When Allison from O My Family told me her gorgeous little man was celebrating his first birthday soon, I knew immediately that I wanted to make him a cake. When she sent me her invite, I was smitten.
It was classically beautiful, had wonderful color, and the most simple, perfect design. (this is not the actual invite, just the banner from her blog)
How cute is that?
This was one of those rare times when I really wanted to go literal with my interpretation. You really can’t improve on that sweet little design!
When we discussed flavors she mentioned banana… yay! Just so happens I have a great new banana cake recipe. So I did banana for the little top layer and the Best Chocolate Cake for the bottom layer.
The top layer set on its own piece of cardboard so that they could remove it for O’ Baby to eat when birthday cake time arrived.
I also made a couple of little embellishments for them to add later… I didn’t want them broken in transit.
The #1 was to place in the top layer and the little birdie (part of the invitation, not shown above, sorry!) was to place wherever they wanted to on the cake.. or just to give to sweet O’ Baby.
I loved the polka dot embellishment on the invite… so I knew I had to incorporate it somewhere. I just added dots around the edge with the left over icing I used on the cookies.
Speaking of the cookies… wanna see how easy they were?
Just roll out your cookie dough and then make (roughly) one inch strips. I then just used my spatula and made diagonal cuts to create the flags.
Just ice and let dry! After they had been left out about 24 hours I attached them to the cake with some of the buttercream icing I made.
Hope Allison and family enjoyed their cake… I know I certainly enjoyed making it!
*****
One more thing…
I am so excited to tell you about something I am participating in this year! (I think you can see my contribution starting on Wednesday, July 21st…just click here.)
Some sweet ladies ( A Southern Fairytale, According to Kelly, and Skip to My Lou) decided to put together a fun, festive, blog carnival.
Its genius really… Christmas in July!
I am always so behind in my crafts and gifts and baking that time of year… why not get some done right now? The links that these creative girls have assembled for you is quite amazing… and be sure to check out the list of blogs participating. Some huge names in the blogging world. (I cant believe they let me play!)
I am totally bookmarking pages for ideas… my friend sand family are going to be getting some pretty cool gifts this year!
This is seriously one of the cutest 1st birthday cakes I’ve seen. The way you hung the little flags on the cake actually make it look as if they are attached to string! Adding the little bird cookie was so sweet and having the removable layer for the little guy to *have at it* was really thoughtful.
That 1st birthday cake turned out ‘one’derful
Excellent job!
That cake is incredible. You are amazing!
awesome cake! and congrats on being a part of that!
My four year old just asked if we could have some of that beautiful cake. She said it’s a beautiful design. A really beautiful design. I tend to agree.
*sigh* You’ve outdone yourself….again.
Love it!! Would love to see the invite as well, if your friend is willing to share. Beautiful work, Amanda!!
Genevieve, it isactuallyon her blog. You can click the first birthday link at the very top of the post and you can see it. You can also see the little birdie!!
Why are you not mentioning your feature on Amy Atlas?? Nice work!
O goodness! I am so glad you took such wonderful photos of it! I was so busy with party stuff that I fell short in that department.
You are so talented Amanda. The cake was perfect! Thank you again!
Love this cake! Such a great idea to create the flags out of sugar cookies…should have guessed it, you are the sugar cookie queen afterall!
did you totally miss that you are featured on the amy atlas blog?!
sooo cute! those cookies looked so small and so much work! I love your design! btw, i admire how smooth your buttercream is and with such straight sharp edges!
AMANDA!
That is…honest to goodness…so ADORABLE!
Bless your pee-picking heart!
I KNOW there was ALOT more to those little flag triangles than “ice and let dry!”
OMGoodness!
So tedius!
Such detail!
And it’s THE DETAIL…that will make that cake so MEMORABLE!
Excellent!
I just ADORE seeing such SCRUMPTIOUS creations!
You are so talented!
Popped over from Bridget’s TWEET!!!! ;o)
xo
Love the colours! And I really love how you’ve incorporated cookies and cake together
Love the colors and the little cookie flags! Beautiful job! Gotta check out the Christmas in July stuff…:)
LOVE those little pendant cookies! You are amazing, my friend!
I bet she just LOVED that cake! The color is just amazing too!!! Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your talent and creativity is tantamount to your patience.
The flags are perfect ~ I can’t imagine icing each one like you did. The entire cake is perfect! I love that the top layer was made “special” for the birthday boy.
Thanks so much for sharing!
OMG those are SO CUTE…the little pennant cookies. You’re hired to make one for me next March 26. Mmmm kay?
Ha ha!
this is ADORABLE! my little man will be turning 1 in 3 months. the banana flavored cake gives me an idea of what i could do…
you have so much talent!!
Oh wow, the cookie details are amazing! Wonderful as always.
Wei-Wei
So pretty. I am curious what do you use to color your frosting? I normally use Wilton but it taste so Gross!! Any suggestions would be helpful!
really cute! You sure did help make this day special for them!
I’d give my left big toe if you could make my little girls’ first birthday cake. Too bad we live on the opposite side of the country. You are so amazingly talented Amanda!!!
You never cease to amaze me! And I LOVE putting iced sugar cookies on cakes!!
I just saw your no bake petit fours over at a southern fairy tale – too too too cute! This is gonna become a family favorite, I can tell! And I’ll be happy cuz I can dream up new ways to use this idea each year and keep my creativity going.
intricate yet still perfectly-done, as usual. bravo, amanda!
What an awesome cake, as always!
I left you some comment love over on southern fairy tale – AMAZING JOB!!
I love this comment: “I’d give my left big toe if you could make my little girls’ first birthday cake.”
Thank you for allowing me to keep all of my appendages.
This cake is absolutely stunning! Love all of the perfectly iced cookies.
*sigh* love. this. cake. Super cute!
That cake is adorable and what fun to take part in
Christmas in July!
I’m going to check out all the links right now!
Amanda, I love this cake. It is very original and unique, details and colors are great.
Have a great weekend.
breakfast truly is the best. It may be crazy, but as much as I adore all things bready and eggy, I also really love leftover pahd thai for breakfast!
How do you get your cake so smooth?? ANY TIPS?
Exemplary creative! That cake is adorable! Its simple and perfectly done.
Your cakes are fantastic!!
Can you tell me how does your ice look like glass? How do you do that?? Amazing!
Your talent for baking is off the charts!! I hope you keep posting such great recipes for the public to see.
Stuart
Hi there, Beautiful cake!!! It’s part of my inspiration for my daughters first birthday party. Did you use buttercream to ice the little bunting flags? I know you mentioned you used buttercream to attach them to the cake. Love this!! Can’t wait to try and make it:)).
{ Also, Just curious if you share what icing recipe you used for this cake..; }
hi, sorry to write again, just wanted to let you know, I did some more homework (looking at other recipes) and may have found my answers:). Thanks for a wonderful and helpful website.