I was going to do a make-your-own strawberry shortcake dessert bar for Liddy's party, but flaked out and made my go to chocolate cake recipe instead, because we all love it so much. Here it is with a standard buttercream frosting (recipe from the side of the powdered sugar bag) tinted yellow and adorned with pretty flowers cut from—
Starbursts. This was a fun filled fruity smelling experience that the older girls adored. Tip—if you come up with the brilliant idea to soften the candy in the microwave, do it for only 5 seconds. Another tip, don't run cold water over the glass that got covered in melted Starbursts when you pressed it on top of a molten hot fruit chew. And a final word—don't tell you husband what any of the creepy cement-like brightly colored crud is on the glass when he does the dishes, just give him a blank stare.
Other than that, these really were fun to make. For reals. And the candle holder is from here, of course.
Beautiful! I've seen this done with gum drops, too- just keep coating both sides with sugar so it doesn't stick to the rolling pin. Love the colors! (Gosh, I've been reading your blog so long- don't know if I've ever commented! Hi! :o)
Posted by: Mary | June 25, 2008 at 07:25 PM
WOW! Ingenious really, starburst. That is way cool. Love this post. Oh and your wooden candle holders remind me of my collection, rather my Mom's collection of them. I found more on ebay once... she'll love it wen she's ours age. :) HB.
Posted by: Kim | June 25, 2008 at 07:26 PM
that cake is absolutely beautiful! and such a funny post! for reals.
Posted by: amy | June 25, 2008 at 07:28 PM
my mouth is watering just thinking about starbursts... what a wonderful and colorful idea!
Posted by: vanna | June 25, 2008 at 07:45 PM
so cute!
you might like these, not to start another obsession or anything:
http://cgi.ebay.com/11-Vintage-WOOD-PEOPLE-BIRTHDAY-CAKE-CANDLE-HOLDERS_W0QQitemZ180254040423QQihZ008QQcategoryZ3207QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Posted by: Bindi | June 25, 2008 at 08:03 PM
You had me at Starbursts and "for reals".
Posted by: highoncraft | June 25, 2008 at 08:05 PM
cute cake.
starburst. Never would have thought of that.
Posted by: lavon | June 25, 2008 at 08:06 PM
What a cool cake! I love it.
Posted by: Angel Funk | June 25, 2008 at 08:13 PM
What a fun cake..just as it should be for a kid's birthday. Oh, and thanks for the tips:)
Posted by: Sam | June 25, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Hey there, I checked out the chocolate cake recipe and wondering what to do with the boiling water--mix in with the wet ingredients or is it for a pan separately to maek steam in the oven??
LOVE the starburst idea and the lovely yellow shade of frosting--your girls must adore you!
Posted by: Traci | June 25, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Mmmm... Starburst. I can smell them now! Great idea!
Posted by: Nichole | June 25, 2008 at 09:02 PM
This is such a wonderful idea, never - ever thought of making decorations our of squashed starbust - very very effective!!!
Posted by: Mandi | June 25, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Seriously, seriously brilliant. I've got a bucket full of Starburst, and a little girl's 6th birthday party coming up on Sunday. I was going to do Wilton sprinkles, but this - this has a much higher "cool, Mom, you're the best!" factor. Thanks!
Posted by: Michelle | June 25, 2008 at 09:28 PM
What a great idea with the starbursts. You are a genius! Seriously, I can't wait to try that one...so super cute!
Posted by: Adventures in Mommyland | June 25, 2008 at 09:31 PM
What a great idea with the starbursts. You are a genius! Seriously, I can't wait to try that one...so super cute!
Posted by: Adventures in Mommyland | June 25, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Wow! What a great idea!! That cake is beautiful. I'm loving it.
Posted by: Virginia | June 25, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Yep I'm gonna be using this one someday, probably for my own cake in another month. Thanks!
Posted by: tia | June 25, 2008 at 10:32 PM
I slogged away last year and made a cake similiar to yours, but used rolled fondant for the flowers and heard lots of "really pretty but it tasted terrible Mom" comments. I'll be sure and try your idea next birthday! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kelly | June 25, 2008 at 11:00 PM
you crack me up! who would of thought of melting star burst and cutting them to shape for a cake. great idea. i will have to remember the safety tips thou. check my blog for scarry experience on way to my dye studio this evening....creepy
Posted by: susan | June 25, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Sure sounds like my house...husband: "honey, what's this pink stuff?"
...silence...
sounds like we're peas in a pod!
Posted by: blabby | June 26, 2008 at 12:22 AM
what a lovely idea!
Posted by: kristin | June 26, 2008 at 12:46 AM
neat idea. lol about your hubby. I do that with mine all the time (ie like the caramel incident during last halloween.)lol
Posted by: Gina | June 26, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Lovely, cake. I thought the flowers were some type of fondant - but this is better. Now if only I could find a little rocket ship cookie cutter for my son's upcoming birthday. Wonderful tips especially about the blank stare. I must remember this.
Posted by: Anna | June 26, 2008 at 04:47 AM
How fun is that! Great idea.
Posted by: Sara | June 26, 2008 at 04:47 AM
LOL - thanks for the tips! And the cake - WOW! I am sooo saving this link for my daughters' birthdays. Or perhaps just one of them... The cake is gorgeous, and I really want to do something different - wonderful idea! :)
Posted by: Astrid | June 26, 2008 at 04:52 AM
What a beautiful cake! Starbursts...I would have never guessed.
Posted by: tricia | June 26, 2008 at 04:55 AM
That is adorable - but makes me NOT want to eat Starburst anymore :-)
Posted by: Nicole | June 26, 2008 at 04:58 AM
I just showed these photos to my 6-year-old daughter, who said, "Cool. We should do that for [Baby's] first birthday cake." Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Nowheymama | June 26, 2008 at 05:08 AM
i heart pete. happy birthday liddy!!
Posted by: hannah | June 26, 2008 at 05:11 AM
that cake is adorable amy! you are so creative and inspiring. thanks for posting!
Posted by: Jessica | June 26, 2008 at 05:12 AM
I think we might have someone who shares a birthday around here with Liddy! And I'm totally stealing your Starburst idea for next year! I coulda used it last year for the polka dot cake!!!! Thanks for fabulous things!
Posted by: greenchickadee | June 26, 2008 at 05:26 AM
Great idea! I saw the picture and thought it was real fondant. Beautiful cake.
Posted by: Mandi | June 26, 2008 at 05:41 AM
This is incredibly wonderful and so cheerful! I've smooshed starburst before but it never occurred to me to use it as a cake decoration. My kids would love it. I'm going to start looking at starburst in a new light!
Come for a visit - I'm having 2 giveaways that are rather celebratory. And next month, I'll have 4 Dress-Up Giveaways.
Posted by: Ellen | June 26, 2008 at 06:03 AM
"powered sugar" - definitely the best typo I've seen today!
Posted by: sherrieg | June 26, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Love the little shape cutters you used!
Posted by: Sparklygreenknickers | June 26, 2008 at 06:11 AM
As everyone has already said, the starbursts are so cute, and very clever!
Posted by: Jacey | June 26, 2008 at 06:13 AM
What a great idea! and the cake looks fabulous...
Posted by: dot | June 26, 2008 at 06:25 AM
darling! and a belated happy birthday to your girl. :)
Posted by: stephanie | June 26, 2008 at 06:29 AM
my husband just bought a bag of starbursts and i was wondering what i was going to do with all of them b/c i didn't want to keep it forever, like the ones we have from easter!! this cake is so so pretty. i think my daughter might enjoy something like this for her 5th! darling.
Posted by: esther | June 26, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Great idea and beautiful cake. Starbursts? Who'd a thunk It?
Happy Birthday to your girl!
Posted by: Alexis | June 26, 2008 at 07:03 AM
thanks you all!
sharrieg-
ha!!! no doubt!!
powered sugar!
Posted by: amy k. | June 26, 2008 at 07:09 AM
Thanks for the Starburst idea. I love it. And, who doesn't like chocolate cake.
I just got that very candle celebration kid in the mail. I am looking forward to using it on my daughter's 1st birthday cake.
x
Posted by: Nancy Cook | June 26, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Aaawww, that's such a amazing birthday cake!
Posted by: Suse / RevoluzZza | June 26, 2008 at 07:28 AM
Brillant! I would have never thought to do this with starburst...full of such creative ideas...that's why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog!
Posted by: Michele | June 26, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Starbursts! What a great idea!
Your cake is darling!
Becky
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | June 26, 2008 at 07:50 AM
What a brilliant idea to make flowers from Starbusts.
Posted by: Ahfat | June 26, 2008 at 08:21 AM
CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!
Posted by: lisa lynch | June 26, 2008 at 08:26 AM
i love the starburst idea! and good advice about the husband/dishes.
Posted by: julia | June 26, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Repeating the words of the other 100 commenter's..GENIUS...Starburst...who knew they could satisfy in some many ways? i love it and I think my daughter may find one on a cake in the future. Note to self about the microwaving time...I have a tendency to "over heat" myself and no patience to wait for things to cool down. Bad combo!
Posted by: Filtering Life | June 26, 2008 at 08:42 AM
I completely LOVE it! I am going to have to steal this idea for my daughter's birthday, methinks.
Posted by: Dayna | June 26, 2008 at 08:49 AM
The starburst idea is great. My kids don't like fondant. I do not blame them because I do not either. Yet my four year old insists on having a cake with a fondant look. This has made my life easier. Thank you!
Posted by: Alicia | June 26, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Great idea the starbursts, I must try this
Posted by: Thimbleina | June 26, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Starbursts! Love it! What a great idea.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Starbursts! Love it! What a great idea.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Starbursts! Love it! What a great idea.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Starbursts! Love it! What a great idea.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | June 26, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Love the cake...too cute! And I am still laughing over your tips, esp. the one about hubby and the dishes...oops! :p
Posted by: Cocoa | June 26, 2008 at 10:41 AM
great cake, great idea for the flowers!!!!
Posted by: val | June 26, 2008 at 11:12 AM
great cake, great idea for the flowers!!!!
Posted by: val | June 26, 2008 at 11:12 AM
very sweet cake
Posted by: lissilulu | June 26, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Great idea!
Posted by: Nevis | June 26, 2008 at 12:17 PM
How did you get your frosting so smooth?! I thought it was fondant.
Posted by: dolores | June 26, 2008 at 01:18 PM
What a cute cake! i like the idea of using Starburst candies.
Posted by: MichelleMG | June 26, 2008 at 02:01 PM
What a cute cake! i like the idea of using Starburst candies.
Posted by: MichelleMG | June 26, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Starbursts?? Man. You are freakin' awesome. AWESOME!
xox
Posted by: Rebecca F. | June 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Fantastic! The cake is so cute! What a great idea to use starbursts. :o)
Posted by: Julia | June 26, 2008 at 03:02 PM
yum! starburst are the best, my boys would love this. thanks!
Posted by: mollie | June 26, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Oh..what an adorable cake. You are just so creative.
Posted by: Angie | June 26, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Gorgeous! I was sure it was fondant until you spilled the secret. I'll probably stick to fondant, though. Since I do the dishes. ;)
Posted by: miriam | June 26, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Amazing, the starburst look just like fondant.
Posted by: Gina | June 26, 2008 at 04:57 PM
Amazing, the starburst look just like fondant.
Posted by: Gina | June 26, 2008 at 04:57 PM
I love these pictures. I'm going to make the strawberry/rhubarb muffins tonight! I just picked pounds of it and wondered what to do besides can stewed rhubarb.
ahhh... muffins... yum.
Posted by: Mary- The Yellow Door Paperie | June 26, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Wrong blog! Silly me!
But I am going to try your cake idea. I love starbursts! My roommate in college and I ate a whole pound of it after a particularly bad week! Glad to know there is a super cute use for it!
Posted by: Mary- The Yellow Door Paperie | June 26, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Happy Birthday for Liddie. I loved the Starburt idea too - excellent improvisation!
Dy
Posted by: Dyan | June 26, 2008 at 07:25 PM
That is a completely adorable cake... Now you have me thinking off all the possible cupcakes that could be made with starburst...However, I am the dishwasher...I will have to convince a child it is their turn when I make them :)~
Posted by: Shelly G. | June 26, 2008 at 07:36 PM
OMG, the Starburst shapes are great! When I first saw the picture, I thought they were fondant, but they're way cooler!
Speaking of cut shapes, I just saw this pic over on flickr and I think you'll love it. It's cut paper. Very wee cut paper.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8682935@N05/2056678729/
Posted by: mikawendy | June 26, 2008 at 08:13 PM
What a very cute cake. My own little person birthday baking experiment was not so successful this year so seeing this gives me hope for the future...
Posted by: Annie | June 26, 2008 at 08:16 PM
That cake is adorable!
Posted by: Danielle | June 26, 2008 at 08:30 PM
the Starburst flowers are just perfect. Just so I don't have to eat them. ;)
Posted by: Toby | June 26, 2008 at 08:44 PM
This was my first time visiting your blog and I'm so glad I did! I can't wait to try the starburst cake decorations! That is great, my daughters will love it (if they don't eat all of the starbursts first) I think we will make cup cakes tomorrow. I will definately visit again.
Posted by: Cassie Shella | June 26, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Very cute idea with the starburst!
We're having a little b-day party over here this weekend...have any ideas for kids that come to the party...something to take home with them?
Posted by: Ansley | June 26, 2008 at 09:32 PM
This is beautiful, I am also going to attempt to recreate this for my daughters birthday.
Posted by: Sher | June 27, 2008 at 04:36 AM
WHAT?! Seriously..your husband do the dishes...HOLD TO IT!hahah
Happy bday party!
Posted by: Anary | June 27, 2008 at 04:41 AM
It's adorable! I'm going to put a link to your cake on my blog. I love how you used Starbursts to make the flowers. Tasty and easy!
http://critterandcricketcakes.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Sue | June 27, 2008 at 06:39 AM
starbursts--coolest stinkin' idea ever!
Posted by: Sarah M | June 27, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Lovely post. Is that a pink high chair I see in the corner? Where ever did you find that? It's wonderful!
Posted by: eesh | June 27, 2008 at 11:45 AM
What a cute idea- my daughter and I are running to the grocery store to try this right now!
Posted by: Tracey | June 27, 2008 at 11:57 AM
clever starburst idea!
Posted by: jessica | June 27, 2008 at 02:42 PM
eesh!
the metal highchair came from land of nod-we love it!!
Posted by: amy k. | June 27, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Wow! I never thought of using Starbursts. What a great idea!! I can't wait to try. You can actlly soften Starbursts up really well by chewing them around in your mouth a little first...Just kidding!!!
Love your blog!
Posted by: Sue | June 27, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I love this idea with the starbursts!!
Posted by: Jen | June 28, 2008 at 06:52 PM
i am so glad i had a pack of star bursts (or opal fruit as my husband insists on calling them) in the drawer, because as soon as i read your post i so wanted some!! all but the purple ones...
Posted by: Péitseoga | June 29, 2008 at 02:33 PM
FANTASTIC idea. Love it. I'll be hanging onto this blogpost for a little while so I can do something like this for the twins birthday.
Posted by: Tonya | June 29, 2008 at 05:59 PM
What an amazing idea... thanks so much... love the cake too!
Posted by: Paisley Jade | June 30, 2008 at 01:15 AM
OMG! I was just looking at that cake and thinking how elegant (and simple) it looked to make and that perhaps I, a complete cake decorating novice, could give it a try. Then I was thinking those shapes are gonna be made out of something expensive from a cake shop, but starbusts, how ingenious!
Posted by: Hayley | July 03, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I have a feeling you give your husband a lot of blank stares...
Lovely cake! Looks delish, and it's a fantastic idea using the starbursts!
Posted by: Cindibee | July 03, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Nice tip with the starbursts. Looking forward to trying it out. I think there are still a few lurking in the bag from last weekend's pinata...
Posted by: Riley | July 04, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Wow - that is an incredible idea!! I wonder how starbursts (opal fruits if you don't mind!!) tastes along with chocolate cake though!!
Definitely one to try for the next birthday cake!!
Posted by: Sam | July 04, 2008 at 02:13 AM
starbursts! that is smart!
Posted by: Amy | July 05, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Good Idea!
Hi I’m as you. Does it vary things at the same time?
Posted by: Dani | July 05, 2008 at 02:50 PM