These 11 Awesome Number Shaped Cake Ideas Are What Your Next Birthday Party Needs

I've never dunked a cake into milk, but I'd be willing to try it with a cookie-adorned birthday cake. Cookies and cream make such a classic flavor combination, as well as one that's simple to find decorations for. Best of all, no one will ever judge you for being heavy-handed when you plop a whole pack of Oreos into vanilla buttercream icing.

It's a cake... it's a mermaid... it's downright magical. Kathy over at Merriment Design cooked up an easy template for a mermaid cake that's sure to make a splash with your sea-loving kiddo. This is a number cake cool enough to make an under-appreciated ninth birthday memorable.

Cupcakes are my personal favorite because of consistent portion sizing, the lack of need for a knife (I'm horrible at cutting), and the ability to create just about any shape. You don't have to feel limited just because you're working with round objects, either. Because they're so adaptable, pull-apart cupcake instructions can be used for almost any shape. Using either each cupcake or a foundation of icing slathered across the top, you can easily arrange them into a number.

Confession: I'm not a huge fan of the color pink. But this pretty, stellar dessert really takes the cake. If you're planning a birthday party featuring the cartoon characters Pinkalicious and Peterrific, this is a showstopper. Whether your kiddo is turning one, two, 12, im sure you'll find this DIY number cake recipe handy.

Hershey bar lovers deserve their own separate cake, yes? Even the most amateur baker (aka me) can top this stunner with their favorite mini chocolate bars on a cake and make it look genius. If all that cocoa deliciousness looks boringly monochromatic (but, like, how?!) switch it up with white chocolate.

If bright, primary color-themed candies will make your little one say, "ooh," "ahh," or "mmm!" then make their day with an M&Ms number cake. If it looks like time-consuming work, it is: Debbie of One Little Project warned that it took her 90 minutes to decorate the rainbow. But the effect is more than worth it.

The little tea party enthusiast in your life can't help but raise a dainty pinky finger to this number four cake. You can never go wrong with candies and sprinkles. Australian blogger Cintia also includes a helpful diagram that makes cutting the shape a cinch.

Macarons are possibly the most colorful cookies ever, which is no wonder why it's a no-brainer to dot a number-shaped cake with macarons. If you are going with a more traditional sponge with icing, this French, meringue-based confection will provide a nice crisp bite to counterbalance all that softness. Throw macarons in as the star of the show or mix it up with other types of decorative features, like meringue cookies.

Mira at Cooking LSL simplifies the number cake trend with this easy-to-follow cream tart recipe. The almond cookie base provides a great foundation for the whipped cream filling. Although she uses fresh fruit, flowers, and halved macarons, feel free to expand on the fruit theme.

Here's the best thing about this Hawaii-inspired number-shaped cream tart: it was made using white box cake. Keeping it simple doesn't mean you have to skimp on elegance. Use white chocolate chips, candy dots, and sprinkles to create beautifully textured layers.

Homemade mini meringues, candies, and edible glitter in a rainbow of pastel colors add a sweet flair to this project. The number three-shaped cake pan used for the recipe is the key to simplifying the cutting process. Toss on a few light-colored flowers and admire your work.