Another year, another birthday. 

Whether it’s time to celebrate your birthday, your child’s, a coworker’s, or a friend’s, perhaps it’s time to try something other than cake. Each of us participates in birthdays at least a dozen times a year and everyone has the same thing – cake. Add weddings to the list and the number goes up.

This year, why not try something new? Take a break from the cake and choose another option for your birthday treats. 

However, people generally like routine. Whatever you use instead of cake needs to be delicious and fun. Otherwise, your guests may end up missing the overly used cake.

Check out our top five choices!

Birthday Treats to Enjoy Instead of Traditional Cake

When creating birthday treats devoid of the traditional cake, you’ll need time to come up with a good plan. Make sure you jot the date to be down in your planner to keep you on task! You don’t want to disappoint anyone with a lack of creativity.

Don’t have one? Check out Adobe Spark’s planners for free! 

As we suggested above, in order to pull off breaking away from birthday cake, your birthday treats need to be creative and delicious. Even if you use every day treats, find a fun way to display them. 

Keep reading and we’ll give you a better idea of what we’re talking about!

1. Donut Platter

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like donuts. For your birthday treats this year, try a lovely display of donuts. There are multiple options for display here, but no matter what you do, make sure you have plenty of flavor varieties to satisfy everyone’s taste.

Here are some display ideas:

  • Multi-tiered platter (pyramid or circular)
  • Giant skewers
  • Giant Lollipops
  • Donut hole lollipops

2. Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Like donuts, most people can get behind ice cream. For your birthday treats, why not try a large variety ice cream sundae bar?

You’ll have to keep the ice cream cooled of course, but you can really wow people with a decadent display of all their favorite toppings. Once the ice cream comes out, make sure people have a few options other than vanilla. 

Here is a list of toppings to offer:

  • Chopped nuts
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Chocolate, strawberry, caramel, and butterscotch syrups
  • Whipped cream
  • Candy pieces 
  • Cookie/brownie pieces
  • Pretzels
  • Sprinkles
  • Graham cracker crumbs
  • Chopped fresh fruit
  • Shredded coconut

3. Mountain of Brownies

Another great idea for birthday treats to replace cake is a mountain of brownies on a giant platter. 

Like the donut option, make sure you provide a large variety of options for your guests here. Think outside the box, because frankly, plain brownies are kind of borning. 

Check out some of these ideas:

  • Roasted marshmallows
  • White chocolate and butterscotch chips
  • Caramel sauce and pretzels
  • Sprinkles and vanilla frosting
  • Fresh strawberries and chocolate or white chocolate sauce

4. Candybar Cake

Instead of cake, opt for candy bars for this year’s birthday treats. You can create a “cake” out of unwrapped candy bars. Take them (using gloves to avoid melted chocolate on your hands) and stack them in a way to form a cake. 

Alternatively, you can build a tower, a pyramid, the spelled-out name of the birthday star, etc. Additionally, depending on your display and how you want to present your candy bar conglomeration, you don’t need to unwrap them.

5. Giant Cookie Ice Cream Cake

Finally, you can look a favorite among ice cream treats for your birthday. We’re talking about the chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich. 

However, to make it extra special, go big. Make two giant chocolate chip (or any other kind) cookies. Once the cookies are done and cooled, take out a tub of ice cream and form the cookie sandwich middle. 

You’ll need to work fast to avoid a little meltdown, however!

Want More?

Now that you have an idea for your next birthday treats, start brainstorming! This is the time to let your creative side out and really wow your guests. 

Good luck and have fun!

And remember, for more tips and advice, check out the rest of our articles!