GONE are the days when a chocolate cake with a few Smarties on top would suffice for a child's birthday party.
Today youngsters are being served all manner of sweet treats, from Harry Potters to soccer stadiums.
- The ABC Book of Children's Cakes, by Kathy Knudsen. HarperCollins, rrp $24.99
Any parent not brave enough to bake kooky, creative cakes without careful instruction, should turn to the ABC's latest offering.
And considering the national television broadcaster has been a staple of children's lives for generations, the creations are sure to be a guaranteed winner.
The cover of The ABC Book of Children's Cakes features Humpty Dumpty from Play School and inside are a host of other characters, including Jemima and Big Ted.
What toddler could resist B1 and B2 (Bananas in Pyjamas to the uniniated) or snub a Bob the Builder?
And then for the outdoor type, there is Shaun the Sheep.
There are nearly 20 different designs with detailed tips, templates and instructions, including basic butter, chocolate and cupcake recipes and different frostings.
Cakes are not for the faint-hearted. About eight steps are required to create each masterpiece, requiring a level of dexterity and creativity to ensure your final product matches the accompanying impressive picture.
"Remember to have fun," writes mother of three and author Kathy Knudsen.
"If you do make a mistake, make it part of the cake, add a flower, another spot, an extra stripe."
Or just explain that Big Ted had a bit of an accident.
