Baby Shower Cakes for a Great Centerpiece
Baby shower cakes are a great way to end a joyous baby shower party. Baby shower cakes are specially decorated for baby shower parties. Baby shower cakes can be designed to match the theme of the baby shower party. Baby shower cakes are not only delightful to look at, but they are also good to eat.
When shopping around for baby shower cakes, it’s a good idea to ask the mom-to-be what type of cake flavor she wants for the cake. Baby shower cakes can be made from any cake flavor and icing for the enjoyment of the celebrant and the other party guests.
Baby shower cakes are also interesting as there is no end to the creativity and design of these lovable cakes. Baby shower cakes make for an ideal centerpiece at the food table of the baby shower party.
Baby shower cakes are sometimes referred to as ‘diaper cakes’ or ‘baby cakes’. What’s the difference between them? Baby shower cakes are the actual cakes that can either be homemade or bought from the store. While ‘diaper cakes’ are baby shower basket cakes that consist of different baby items.
‘Diaper cakes’ may be a real cake decorated with baby diapers and assorted baby items. Or ‘diaper cakes’ may also be made of real baby diapers that are arranged like a layered cake.
The decorations of the ‘diaper cake’ consists of a variety of baby items for the newborn. ‘Diaper cakes’ are wrapped in cellophane and tied with adorable ribbons for a finished look. Like the scrumptious baby shower cakes, ‘diaper cakes’ make for interesting conversation during the baby shower party.
Homemade Baby Shower Cakes
The process of making baby shower cakes is the same as making any other type of cake. However, creating homemade baby shower cakes requires a certain degree of creativity and baking ability to arrange one for a baby shower party.
Individuals who are adept in cake decorating and are gifted bakers may do well in creating baby shower cakes for friends’ baby shower parties. The celebrant and guests will surely appreciate the effort that went into the creation of the homemade cake for the shower.
There are a number of helpful baking items that can be used to create homemade baby shower cakes. Many baking supply stores offer a wide variety of special baking pans with different designs for baby shower cakes. Popular cartoon characters on special baking pans make great baby shower cakes.
Store-Bought Baby Shower Cakes
But those who are not skilled in baking need not worry. There are numerous specialty bakeshops that create exceptional baby shower cakes. Many specialty bakeshops can also customize baby shower cakes to match the theme of the baby shower party.
It is important to get baby shower cakes from a quality bakeshop that specializes in designer cakes. This will ensure that the cake is fresh, good-tasting and aesthetically appealing.
It is best to shop for baby shower cakes in advance in order to get the just right cake for the baby shower party. It is also important to shop early as most of the best specialty bakeshops offering baby shower cakes are also the busiest in town.
Whether homemade or store-bought, baby shower cakes are a sweet ending to a festive baby shower party.
Baby Shower Cake Ideas
A baby shower is a form of celebration that aims to welcome the newest member in the family. Although baby showers were originally intended only for first-borns, modern practices now allow baby shower parties for every baby that comes in the family.
Baby showers are usually organized and arranged by the relatives and close friends of the parents-to-be. They are a good way to help parents get started with the things that they need for the baby.
Note, however, that there are some cultures and religious beliefs that do not consider it proper and that it is considered bad luck to have a party and bring baby things in the house before the baby is born.
Over the years, baby showers have evolved into various names, such as the following:
· “Daddy’s shower” – a men-only party for dads-to-be
· “Grandma’s shower” – a party where guests bring baby items (such as collapsible cribs and changing pads) that grandparents can keep at their house.
· “Diaper showers” or “baby sprinkles” – a small-scale party that is usually held for succeeding children, and ideal for parents who do not need as many items (or gifts).
It is common for a baby shower to have a theme, to which the entire party centers on. Baby shower essentials typically include games, presents, and food… and a cake!
A party is not complete without a cake, and this also applies to baby showers.
Cakes are one of the great things about baby showers, and they can be made using various basic techniques, such as the following:
1. All-in-together – this is done by placing the dry ingredients in a food processor (together with the shortening) before gradually adding the liquid ingredients.
2. Creaming method – this is done by ‘creaming’ butter and sugar together before gradually adding the rest of the ingredients.
3. Rubbing method – this is done by ‘rubbing’ the butter into the dry ingredients before adding the liquid ones.
4. Melt-and-mix – this is done by first mixing the dry ingredients together, adding the melted butter and the other liquid ingredients afterward to complete the cake.
5. Sponge-making – this is done by whipping the eggs and sugar into a froth, with the flour carefully mixed in. Making a light sponge requires great skill, as it does not use any raising agent or fat.
Finished cakes are usually enhanced with the use of frosting (icing) or toppings (such as sprinkles.
There are different varieties of baby shower cakes to choose from. Some of them are listed below:
· Angelfood cake
· Butter cake
· Butterfly cake
· Carrot cake
· Cheesecake
· Chocolate cake
· Chiffon cake
· Cupcake
· Devil’s food cake
· Fruit cake
· Gingerbread
· Ice cream cake
· Mooncake
· Pineapple upside down cake
· Pound cake
· Spice cake
· Sponge cake
Aside from the cake varieties above, there are also a lot of baby shower cake ideas that can make a baby shower celebration more special:
1. Belly Cake. One great idea is to design a baby shower cake and make it look like a pregnant belly. This can be done by placing a circular cake in front of a rectangular cake and frosting them together to resemble that of a pregnant belly.
2. Toy Blocks Cake. Another idea is to design a baby shower cake and make it look like children’s toy blocks (either one large block or 3 to 4 smaller blocks). Toy block cakes can be further enhanced by surrounding them with candies or little toy cars.
Of course, you can also experiment and try to come up with creative ideas of your own. Remember that the ‘goal’ is not only to make a yummy dessert, but also a great centerpiece that will stand out in the memories of the parents-to-be.
Preparing Baby Shower Cake Centerpiece
Preparing for a baby shower party can be a tedious task. You need to define the guest list. You need to conceptualize the theme, print and send the invitations, and then prepare for the special date itself.
For the party, you will think about what decorations to use on the place, what will be the program, what games to have, what baby shower favors to give, and, what to serve.
During the baby shower party, the table centerpiece is most likely to be a baby shower cake. The baby shower cake cannot be similar to the cake that can just be bought from the local bakeshop.
It is better if you or one of the guests baked the baby shower cake. Doing so will also assure you that the cake that will be served as a table centerpiece is in accordance with the theme that you have conceptualized.
Of course, preordering the cake will also be fine as long as you give enough time for the cake to be prepared and that you have discussed with the person who will prepare the cake the concept of the baby shower party and how you would like the cake to look.
However, if you have some baking skills, or if you can follow instructions from cookbooks well, it is advantageous to prepare the cake yourself. You can use your creativity for the design and you can always ask for help from friends. Needless to mention, it is also less costly.
To prepare the baby shower cake, check online for tried and tested recipes and designs. You can also choose the flavor of the baby shower cake.
Usually, the designs and shapes of baby shower cakes are nursery items. These are flowers, birds, butterflies, baby-shaped, toys, and other kid stuff. The most common icing colors are yellow, pink, blue, green and white.
In addition, if you have scheduled the baby shower after the baby was born, you can also ask for the baby’s picture and have professional cake decorators create an edible cake design using the baby’s picture.
Another idea for the baby shower cake is to use diapers. That’s right – diapers. Of course, this cake is not for the guests to enjoy. However, the mom will definitely appreciate it if there is already a stack of diapers prepared for the baby.
To prepare a diaper cake, all you need to do is carefully stack rolled diapers into several levels (having three levels is suggested).
You may use laces and ribbons to keep the diapers in place. However, make sure that you did not tie the diapers too tightly together to prevent them from being deformed. Deformed diapers will be useless and will just end up in the garbage bin.
The diaper cake can also be placed as a table centerpiece. If you still prefer to have a real cake for the baby shower, you can bake or order a simple cake from the bakeshop.
After preparing the table centerpiece, you need to combine it with good baby shower food. Most of the time, snacks, tea, desserts, and punches are served.
You can also have some barbecues and grilled foods, in case you have invited some male guests. The dads can bond and have some conversation while attending to the grills. This way, everyone can participate in welcoming the new member of the family.
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Photo by Henley Design Studio