Birthday cake alternatives for that fussy housemate

Cakes, although largely considered the best part of a birthday, aren’t for everyone. It can be difficult deciding what to get someone who never eats cake for the rest of the year - but not to fear! Here are a few birthday cake alternatives that are just as festive. 

1. Cupcakes

Okay, so it’s technically still a cake. But they taste very different to normal cake, and can be a great way to decorate for someone’s big day too. Icing is your best friend for this one; design each cupcake with a balloon or a candle, and it immediately looks like you’ve made more effort than just buying a cake. With their light, airy texture, cupcakes can be a lot more manageable than a whole cake, especially when no one eats the rest and the cake ends up going stale in a container. 

2. Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a great option for someone who wants the illusion of a cake, but can’t stand the taste of Victoria Sponge for the twentieth year in a row. Like cake, Cheesecake has a lot of different flavours: strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant just to name a few. If you have a friend that has a slightly concerning obsession with fruit, this one might be for you. It’s a cheap, student-friendly option that everyone will love. 

3. Ice Cream Cake

Who doesn’t love ice cream? This is a great alternative to a birthday cake, particularly if they have a summer birthday. There’s nothing better than getting to cool down after a long day at the beach, or shopping in town. Originally popular in America and Australia, this phenomenon is slowly spreading over to England. The options for ice cream flavours are limitless, and leave you feeling refreshed rather than uncomfortably full.

4. Cookie Cakes

Cookie cakes can be a subtle difference from the usual selection of birthday cakes. Not only does it still look like a cake, but it can be all different types of cookie flavour. Feel free to add in those mini eggs, or that particular brand of chocolate they won’t shut up about. With more of a crisp, crunchy texture, it’s bound to be a hit. After all, if they eat cookies on the other 364 days of the year, why not eat one on their birthday?

No matter the preference, there are many amazing alternative options for birthday cake. Birthdays should be about enjoyment, not just about fulfilling traditions that people expect and dread. At the end of the day, anything you can put candles in does the job.