
While the oven was preheating, I prepared the pan and set it aside to mix a double batch of my favorite chocolate cake recipe. The cake pan holds about one and a half batches of traditional cake batter.
After the bottom half of the pan has been filled, the top half attaches and then a few pieces of kitchen twine are used to keep the halves together as the cake rises. I poured the remaining cake batter into an 8-inch round pan to be used as the cake’s base. Then it was off to the oven for the recipe’s recommended baking time.

I continued on until the cake was covered with feathers. Then I mixed a small amount of orange for the beak per my daughter’s request. Using a large white chocolate disk and light blue frosting, I prepared two eyes to be attached to the head. I tried in vain to replicate Amelia’s rose comb and wattles, but each time it seemed to make the cake look more like a duck than it did without them. In the end, I decided that as far as a child’s birthday cake is concerned, aesthetics were more important than physiology. After affixing a piece of 1.5-inch-wide ribbon to the outside edge of the bottom base layer, it was time for the cake to sit patiently in the refrigerator until party time arrived.
When it was finally time to affix the candles and sing “Happy Birthday” to our birthday girl, I was happy with the results. So was she. Her smile told me that all of my hard work was worth it. She didn’t care that it slightly resembled a duck or that Amelia’s beautiful rose comb had been left out. She was only concerned with the excitement of her big day and the knowledge that I loved her enough to try and make exactly what she wanted. That was reward enough for me.
Now you know all about my journey to create an original cake in the likeness of Amelia, one of our Golden Laced Wyandottes. If you are interested in learning about all of the chicken-themed handmade gifts that I crafted to be given to the birthday girl, stay tuned. I’ll be writing about them in my next post.
8 Comments
I’m not a mom, but just wanted to give you some huge kudos to being an outstanding parent! I’m lucky if my mom remembers my bithday. Not looking for sympathy just touting your amazing efforts; your daughter is one lucky girl!
I was going to suggest cutting the shapes out of fruit leather for the comb and wattles, but Lois’s idea is probably better.
Paula,
I love the molding idea using PlayDough! You have sent my mind racing trying to come up with the next thing I’ll want to try and make. I can sense that I will be picking up a new container and finding something to mold out of chocolate for the next cake that I make!
Another method of making strange-shaped objects is to use Wilton candy melts and playdough! Buy colored candy melts or tint some with Wilton candy colors until it is the right color. Melt SLOWLY in a double boiler or on low in the microwave. Either pipe it onto wax paper, or make an impression in clean new playdough and fill it with the warm candy. Refrigerate until candy is cool and hard. Pop off the 3D candy pieces and add to cake. I have used this method to make edible car keys, a Starbucks cup lid, boulders for a castle cake, and many oddball cake decorations!
Lois,
Thank you for the lovely compliment and great ideas for our next chicken cake! I can’t wait to try your tip for the comb. I see a second chicken cake in my near future! I hope that you will try the leaf tip the next time you find yourself making a chicken cake and let me know what you think. I was surprised at how well they turned out.
The horse cake sounds fantastic. My daughter loves horses almost as much as she loves her chickens, so I’m sure your idea will come in handy. So far, I have turned duck cakes into a poodle, polar bear, and chicken. Who knows what I might come up with next!
You did a great job!
Let me give you a hint for your next chicken cake. Trust me, you will be asked to make another one. I started my caking hobby with a chicken cake.(you can also spring for a small heavy 3D chicken mold often found on ebay)
Use red fondant or very stiff frosting to make the comb, opening up the bottom of the comb like an envelope so that it sits down upon the head.
Adding black food coloring to the chocolate is how to achieve black without having to mess up people’s teeth with the color.
I love your idea for the feathers. I have only ever used the star tip, but yours look more realistic. I definitely will use my leaf tip next time.
You can also use the rubber ducky pan to make a horse. Cut down the beak and add a stiff frosting muzzle. Cut down the tail feather hump and draw down ribbons of frosting for the tail. Make fondant ears, use Jr. Mint candy for the eyes. (in February, you can find the heart shaped Jr. Mints at JoAnne Fabric stores.)
I think you will continue to amaze your daughter year after year because after your first chicken cake, the possibilities are endless!
Thanks for the kind compliment. I’m glad that your daughter is still keeping her fond memories close at heart. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that my daughter will do the same.
Great story—terrific cake! Many years ago when my youngest daughter was turning 8 (I think) she had a “raccoon birthday”. She still still remembers it…so I’m betting your daughter will remember her special chicken day!