Cake is a term with a long history (the word is of Viking origin, from the Old Norse kaka) and denotes a baked flour confection sweetened with sugar or honey; it is mixed with eggs and often, but not invariably, with milk and fat. It has a porous texture from the mixture rising during cooking. Europe and places such as North America where European influence is strong have always been the center of cakes.
The value of  cakes is immense.  They are not only the source of great joy for kids but also for adults. They enliven the event and bring life to Birthday parties. Needless, therefore, to say that birthday parties without birthday cakes looses all their meaning.  The very mention of the word cake can instantaneously make your taste buds active. You will find cakes in all flavors and sizes to tantalize your taste budsanytime you desire.  Cakes can be used to brighten any occasion. It can be treated as a desert, a sweet dish for your loved ones or something to decorate your dining table.

Amidst this huge variety of cakes available in the market today, there are some categories of cakes  that are hugely popular

Five star Cakes. These cakes are made from the finest of ingredients and by the best chefs in the country. In consonance to the very name, these cakes are crafted specifically for both formal and informal occasions like Wedding Anniversaries, Promotions, Baby Showers, Coming home of a new member and company anniversaries or just about anything like celebrating the Birthday of your loved ones.  They are Made from 5 star Bakeries like Taj, Oberoi, Inter-continental, etc.

Kids Cake – These cakes are meant specially for your loving kids. Some feature decorative cartoon character on them. The Tweety cake, Farm house cake, Hary Porter cake, Smiley cakes are some of the most desired ones. The cakes are delicious in taste and are generally gifted on the Birthdays.

Number Cakes – This is special category of cake made in the shape of numbers. These cakes come in many Numbers, such as 1, 2, etc. They can be a good way to wish Anniversary and Birthdays of your loved ones.

Special Cakes- These cakes convey some special message. A heart shaped red cake for a lover, A specially baked valentines Day cake to celebrate  love and togetherness or it can be a large three tier cake for a farewell party or Boss’s Birthday. Special cakes are made to order and are really unique and beautiful.

With numerous celebrated cake makers taking pride in their culinary expertise, you can find yourself at the disposal of cakes in various flavours, shapes and designs, which can be further experimented with special messages.  They are available in Strawberry, Chocolate , Blackforest , Vanilla and many more alluring flavors.

Cakes are excellent as gifts. When decorated in the perfect manner and sent fresh, they can really win over anyone’s Heart. Today, with the advent of online gifting companies, delivering cakes to anywhere has been made easy. You can choose the best flavour, shape and size of the cake. The company takes all the responsibility of sending them to your loved ones, friends and family. So next time when you are pondering over the idea of a perfect gift, send a beautiful cake and win over anyone’s heart.

1. Character Cakes: If your little one is obsessed with a film, television, or cartoon character, or even a licensed doll or toy, a character cake is the no-fail way to go! Disney character cakes or Barbie cakes are always popular with the girls, and what little boy wouldn’t enjoy a Bob the Builder or Harry Potter or G.I. Joe cake? Fortunately, finding the perfect kids birthday cake mold is easy — you can obtain a specialized cake mold for the most popular licensed characters at your local upscale baking store or cake decorating supply shop. As if it couldn’t get any easier, many specialty children’s birthday cake molds come complete with frosting instructions.

2. Sports Cakes: Your active girl or boy will jump for a sports themed cake. Some easy sports birthday cake ideas are decorating round cakes to resemble baseballs, soccer balls, or basketballs. Sporty girls and boys will also love a cake that resembles their favorite sports field, which is easy to make with a rectangular sheet cake. You can even add a net, goal, or hoop, as well as plastic figurines resembling spectators and sports players!

3. Animal Cakes: The younger set will especially enjoy a cake decorated to resemble their favorite animal. Kittens, puppies, pandas, and teddy bears are classic favorites. An easy way to decorate an animal-themed children’s birthday cake is to use two round layers. Use the first round cake as the animal’s head, and cut the second round cake to make ears and other features.

4. Photo Cakes: Run out of birthday cake ideas? Making a cake with a translucent, sugar “photo” is easy, and enjoyable by birthday boys and girls of all ages. Just take a favorite photo to your local cake decorating store, and they can prepare an edible version of it for a few dollars. Follow the instructions provided, and you can add it to the top of a simple, iced cake. Voila! Instant birthday gratification!

5. Decorate-your-own Cake: Moms who hate decorating kids birthday cakes will love this suggestion — provide the basic ingredients (cupcakes, frosting, piping bags, spreading knives, small candies, etc.) and let the birthday boy or girl and his/her guests decorate their own cupcakes! Just lay down a plastic tablecloth and provide plastic aprons for each guest to minimize the mess!

For home use, one with a dome makes more sense. There are many choices and it’s good to review some of the options.

You have choices in design, materials, colors, reusability and of course price. Make your decision based on your budget and the cake intended to display. If you make a gorgeous cake, you want a stand that shows it off, but doesn’t upstage it.

Simple domed glass versions, suitable for everyday layer or Bundt or tube cakes, can be found in most kitchen departments in department and discount stores for $10 or even less on sale, although you can find much fancier and pricier ones. Their only drawbacks are shape and breakability.

Another type often seen in home use is the silver cake stand, and these are also often heirlooms passed down through families. But you will also see these used as an elegant perch for wedding cakes. Silver plate is really pretty affordable, with new smaller stands starting as low as $25-$30, but larger and fancier silver plate can range into several hundred dollars, and sterling well into the thousands.

Acrylic cake stands come in literally hundreds of configurations and sizes and are often used for formal displays in weddings. Perhaps most weddings now use acrylic since it is sturdy and stable and blends into almost any theme or colors. Usually clear, it can be found in some transparent colors as well. Sets of multi-tiered acrylic stands for wedding and fancy cakes can cost $100 to $200, but of course are reusable.

An option for a one-time use is the single use stand made of polypropylene instead, since these can start as low as $15. Acrylic and other plastic ones can also be purchased in kits that included bases and risers to create the a perfect display, and things like lace, tulle, toppers and other decorations for easy wedding decorations.

Pedestal versions can come as one piece solid stands, but component systems of cake platforms or board and risers and bases make more sense for frequent cake makers, because they are so versatile. Component parts can cost as little as $2-$3 and you buy only what you need and can expand easily by ordering more.

Where to buy? Of course, check garage and rummage sales for real steals, and ask relatives who may no longer bake if they have unused ones you can borrow, buy or just take over.cake

Generalized tastes of the anticipated guests should also be taken into consideration, although an exquisite cake can still be made to cater to a rather neutral palate.

A great place to find ideas and supplies for your wedding cake is at a large craft store. Most of these stores dedicate large areas of floor space to wedding themed products. Here you should be able to find wedding cake ideas galore! These stores generally offer a wide assortment of cake toppers, lace, ribbons and flowers. Some may even supply the cardboard circles for each layer of the cake to rest on, parchment paper, pastry bags and pillar supports if the layers are to be raised.

A restaurant supply store is another good source for these supplies and a good place to stock up on various sized cake pans and icing spatulas.

Spring wedding cake ideas are generally inspired by flowers and pastels colors. A light angel cake can be tiered into a low tower and layered in between with fresh berries. A fresh fruit preserve can act as the wedding cake icing and can be delicately strewn with edible flowers such as nasturtium, violet, jasmine and lilac.

Many brides are breaking from the traditional round-layered cakes and opting for a fresh and edgy square wedding cake. These cakes tier just as well as the traditional round cakes and can be offset to create a diamond design. The square cakes also are the perfect canvas for an intricate icing or fondant latticework.

A traditional tiered round cake can easily be taken from simple to elegant with the addition of some ribbon. Craft stores supply innumerable spools of finely detailed ribbon that can surely be matched to a bridal theme. Simply cut pieces of the ribbon to the circumference of the layers, carefully wrap and secure with a toothpick.

Use a little creativity and the possibilities are endless!