I have a grandson who loves pirates. I thought others might be interested in the pirate cake and party as well. It is such fun to be able to do the little extra things for grandchildren, things you may not have been able to do with your own children. When my children were growing up I tried to spend as much time with them as possible, but being the primary support, this wasn't always possible. It is difficult for a working parent to do the little extra things that are such fun. I did manage to have parties for them and it was always such fun and brought them such joy. They are older now with their own children and are doing a better job than I did at parties for the wee ones. I am grateful they both have loving partners to help them provide for and give love to my grandchildren. Take some time out today to do some little thing for your children, your grandchildren, or just have a party for yourself:-).

How to Make a Pirate Cake

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Having a pirate party? Celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19? Ahoy there matey, this pirate cake will be an instant hit with any budding swashbuckler. This article assumes that you already have the cake (madeira sponge); you can either make one or purchase one.

Ingredients

• madeira sponge cake
  
• buttercream
  
• chocolate sticks
  
• chocolate coins
  
• mint imperials (round mints)
  
• sugared miniature gems
  
• yellow cocktail sugar or yellow sherbet
  

Steps

1. Add the buttercream. Cover the whole of the madeira cake in buttercream using a palette knife. This will help the chocolate sticks stick to the cake.
   
2. Add the chocolate sticks.
   
   • Stick chocolate sticks to the long side of the cake.
     
   • Alternate them from side to side, as shown in this image.
     
   • Fill the gaps by cutting more chocolate sticks to length. Repeat on the other side.
     
   • Fill the ends with more sticks cut down to size.
     
   
   
3. Make "sand". Spread a rough layer of buttercream on the cake board around the chest.
   
   • Use a spoon to sprinkle the yellow sugar over the buttercream.
     
   
   
4. Place the treasure on top.
   
   • Cover the top of the cake with chocolate coins, and place a few around the sides of the chest to make it look like the treasure's overflowing.
     
   • Use mint imperials and mini gems to make necklaces and jewels.
     
   
   
5. Place the characters amidst the treasure. Complete the scene by positioning a few pirate characters and toys around the chest.
   
   • If wished, put a few bits of toy treasure in the cake. Just be sure to take anything inedible off the cake before you serve it, especially if this is for very young children.
     
   
   

Tips

• If you cannot find some of the candies/sweets/lollies mentioned above, substitute with ones that you have in your region, using your imagination to find suitable shapes.
  

Things You'll Need

• Clean workspace
  
• Palette knife
  
• Clean pirate figures
  
• Serving platter/cake stand
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Fire Breathing Dragon Cake
  
• How to Make a 3D Dinosaur Birthday Cake
  
• How to Have a Pirate Party for Kids or Adults
  
• How to Have a Pirate Costume Party
  
• How to Act Like a Pirate
  
• How to Talk Like a Pirate
  

Sources and Citations

• VideoJug. A video of making a pirate cake; original source of article. Shared with permission and appreciation.
  
• Original creator of cake: expert Sugarcrafter Jan Clement-May and sugarcraft school, Squires Kitchen.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Pirate Cake. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.