This year Joshua requested a gecko cake for his birthday (actually, first he wanted an axolotl cake and then he decided on a gecko). He’s really into animals and really into reptiles, so I wasn’t at all surprised.
I used a single homemade round chocolate cake layer to make this gecko. I was surprised at how well it worked out…I had just a few scraps left and those were happily consumed by the kids. 
I loosely followed the pattern from the axolotl cake diagram for my initial cuts and then just used some of the scraps for the legs.
The axolotl cake recipe suggested freezing the cake before frosting it, so I gave that a try and I am a believer now! If you’ve ever hacked up a cake and then tried to frost it, you know that the cut sides are a bear to deal with. Freezing the cake before frosting it makes the job so much easier.
I let Joshua and his friend do the frosting.
I think this was nearly as much fun for them as eating the cake.
Joshua came up with the idea to use chick sprinkles (from a clearance pack of sprinkles that I bought after Easter) for the gecko’s claws. We also sprinkled the top of the gecko with green sugar from the same pack because it made him look a bit more reptilian.
And we used some sour cherry balls for the eyes.
You know what’s nice about giving the frosting job to the kids? It relieves you of any responsibility for making the cake perfect (not that any of mine ever look perfect!).
Joshua was over the moon about his gecko cake, just like Lisey was about her imperfect Peep bunny cake (and like Zoe was about her imperfect Mola-Mola cake). And Sonia was very pleased with her CandyLand Cake, even though it didn’t look nearly as nice as the one in the magazine.
I love that my children are so excited about the not-magazine-worthy cakes that I turn out…Martha Stewart Living will never call and ask me to share my decorating tips on their TV show, but my cakes make my kids happy and that’s what matters. 
Today’s 365 post: More slightly ugly bread from me
De says
Thanks for the tip about freezing! Anything that makes icing easier, I will try.
My kids are always thrilled about my decorating attempts, too. God bless them. I’ll never be a fan of Cake Wrecks or anything snarky like that.
Kristen says
Oh man, my cakes could definitely be on Cake Wrecks sometimes. lol I’ve made some ugly ones in my day. I can make beautiful bread, but beautiful cakes are not my specialty.
Cake Wrecks, if I understand it right, is making fun of bad cakes made by professionals. You and I don’t claim to be professionals, so our cakes might be held to a different standard. =P
Rebecca says
Doing a “crumb coat” of frosting first, and letting the frosting set definitely helps. The second layer of frosting is clear of any crumbs, and you can be more specific and detailed in your decorating. Just make each coat a little lighter than one heavy coat, so you don’t end up in frosting over load!
Kristen says
I know my mom did those, but you know what another problem of mine is? I lack the patience to do two coats of frosting.
lol
Battra92 says
You know, I think Joshua is in the making of being one awesome kid. I mean, look at that shirt in the second and third picture!
On a side note I’m sure he would’ve enjoyed this show on predators (mostly reptiles) that I saw with my fiancee yesterday when we were at the county fair. He showed snakes, a baby gator and a small crocodile as well as various turtles and lizards. It was quite educational (not in the sensational or typical manner of most animal shows but an actual educational and science based show.)
Kristen says
That shirt was a birthday present from Lisey. And I told Joshua that when I posted these pictures, I thought you’d notice his shirt! lol
Joshua would love that predator show…he eats that kind of thing up!
Karen S. says
Hmmm…let me see how my post could tie into the Gecko post…so I’ m not totally hijacking. Hmmm…this is about celebrations and my post will be about celebrations, that’s it
Anyways…I’m thinking about the fact that Sukkot, a Jewish holiday where you build a temporary “hut” in your backyard is coming up soon…and the tradition is to eat your meals in your Sukkah (the hut), and also do entertaining. But, how do you entertain frugally when your friends have upped the ante? Some friends have hot h’oers d’oevres and chocolate fountains at their Sukkah parties…too much money and too much work. Any suggestions for frugal fall entertaining? Thanks in advance.
Rose@imafrugalgirl.com says
HOW ADORABLE!!!! My son would love this. Also great tip on the frosting. Thannks!
priskill says
Wow — these are wonderful! Your kids must be thrilled! And I have never even HEARD of the first animal you mentioned — followed the links found the little pink guy. Amazing!
Molly says
Wait, is Joshua the oldest? I think I’d superimposed my family structure onto yours and decided he was second. (As in my family it’s girl, boy, girl, girl, and the oldest is “Leesie.”)
Kristen says
Yep, he’s my firstborn! Which is lovely because I really, really, really wanted a boy the first time.
Bonnie says
So cute! Just wondering– do you have a specific website that you go to for your templates, or do you just google them as needed? Sorry if you’ve already answered this question…I am thinking of making my son a lion cake for his birthday, and you’ve inspired me! Thanks!
Kristen says
I just google them as needed or I look at a picture of the animal I’m trying to make. That’s how I made Zoe’s mola-mola cake, and I make peep cakes by looking at our stuffed peeps.
A lion cake has to be more popular than an axolotl or mola-mola cake so I bet there are some great templates or ideas out there for you!
Linda says
I am a professional cake decorator when I need a template for a cake idea such as your lion; I Google (I mean SWAGBUCK), “LION COLORING PAGE” the coloring pages are usually very simple drawings that can be translated to cake pretty easily
Bonnie says
Awesome Linda, thanks! And thanks, Kristen, for your response!
Anne - Mommy has to Work says
I love the cake! I’m going to try it this weekend in preperation for my son’s 10th birthday. Wish me luck!
gina says
this is so cute
i could never be this creative! hehe
maura says
Great cake! It reminds me of the “Buddy” dinosaur cake I made for my son last fall. I just did a post on homemade cakes too. Hat off to homemade birthday cakes for our kids. Don’t you just love the joy and delight in their faces when they see your creation!
Eli says
I love it! So cute :]
I’ve been going crazy downloading your recipes.