Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this cake embarrassing?

458 replies

Juststickitonthetopandcallitaday · 23/06/2026 14:29

This

Would you be embarrassed to serve it at a party?

Is this cake embarrassing?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Yellow544 · 24/06/2026 22:08

ThisMellowCat · 24/06/2026 21:36

Have you asked your daughter what she thinks?
here’s some ideas to make it better.
✅ Smooth & tidy frosting gently

• Warm your metal spatula/knife under hot water, wipe dry, then lightly glide over ridges and messy spots — melt the chocolate frosting just enough to blend uneven texture without ruining flowers or toppers. Do sides first, then the top.

✅ Fix wobbly/leaning toppers

• Tuck a tiny pea‑sized dot of extra frosting/royal icing behind each capybara figure, candle ring, and the card sign to lock them upright and level; no need to lift them fully.

✅ Elevate the flowers

• Add 1 tiny dot of edible pearl/white sugar pearl, gold lustre dust, or contrasting sprinkle right on each flower centre — instantly looks polished. Lightly brush petal edges with a dry clean brush to wipe stray frosting smudges.

✅ Clean the base edge

• Run a toothpick wrapped in a tiny bit of kitchen paper along where cake meets plate to wipe smears; keep the bottom neat.

Why bother with the AI message? The OP asked for peoples opinions not an what Chatgpt thinks!

WhatcakeshalIbaketoday · 24/06/2026 22:12

omghereistrouble · 23/06/2026 14:42

my birthday in a few weeks and i would love this

Hint hint…..🤪

Plmnki · 24/06/2026 22:12

AdjectiveColourNoun · 23/06/2026 14:31

Of course not, it looks great and appropriate for an 8yo. Although maybe a bit small depending how many you are serving to. Is it so small you couldn’t fit an 80 on it, in which case it might be a bit babyish.

Thank goodness this isn’t intended for an 80 yr old birthday party then - eh? Anything else totally pointless you’d like to add?

FFSItsTooHot · 24/06/2026 22:34

Looks fine to me! What's embarrassing about it?

MoonWoman69 · 24/06/2026 22:38

It's ok for home made. Professionally made, then yes, embarrassing!

Mumtobabyhavoc · 24/06/2026 22:46

Yellow544 · 24/06/2026 22:06

Such an unnecessary unpleasant comment. I think the cake looks great and clearly so do the majority of other commenters.

Some people think a critique is requested... 🙄

Goldensilver81 · 24/06/2026 22:46

The cake looks delicious. But, presentation could be better. I hope you didn’t pay for that. A M&S cake would’ve have been better

Namechange902 · 24/06/2026 22:47

I would be more embarrassed at the massive quantity I would probably eat and how much I would get on my face.

Namechange902 · 24/06/2026 22:53

Just thinking with the heat, is it secure? You don’t want a layer sliding off if it starts melting when in display, if you haven’t already could you get some skewers to put through and hide them with the frosting?

Catpuss66 · 24/06/2026 22:54

My mom made one cake for me when I was 9 it was wonky it was a pink windmill. I never got to taste it but never forgot the effort she put in I licked the bowl. Sure your daughter will love it.

Rottweilermummy · 24/06/2026 22:55

If i had made it myself, I would be quite pleased with it. If i had paid to have a professional make it, then I wouldn't be so pleased , but would still serve it if too late to do anything about it.

GeoffTrotsky · 24/06/2026 23:08

It looks great- if someone is embarassed by it and they made it they should be encouraged and their opinion of their own work boosted. If the didn't make it and are saying they are embarassed about it, they have a spiteful and unpleasant attitude and need to be either challenged firmly or competely ignored and isolated

Ladamesansmerci · 24/06/2026 23:20

I hate the trend for professional cakes, especially for children's parties! It looks cute, OP, and most importantly, made with love. One of my fondest birthday memories is my mum's chocolate orange cake every year.

Anewappa · 25/06/2026 06:00

Must have a big fridge to store that in.

the party isn’t until the weekend presumably @Juststickitonthetopandcallitaday ? Won’t it go a bit… stale by then?

Anewappa · 25/06/2026 06:10

Ladamesansmerci · 24/06/2026 23:20

I hate the trend for professional cakes, especially for children's parties! It looks cute, OP, and most importantly, made with love. One of my fondest birthday memories is my mum's chocolate orange cake every year.

So would picking up a cake from Sainsbury’s fall into the trend that you “hate”?

Mumtobabyhavoc · 25/06/2026 06:17

Anewappa · 25/06/2026 06:10

So would picking up a cake from Sainsbury’s fall into the trend that you “hate”?

Why are you targeting this poster who is clearly complimenting the OP?

GaIadriel · 25/06/2026 06:19

Looks great IMO.

DetectiveDouche · 25/06/2026 06:34

inappropriateraspberry · 24/06/2026 22:03

Yes I’d be embarrassed. My 11 yo daughter just said it’s awful I’m afraid! Looks tasty but is pretty messy.

@inappropriateraspberry You probably owe it to your daughter to teach her to see beauty in imperfection and the value of something produced with love. .she might end up a tad entitled otherwise.

Anewappa · 25/06/2026 06:53

Mumtobabyhavoc · 25/06/2026 06:17

Why are you targeting this poster who is clearly complimenting the OP?

But at the same time hating something that loads of parents do. Not make a home made cake.

Hannahlou9595 · 25/06/2026 07:38

Looks delicious!! I think it looks fine for a kids party

Mayana1 · 25/06/2026 07:54

Juststickitonthetopandcallitaday · 23/06/2026 14:50

You are all too kind as it’s quite obviously homemade 🤣
Dd having Capybara themed party, so not too babyish, but she’s going through a weird phase where she’s starting to get embarrassed by things, not sure if she’ll be disappointed and just really hate the thought of me embarrassing her.
We live in a very wealthy area and all custom made cakes, which I’ve had before, but have spent a lot on the venue and also sort of fed up with the perfect ones.
But I also feel sick at the thought of presenting this and am cringing a lot 😬 and wondering why I didn’t just go with the easier option!

No matter how nice custom mades are, home made are always the best! My little one is 4,5 and I didn't make him a cake yet and I regret it! I think for his 5th will definitely make it and I know he will love it regardless how it will look like.
Give yourself a credit, you did well!

lostfather666 · 25/06/2026 08:22

i think my daughter and me would have loved it

Silverfoxette · 25/06/2026 08:34

It’s lovely she loves the cake! My Dd and I were just talking yesterday about her favourite birthday cake I made down through the years. Shes 15 now. I love that she remembers them all

MustWeDoThis · 25/06/2026 08:56

Juststickitonthetopandcallitaday · 23/06/2026 14:29

This

Would you be embarrassed to serve it at a party?

That's the most adorable cake I've ever seen. Where's it being served? Askinf for a friend 👀. Honestly, it looks lovely.

I tried to bake a cake, once. The sponges came out looking like the domed bra cup pad inserts 🤣.

spiderlight · 25/06/2026 09:08

I'm so glad she loves it! I knew she would - it's adorable.