To use a ready-to-mix cake pack for DS's birthday cake?

[SirBoobAlot]

DS's birthday tomorrow. Have got a house to tidy, a front room to empty, presents to wrap, food shopping to do... And of course the cake (dry run picture on profile if you're curious!).

All of my health conditions have flared up. I actually feel like crap and want to hide beneath my duvet dosed up to the eyeballs on codine.

WIBU to use a ready mix box instead of making the cake from scratch? I know they're not fab. Are they really full of shit?

If you're that ill, just buy a cake from the supermarket. I don't believe in killing myself for a children's birthday party.

And I don't believe in tidying before the party either - you'll have enough tidying to do afterwards!

Are you serious? Just buy a bloody cake, it won't kill the children!

I agree, buy one from the supermarket!

No, set on it being the Gruffalo! But if you all think that, I don't feel so bad about using a ready pack, thanks

yep i'd buy one as well, save yourself the hassle.

The kids wont care as long as they have cake!!!

Buy a cake. Save yourself some stress!

Is it a basic chocolate cake or chocolate sponge? I would make it from scratch , it is justa bit of measuring and then into the mixer. If you are not feeling up to it, make the ready mix. No idea if they are any good , may have eaten some without knowing. Kids will still love it with all the decoration on, Don't think anyone would notice th

well why dont you buy a plain sponge/chocolate cake and do the icing yourself.

I am seriously crap at baking cake, have done this many times and they not only look good/homemade. They taste much better as well.

The dry run looks fantastic! I think you can buy gruffalo cakes from asda? The kids won't mind at all if it's a mix, you're doing him a party & a cake. Lovely mum.

YANBU to do a mi or to just buy a ready made cake!

Oooh Spook I hadn't thought of that. That is a good idea!

No Gruffalo cakes in our local asda, I did try.

I would buy a plain round cake and decorate it Gruffalo style. Mixes don't really save any time.

What did you do with the first one btw?

Ate it

No, I took it in to playschool on Monday to get the lovely ladies through their first day back after the holidays.

Buy one! The children won't mind and it won't harm them one bit. Some of the bake mixes are very good taste wise. But just buy one and give yourself one less thing to do. Give yourself a break the party will be hard enough work without knackering yourself before hand.

They taste exactly the same as made from scratch bog standard sponge IMO.

The thing I hate about baking is the washing up so that isn't really helped by a ready mix. Bought cake iced is the way to go

I totally did myself in making a peppa pig cake for my dd's 2nd birthday. She barely glanced at! It took 7 hours It looked good, but it tasted pretty rank.

Betty Crocker Devils Food is a good chocolate cake which just needs 3eggs, oil and water adding. I make it all the time and use home made icing - delicious.

Buy it. I don't think the pack mix ones taste great and don't save time.

It doesn't really matter if its the Gruffalo as long as its something she likes, actually here you go http www.mysupermarket.co.uk/sainsburys-price-comparison/cakes/just_love_food_company_gruffalo_party_cake_14_servings.html Gruffalo cakes galore from all the supermarkets for £9 sorted

DH uses the betty crocker chocolate cake and chocolate frosting to make cakes for work. Always goes down well.

Sorry read that wrong - its just available in Sainsburys but still problem is sorted

If you can buy buffalo cake, just do that

Argh phone _ gruffal o
Won't let me type it. Honestly buy it

That's two votes for Betty Crocker, will bear that in mind, thank you.

I'm not just being lazy by the way - my numb sensation I get is terrible in my hands right now, I'm not sure I would actually manage making the cake!

Will check out Sainsburys just in case :)

Now a buffalo cake would be interesting...