Pirate Ship Birthday Cake

  

So this weekend was my sons birthday.  Eight years old if you haven't read from the post prior to this.  He requested a BBQ dinner.  I figured what better theme to go with that then a Pirate Ship birthday cake! You can use just about any cake recipe for this.  It's really all about the decorating!  I used a chocolate cake recipe I found on the cake flour box.  I did the carvings and decor with my own creative mind.  At the end of this post there is a picture of the cake all lit up!  Make sure you keep reading!



Chocolate Cake:
Softasilk Deluxe Devil's food cake;
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups Softasilk Enriched and Bleached Cake Flour
1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder (which is what I used)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cup buttermilk


Heat oven to 350
Coat a large rectangular baking dish generously with baking spray.
Beat sugar, butter, vanilla and almond extract in large bowl w/electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time.  Mix cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; beat into creamed mixture alternately w/buttermilk on medium speed.  Beat one minute longer.  Pour into prepared pans.  Bake 26 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  cool 15 minutes, remove from pan and let finish cooling on wire rack.


When your cake is completely cooled cut directly down the center making two perfect squares.  Lay one on top of the other.  Cut the edges off two of the sides making one side resembling the front of a ship.  Similar to the tip of a triangle but more rounded.  Frost the center of the cake with chocolate frosting.  Lay the other cake back on top.  Cut at the top center of the cake and carve out a mini square. (check picture for detail)  There are more pictures in my photo's albums.  More angle shots.  Next frost the entire cake. Be creative when you decorate.  I used vanilla frosting in a spray can for the rails at the top of the cake.  I used a fork to make that wooden look all along the sides and top of the ship. I used wheel pasta for the windows.  M and M's as little decor.  Life savers and candles as the cannons on either side.  Kebob skewers to hold the "paper sails" that read Happy Birthday Aiden. Use whatever you have!


Now for the grand finale.  All lit up!!
And finally my big birthday boy blowing out his candles.  Happy 8th Birthday Aiden.  Mommy loves you!!