How to make a Firetruck Cake

Firetrucks, dump trucks, cement trucks, and all other trucks are major themes in my son's little life.  He turned two in May, and I knew a firetruck birthday cake would be perfect.  I had a ton of fun making it, and thought I'd share an easy how-to for anyone else with little boys in their lives!

First, make three cakes (each in a pan about 8" x 10").  Leave Cake #1 its original size, cut about 2 inches off of Cake #2, and cut Cake #3 in half.  Cover two pieces of cardboard in aluminum foil--one piece the same size as Cake #1, and one piece big enough to hold the whole cake.  Then, assemble the cake as shown in the picture below (click on the picture to be able to read the text):

Use frosting as glue and cover the whole cake in a "primer" layer.  Place the whole thing in the fridge for at least 20-30 minutes, or until the white frosting doesn't smear if you touch it lightly.  Then cover the truck body with a layer of red** frosting.  Draw the wheels on Oreo cookies and glue those to the cake with more frosting.  Return the cake to the refrigerator so the frosting can harden again.

**To make a brighter red with less food coloring, you can stir a package of Kool-aid powder into your frosting.  Just beware that your frosting will have a Fruit Punch or Cherry (or whatever red flavor you use!) flavor too!

Use white frosting and a cake decorator tip (or just a baggie with the corner cut off!) to draw the windows, grill, buttons, door, side ladder, ropes, and front lights.  Outline hinge and the bottom of the fire truck in grey.  Use candies for the lights!

Make a ladder for the top from cut popsickle sticks (or buy a fancy ladder from a cake decorating store), and write your Happy Birthday sign!  Ta da!  Store the cake overnight in the refrigerator.

My two-year old was very happy about his cake--he still sees pictures of it and starts talking, "Truck! Cake!  Truck!  Cake!"  I think we might be visiting a fire station soon, lol!  Do you have any little boys obsessed with trucks?  I'd love to know!



I may share at any of these parties!