At 12 Oaks Desserts, we can’t say enough times how much we enjoy designing epic custom cakes and dessert tables for kid’s birthday parties. We’ve had a few opportunities to design dessert tables for dinosaur-themed parties and must admit this subject matter is a favorite for our team. There are so many directions you can go with dinosaur desserts and what we enjoy most is creating an impressive and cohesive dessert table to enhance the impact of a custom cake. There’s really something magical about a child spotting their birthday cake and desserts for the first time and their complete look of awe and joy knowing they’re about to eat them! Here are some of our learnings from past Dinosaur dessert tables.

STEP 1: DINO DESSERT TABLE BRAINSTORM

As you’d expect, the first step in dessert table designing is to sit down with the client(s), in this case the parents, to discuss their little one’s interests, likes and dislikes. We like to understand the guest count, especially when designing a dessert table in order to recommend an ideal amount of desserts. With dinosaur parties in particular, it’s important to know whether the theme should be more about happy/friendly dinos or scary (i.e. real life) dinosaurs. Obviously, the former would be more tailored to a younger birthday crowd. Our dinosaur dessert tables have been geared toward 3+ kiddos, so they’re more comfortable with a scarier theme. In addition, we like to confirm whether the party has a more commercial or movie-related theme, like “Jurassic World” or “The Land Before Time” so we can incorporate references to the movie in the desserts. Finally, it’s also important to note at this stage whether the birthday boy or girl has a favorite type of dinosaur (T-Rex, Stegosaurus) so we can ensure their favorite dino is a central part of the tablescape.

STEP 2: THE EPIC CUSTOM CAKES

In 2017, we received our first “Jurassic World” Dinosaur Cake and Dessert table order and were thrilled to take on the challenge. This order came from a long-time client whose sons celebrate their birthdays together each year. With two birthday boys, we always make them each a special cake, and the “Jurassic World” party was no different. One birthday cake was designed with a fondant dinosaur claw halfway out of the side of the cake. The other had an actual toy dinosaur emerging from the cake. While this design made for a really cool look, the dinosaur embedded in the cake was not only a little tricky to do, but made the cake’s integrity a little weaker, so that’s something to consider for next time. I think if I were to use this design in the future, I’d opt for a smaller emerging toy dino.

For our second Dinosaur dessert table, we were given complete creative control over the cake design. After some thought, I was excited to create a landscape for several dinosaur toys, centered around a volcano cake. With a funfetti cake and chocolate buttercream icing, I designed a five-layered cake. Next I cut it into a volcano shape, and then completed it with a fun sprinkle bomb in the center. Because, we don’t know what’s in the center of a volcano! ;) With red and orange isomalt flames at the top of the volcano, the effect of eruption was achieved and looked amazing. BUT I wasn’t totally satisfied.

And then I started thinking about how to really surprise the birthday boy, asking, what if the volcano erupted?? After a little brainstorming session on how to make that work, I included a recessed bowl and some plastic wrap at the top of the volcano where I could include dry ice. During set up at the party, I scattered dinosaur toys around the base of the volcano cake to create the effect of a “dino”rama. I got lots of “ohhs” and “ahhs” from the party guests when they walked by and started to get very excited for the main event.

When it came time to sing Happy Birthday, we crowded around the table and I poured a little water over the dry ice and the volcano began smoking. The effect of the smoking volcano really impressed the birthday boy and his friends -- there were some jaws that hit the floor! Another special touch that the birthday boy was excited about: I used a recent picture of him hiking, printed it on sugar paper and included it with the toy dinos. His reaction: “Hey, that’s me!” It was like he was part of the dinosaur diorama!

STEP 3: CAKE POPS AND MORE

To round out the rest of the table and to showcase the custom cake, we love incorporating additional desserts.. It’s also an opportunity to create a coordinated color scheme. But overall, it’s a chance to make the table even more fun and playful.

When we did the “Jurassic World” dessert table, we were able to create some custom desserts that were “firsts” for 12 Oaks Desserts, like the Dinosaur Bones (white chocolate covered pretzel sticks and marshmellows) and Test Tube Drinks (filled with Kool Aid). Our favorite new creation from that birthday party was our Mini Candy Volcanoes, which were upside down sugar cones, filled with popcorn and candy, with a licorice “eruption”. The clients were completely wowed and the guests had a blast identifying all of the different treats and giving them a try.

And while the volcano cake from our other dinosaur party stole the show, we also incorporated T-Rex cake pops and Dirt Pudding. The little ones were so excited about the T-Rex cake pops which also make for the perfect party favor (sorry, parents, for the added sugar rush ;) ).

Our Dinosaur Dessert Tables have been a blast to design and create! One thing we really appreciated about these kinds of orders is the chance to create custom desserts to wow our clients and the opportunity to expand on ideas from past parties. Can’t wait for the next order!

A little more about 12 Oaks Desserts...

12 Oaks is a female-run custom dessert studio, founded in 2010 in Manhattan, NY. From their new commercial kitchen in North Hollywood, sisters-in-law Katherine and Missy create unique and modern (not to mention delectable) cakes, cakepops, cheesecakes and more. Delivery or pickup is available in the LA area, and 12 Oaks’ cake pops ship nationwide. You can see what they’re up to in the kitchen by following @12oaksdesserts on instagram or visiting their website, www.12oaksdesserts.com.