Ever since Jenson’s Raa Raa The Noisy Lion Party ended last year, he knew immediately what kind of party he wanted when he turned 3……… a MONKEY party of course!!! This was quite an easy theme to put into place and I went with a brown and yellow colours for the tableware and balloons and kept the food easy to prepare so I would not have to spend too long in the kitchen, and to be fair it was the first party I have made for the boys where I was finished about an hour and a half before the guests were due to arrive!! Yaaaay π
I made two cakes as we had two parties and the main and better cake was the Monkey Cake I made for the first party on Saturday, which again I kept fairly simple a 3 layered chocolate cake with a yellow sponge in the middle of two chocolate ones (in keeping with the yellow and brown colour theme!
- *For the chocolate sponges*
- 200g unsalted butter
- 200g caster sugar
- 150g self raising flour
- 50g cocoa powder
- 4 eggs
- *For the yellow sponge*
- 100g unsalted butter
- 100g caster sugar
- 100g self raising flour
- 1 tube of Dr Oetaker yellow food colouring
- 2 eggs
- *For the buttercream*
- 1 tub of Betty Crocker chocolate buttercream
- 100g full fat cream cheese
- *For the decoration*
- brown ready to roll icing - I used Renshaws teddy bear brown
- 2 mini meringues
- 2 large chocolate buttons
- 1 chocolate brown (writing) icing in a tube
- foam banana sweets
- Grease and line 3 x 8 inch cake tins
- Pre heat the oven to 180oC / 160oC (fan)
- I made the chocolate sponges first and then the yellow coloured one - all same method as follows:
- cream the butter and sugar together until soft and creamy
- add the eggs and a spoonful of flour and beat again for a couple of minutes
- For the chocolate sponges - add the flour and cocoa powder and fold in until combined and then divide the batter between 2 cake tins
- For the yellow sponge - fold in the flour and the yellow food colouring and pour into 1 of the tins
- Place into the oven and cook for 20 - 25 minutes until cooked all the way thorugh
- Once cooked allow to cool and then remove from the tins and place on wire racks
- Make the buttercream by mixing the ready made buttercream with the cream cheese
- Once the sponges are completely cooled, sandwich them together with the buttercream and then cover all of the cake with the buttercream, and smooth over with a palette knife
- I drew a template of a monkey face onto a piece of paper and then cut this out, so that when I rolled out the brown icing I could cut out the monkey face to fit the cake
- Once cut out, drape over the top of the cake as per my photo
- Then stick the meringues on using some of the buttercream and add the chocolate buttons as per my photo. Draw on a smile using the chocolate icing in a tube
- Then cut out two small semi circles for the ears
- Then I stuck some foam banana sweets around the back for decoration.
- Monkey cake - done!
As I mentioned above I tried to make my life – and stress levels – Β easier by making the party food themed but not over complicated so I didnt spend too long in the kitchen as i do norally. Especially with having 2 cakes to make. I think there was a good mix of healthy choices and typical party food which I always try to offer the children. You can click on the photos below to see what each food item is, if it isn’t obvious enough already!
The second cake I made was exactly the same as the first with the three sponges, 2 chocolate and 1 yellow and again I covered and sandwiched it together with the chocolate buttercream. For the decoration, I made some white and milk chocolate monkeys from a mould I had bought a few months ago (I made extras for the pass the parcel layer prizes), and simply covered the cake in these along with some of the foam banana sweets.
Now I wonder what Jenson will want for his party next year?
emsyjo
‘monkey poo’ love it!!
Sorry – a fab post and great party food but it shows you I’ve spent too long with boys when that’s the bit that stands out lol
stellabranch
I love a themed party! It’s great to incorporate their favourite things. I still do them now if I can
Lauren
You have such a good imagination when it comes to party food and sticking to a theme. The monkey poo made me laugh xx
HELEN
the cakes & party food look great jenny – monkey nuts & poo *snigger*
x
Jenny Paulin
*sniggers back*
thank you x
Mummy Says
That cake looks amazing – I don’t think I’d ever be brave enough to try it though! x
Jenny
Your monkey cake is fantastic. So talented and creative. I wish I could make things like this. Looks yummy too. Love all the birthday pictures and celebrations. Looks like a lot of fun was had by all. #tastytuesday
Erica Price
Love your monkey cake. Liking the monkey poo idea.
sarahhillwheeler
Amazing cake, and spread. Impressed….afraid I succomb to buying in for parties mostly! Lovely to make them so personal though, and bet this one will be a fantastic memory! #TastyTuesdays
Sara (@mumturnedmom)
I love the monkey cake π I do think that a theme makes things easier, especially when it allows you to pick a few colours and work with them. Your baking is always so creative! #TastyTuesdays
Julie
Brilliant cakes and monkey themed party, I’m sure everyone had a great time.
@katgrant30
Looks fab! I did a tiger head cake for my boy’s first birthday party, which was similar in some ways! The party looks like it was a great success! #TastyTuesdays
Andrea (@loveandcakeblog)
Lucky boy getting 2 cakes! They look fab, along with the party food!
Honest Mum
Wow that’s incredible-what a party! You are clever! Please do add my badge or link back. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Notmyyearoff
You should be a kids party planner Jenny. Your stuff is always fantastic and I bet the orders would come rolling in thick and fast!! You need a Pinterest button too! π
mummymakescakes
I love the monkey cakes, both of them π Thanks so much for linking up to Celebration Cakes And Bakes (as always) and sorry for the very late response xx
Ideas for Wow Factor Cakes & Cupcakes - mummy mishaps
[…] Monkey Birthday Cake – chocolate sponge topped with a fondant icing money face, mini meringue and chocolate buttons for the eyes, nose and ears and some foam bananas for fun. […]