get a little freaked out about my little baby boy getting another year older, and this year is no exception. We are doing a preschool walk through on Wednesday for him… And if you ask him, he’ll tell you “Mom! I’m ready for school!” as he puts his backpack on. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

After Will’s First and Second birthday parties, I feel like we’re seasoned pros, now. The key is in the theme. Pick something that not only your guest of honor is excited about, but something you are excited about, too. It also makes it fun for the Hubby to get involved & help when he likes the theme, too.

This little dude of ours is obsessed, OBSESSED, I tell you!, with superheroes. Iron Man is numero uno. A super thank you to the movie industry for cranking out all those movies in the last few years… I can recite the words to both Iron Man and Iron Man 2. I’m working on Captain America and Thor. And I’m pretty sure we will ALL be going to the midnight showing of the Avengers. Best parents or worst parents ever… you decide. But uh…have you seen the new trailer?! It looks amazing! Obviously we have put on our Superhero Party Planning Hats around here.

We got this awesome cake pan for Christmas. I’ve been dying to use it, but Hubby beat me to it! And then he had a great idea… Why don’t we make a bunch of these for Will’s party?! Everyone can decorate their own sweet treat! 

I’m pretty sure this is a Win-Win-Win-Win-Win?-Win idea.
(A) It’s cost effective since we aren’t getting a fancy cake made – Check!
(#2) It’s less work for me/us since all we have to do is make the icing, pick up some sprinkles & other edible décor, and bake.
and (C) Time saved on actually having to put it together! Yes, it might get a little messy, but that’s what kids do… they get messy! That’s what makes it fun!

It was time for a practice run:

The cakes come out incredibly detailed. INCREDIBLE! It’s a shame to even put icing on them because they are just so cool. And a little bonus is the crunchy exterior. Who knew a little crust on your cake was so delicious?!
Hubby just put some gel food coloring in regular white out-of-the-can icing so we had some variety. The colors came out sharp.

Next, it was decorating time:

Obviously…it was more fun to lick it the icing…
And everything is more fun with your shirt off.

And our finished products:

Hubby made Hulk. Will was in charge of Iron Man. And Will made it very well known that Thor was Mom’s. What can I say… This Momma loves her some Thor. Mom might even be hoping that Thor has his shirt off a little more in The Avengers movie. You know you hope it, too. Don’t lie.

Notes that I made for this lovely little party activity – Extra wipes for little hands and faces before, during, and after decorating. And extra paper towels. And maybe some popsicle sticks for easy spreading.  It’s going to be messy. And it’s going to be awesome birthday fun!

Has anyone done this before for a party? Any tips or tricks that made it even better? Have you seen any cute superhero-y sprinkles? I’d love to hear about it! I’m on the hunt for some fun stuff to eat & decorate with!