When my daughter decided she wanted a Bluey birthday cake, there was really only one option: the duck cake. If you've watched Bluey, you know exactly which one I'm talking about. Of course, in true Chaotic Table fashion, things didn't go completely according to plan. I used a softer cake than I probably should have, there were a few moments where I questioned my life choices, and it definitely wasn't picture-perfect.
But that's the thing about the duck cake. It isn't supposed to be perfect. It's supposed to be fun. The slightly wonky feathers, the potato chip beak, the popcorn hair, and the memories you make while putting it together are what make it so special. And in the end, seeing my daughter's face when she realized the duck cake was actually sitting on the table made every chaotic minute completely worth it.
If you're planning a full Bluey birthday party spread, there are plenty of fun ways to round it out. Use my American Buttercream Frosting for a great scratch-made frosting that doesn't take much effort. Set out a plate of Dirt Cake Cookies for another playful dessert that kids always get excited about. For savory snacks, Ranch Dill Oyster Crackers are perfect for little hands to grab between games, and Tater Tot Nachos make a crowd-pleasing party food that both kids and adults will happily dig into. Because let's be honest, a Bluey party isn't just about the duck cake. It's about creating the kind of fun memories everyone talks about long after the last slice has disappeared.
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cake board
- Wooden Skewers
- Stand mixer or Hand mixer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Red ribbon
- Offset spatula
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Ingredients
- American Buttercream Frosting
- Yellow food coloring
- Orange food coloring
- 8-inch round yellow cake
- 6-inch round yellow cake
- Black licorice rope
- Red M&M candies
- Wavy potato chips
- Buttered popcorn
Directions
Add the yellow food coloring and just a drop or two of orange food coloring to your buttercream one drop at a time until you achieve a ducky yellow.
Place about 1 tablespoon of buttercream on a 10-inch cake board, then set the 8-inch round cake on top. Trim 1 inch from each of the four sides to form a diamond shape, saving the scraps. Slice the cake horizontally in half, then spread about 1 cup of buttercream evenly over the cut surface. Replace the top layer. Spread about 1 cup of buttercream evenly over the cake, covering all sides.
Trim about 2 inches of cake scrap into a tail shape. Place this piece at the top back of the cake, then insert a bamboo skewer through the tail into the cake and trim any excess.
Place another piece of cake scrap, cut side down, on the top front of the cake and trim any protruding parts to form a neck.
Trim the top half of your 6-inch round cake to form a rounded shape. Position the cake onto the top part of the neck piece of the cake. Insert 2 bamboo skewers through the cake, then trim any excess.
Lightly coat the entire cake with buttercream. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let the buttercream set.
Spread the remaining frosting over the cake, using the end of an offset spatula to create a feathered texture.
Cut the black licorice rope into 2-inch pieces, then shape each piece into a circle for the eyes on the front of the face, placing one red M&M in each. Press two wavy potato chips into the face to form a beak. Tie the ribbon into a bow and place it around the neck to make a bowtie. Arrange the remaining M&Ms in a line down the front of the cake as buttons. Finally, top the head with popcorn to mimic hair.
Serve with a Bluey theme song playing in the background and enjoy your Bluey birthday cake.
How do you serve this duck birthday cake?
- Bring it out with the Bluey theme song playing and prepare for the excited squeals. This cake is the perfect centerpiece for a Bluey birthday party and pairs well with simple party foods, snacks, and plenty of ice cream.
FAQs (Because Life’s Too Busy for Guesswork)
To ensure stability in your cake and prevent the head and tail from falling off due to weight, use this common bakery trick. For larger cakes, like a bigger duck cake, I suggest adding wooden dowels for extra support. You'll also need a dowel cutter to trim any excess wood. Just remember to remove the wooden skewers before serving.
The key to frosting this cake successfully is to skim-coat as the directions state and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This way, the frosting acts like glue to hold everything together. I also find that using an offset spatula that isn’t too big is really helpful for moving the frosting around where you need it, given all the different angles of this cake.
I do not recommend hand frosting because when it sets up in the fridge, it will not be as hard as it needs to be to secure the stability of this cake.
It is hard to give you an exact amount you’ll need because each food coloring requires slightly different amounts. I recommend using gel food coloring and adding one drop at a time until you reach the desired color, because it’s easier to add more in than to take it out. To achieve that perfect ducky yellow, it has a very slight orange tint, so you’ll need to add one or two drops, depending on your brand of orange, to turn it from yellow to ducky yellow.
What are substitutions that I can make?
- Black licorice rope – Chocolate licorice or black decorating icing can be used for the eyes.
- Red M&Ms – Any similar candy can be used for the eyes and buttons.
- Wavy potato chips – Ridged chips work best, but another sturdy chip can be substituted.
- Buttered popcorn – Mini marshmallows or yellow candy melts can be used for a different "hair" option.
How should I store my leftover ducky cake?
- Duck Cake should be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving so the frosting can soften slightly for the best texture.
Was this a win at your dinner table?
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Duck Cake
Equipment
- Cake board
- Wooden skewers
- Stand mixer or Hand mixer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Red ribbon
Ingredients
- 1 batch American buttercream frosting
- Yellow food coloring
- Orange food coloring
- 1 8-inch round yellow cake
- 1 6-inch round yellow cake
- 1 black licorice rope
- 5 red M&M candies
- 2 wavy potato chips
- 1 cup buttered popcorn
Instructions
- Add the yellow food coloring and just a drop or two of orange food coloring to your buttercream one drop at a time until you achieve a ducky yellow.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of buttercream on a 10-inch cake board, then set the 8-inch round cake on top. Trim 1 inch from each of the four sides to form a diamond shape, saving the scraps. Slice the cake horizontally in half, then spread about 1 cup of buttercream evenly over the cut surface. Replace the top layer. Spread about 1 cup of buttercream evenly over the cake, covering all sides.
- Trim about 2 inches of cake scrap into a tail shape. Place this piece at the top back of the cake, then insert a bamboo skewer through the tail into the cake and trim any excess.
- Place another piece of cake scrap, cut side down, on the top front of the cake and trim any protruding parts to form a neck.
- Trim the top half of your 6-inch round cake to form a rounded shape. Position the cake onto the top part of the neck piece of the cake. Insert 2 bamboo skewers through the cake, then trim any excess.
- Lightly coat the entire cake with buttercream. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least one hour to let the buttercream set.
- Spread the remaining frosting over the cake, using the end of an offset spatula to create a feathered texture.
- Cut the black licorice rope into 2-inch pieces, then shape each piece into a circle for the eyes on the front of the face, placing one red M&M in each. Press two wavy potato chips into the face to form a beak. Tie the ribbon into a bow and place it around the neck to make a bowtie. Arrange the remaining M&Ms in a line down the front of the cake as buttons. Finally, top the head with popcorn to mimic hair.
- Serve with a Bluey theme song playing in the background and enjoy.
