So, last month I said I might share birthday cakes ideas, soooo here they are!
When you’re planning a party for multiple people, it would be great if everything could be made from scratch and be perfect, BUT this is the real world and I’m sorry, but I just don’t have that much time! Not to mention, I don’t think I could make a cheesecake even if I tried!
My little niece is not a fan of the traditional cake, but she LOVES cheesecake, so every year I have to figure out a way to dress one up for her! (They each get spoiled with their favorites)
The easiest way is to grab Costco’s cheesecake. It’s by far the best I’ve found that is store bought! Her vintage theme left me feeling a bit idealess, so I did what I love to do and looked to scrapbooking! I used fabric flowers, paper butterflies with stick pins and pearl candies! It’s amazing how easy it came together and everyone loved it!! I guess I’ll be scrapbooking next year as well!
Now my little peanut had an AWESOME One Direction party, if I do say so myself, but for some reason she wanted a beach themed cake for the family party! Hmmm, o.k! The ideas for this cake came fairly easy. We’ve done things in the past with “sand” and graham crackers do the trick! Plus, since scrapbooking worked on the cheesecake…why stop there??!!
I used a cupcake liner and cake pop stick for the umbrella, fabric for the towels, scrapbook embellishments for the glasses and seashells ‘n sunscreen! Of course, what’s the beach without flip flops, so I cut a little paper and used twine for the top! It didn’t take long and was pretty cute! Oh!…and one great things, I found the blue frosting and didn’t have to color it myself! SCORE!
Whew, one last cake! I’d like to say I slaved all day over these like I usually do, but this year was simple! Especially this one!
My nephew’s not a big fan of any cake or cheesecake, but his favorite things are Twix and ice cream sandwiches. Last year I did a skateboard ramp out of Twix bars, that left this year with sandwiches! Not a vision came to mind! Although I winged this, it was a hit and brought a smile to my nephew’s face, so I consider it a win!
I took a box of vanilla ice cream and opened the entire box. I used a big knife and cut it into squares. That’s what I used between the sandwiches to “glue” it together! Now, his cake couldn’t be the only one not scrapped, so that led to the banner letters! I added the happy birthday candles because this bad boy needed color!!
Well, there ya have it! I call these my semi-homemade desserts. If you have any upcoming functions, I hope you can use these ideas or at least get you started!
Enjoy!
Kristy – a cheesecake is THE EASIEST, hands down, of ALL baked goods! No contest. You spent FAR more time driving to buy the cheesecake, not to mention decorating it (adorably), than it would take you to put it in the oven (7 min., tops). You just whirr the ingredients together, pour in a pan, & bake! It’s magic, yet everyone else have bought into the myrh that a cheesecake is tough to make, so they will think you slaved.
Here’s my all-time favorite recipe; it is FAB. Because of the cottage cheese in it, it has a more silken texture than other cheesecakes, & that texture makes it divine. Angels will sing. (heehee)
NO-CRUST CHEESECAKE (WOW!)
-2 tbs. graham cracker crumbs
-16 oz. cream-style cottage cheese (large-curd will work in a pinch)
-16 oz. cream cheese, softened/at room temp.
-1.75 cups sugar
-4 eggs, lightly beaten
-16-oz. sour cream
-1/2 cup melted butter
-1/3 cup cornstarch
-1/4 tsp. salt
-2 tbs. lemon juice
-1 tsp. vanilla
W/small amount of butter, grease 9″ springform pan & then dust generously w/graham cracker crumbs. Knock out any that have not adhered to the wall of the pan.
In a blender, blend cottage cheese until smooth (will be very fluffy!), combine w/cream cheese, & beat on high w/mixer until smooth. Add eggs & beat well. Add remaining ingredients; beat on low until smooth. Pour into pan & bake at 375F for exactly 1 hr. 10 min. (DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR!) Turn off oven (DO NOT OPEN OVEN DOOR!) & let stand in oven 2 hrs. (NOW you can open that oven door!). Cool completely on cooling rack out on your counter, & then cover & refrigerate for at least 4 hrs.
This is from an old Jr. League cookbook, “Good Cookin’ From the Heart of Virginia”. One of my dogs, as a puppy, ate the page out of it that had this cheesecake recipe on one side & my favorite-ever sour cream pound cake recipe on the flip side (must’ve had good drips on it!
I don’t know why it would only let me post the first small bit in the “original” comment, but then a much longer part in the reply! Anyway, that’s why my post is divided in two.
Oops! There was still a part it missed! Here it is!
& I was DEVASTATED! The ONE page I used in the whole book! 7 yrs. later, I finally found another copy of the book – and having those two recipes back – that ONE page – was every bit worth the &35 cost of the replacement cookbook…
THAT’S how easy & good it is.
Try it! I PROMISE you’ll be shocked at how little time it actually takes. But you will still get the credit for “Oooh! You made a CHEESEcake??”
Best to you – Minta
Love them all! Great idea with the ice cream sandwiches.