Animal Birthday Cakes and Cupcakes for Kids

Go a little wild! Throw an animal-theme birthday party for your child. These birthday cakes and cupcakes are designed to please animal lovers with dogs, cats, an elephant, an octopus, monkeys, bears, and a menagerie of kids' favorites. Start with a purchased cake or cupcake, or use our recipes to bake one from scratch.

Pink Poodle Cupcakes

A sweet pink puppy will be a charming birthday treat. It's surprisingly easy to create with frosting, chewy candies, marshmallows, and a few decorating details.

1. Using a pastry bag fitted with a small star tip, pipe pink decorating frosting in spikes onto a cupcake. Slice a large marshmallow crosswise into four pieces; place two pieces side by side on the center of the cupcake, pushing gently into frosting; use a dot of frosting to attach a tiny pink marshmallow for a nose.

2. Place a pink chewy fruit-flavor square candy on waxed paper. Microwave on 100 percent power for 5 to 10 seconds or until softened. Cut candy in half and shape each piece into a long oval ear. When firm, attach ears to cupcake.

3. Cut a white tiny marshmallow crosswise in half and press into cupcake for eyes. Top each eye with a miniature chocolate piece; attach with white frosting. Add a heart-shape candy for a mouth, and sprinkle the large marshmallow pieces with pink decorating sugar.