A monkey birthday cake is a fun treat to make for any child or adult who loves animals. No matter what level of decorating skill you have, you can create a cake that will impress the birthday person and help make his or her party a truly sweet experience!
Say Happy Birthday With a Monkey Cake
Wilton Monkey Cake
For decorators who like following a specific template and instructions, Wilton manufactures a monkey cake pan that is easy to use and takes one standard box of cake mix. To decorate the cake, you'll need a number of basic tools, including a flat spatula, frosting tips, a reusable pastry bag or several disposable bags, and a coupler. You'll also need to mix or buy brown, black, and peach-colored buttercream frosting. Full instructions for how to decorate a few different versions of the cake are available at Wilton's website.
Monkey Face Cake
A monkey face cake is a simple design that you can create with either fondant or buttercream frosting. To make it, you'll need one single or double layer eight- or nine-inch round cake and two cupcakes.
- Let the cake and cupcakes cool completely. Wrap the cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, and place them in the freezer for 15 to 25 minutes or until they become firm and chilled.
- Using a long, serrated knife, cut one curved portion from each cupcake so that the remaining parts will fit against the round cake to form the monkey's ears. Secure the "ears" to the round cake with buttercream frosting.
- Using a flat spatula, apply a crumb coat of buttercream to the cake. Refrigerate or freeze the cake briefly until the frosting firms.
- Coat the top of the cake with either rolled brown fondant or a layer of brown buttercream frosting.
- If you used fondant, roll out three rough ovals from a lighter brown or peach color of the frosting. Use the largest oval for the monkey's face and two smaller ovals for the monkey's ears. Secure each oval to the cake by "pasting" it on with a small amount of buttercream frosting.
- If you used buttercream, let the brown frosting firm, and then add a face shape and two ovals for ears with a lighter color of buttercream and a flat spatula.
- Finish the monkey's facial features and detailing with black candies, black fondant, edible black paint, or black buttercream frosting.
Monkey Toppers
If you're an experienced decorator, you might enjoy the challenge of creating a special topper for a monkey birthday cake. Most edible toppers are made with fondant or gum paste.
Creating a monkey figure can be hard to do without reference, so consider printing out a photo of a monkey or using a cartoon monkey picture as a guide for your design. Make a rough sketch of how you want the topper to look, and begin by tinting your frosting to the colors you need. Form the main part of the body and the head first, and add each limb by securing it with a dab of buttercream or with fondant "glue." Roll out any clothing or thin pieces for the monkey, wrap them around the body, and secure. Try to make the cut of each piece you use as clean as possible so that the finished product looks professional and vibrant.
Let a fondant or gum paste cake topper air dry for several days before you place it on a cake, or serve it as soon as it's finished. "Paste" the topper on the cake with buttercream, snap a photo or two, and serve!
A Fun Cake Design for All Ages
You don't have to be a child to appreciate this fun design. Even adults will get a kick out of a cake decorated with monkeys. Give one of these design ideas a try, and your cake is sure to be appreciated and admired.
