I love celebrating other people’s birthdays, and making them feel extra special on their day. Over the course of a few days I spent some time thinking of what I could do, to make The Guy’s birthday a little different.
I ended up decorating our house with inexpensive ideas: Beer, snacks, tissue paper, balloons and confetti. What more could a guy ask for?
It may not be pinterest-worthy but I thought it was cute. It took a lot of work to individually cut that tissue paper garland and put it together, man. You know I love you when I blow up balloons for you. It’s a little fear of mine, because I don’t want to blow them up too much and have them bursting in my face. It’s a scary thing.
I had two surprises for him, one I will reveal and share with you next week. The other gift I wanted him to look away while I got it ready. Our town house is an open concept so he probably knew what he was getting as his second surprise once I opened the freezer. Singing the Happy Birthday song to him, he made his wish and blew out the candles. He had questions about where the cake came from because we usually go for the Dairy Queen cakes.
It’s been a tradition in my family for years to give the birthday-person an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. But this year when I went to BlogHer, I interacted with the Baskin Robbins folks and asked if I could potentially work with them in the future. I received a $30 gift card to go online to place my customized order on Baskin Robbins website.
Since I was given a gift card to purchase the cake I didn’t want to go online to do it because I wanted a bigger cake for him that ended up costing $49.98. I placed the order over the phone and picked it up the next day. Except when I went to pick it up, the woman charged me a $5 cake decoration fee, which wasn’t mentioned on the website nor did I ask for anything different on the cake. So I was a little muff’ed at that.
How does Baskin Robbins and Dairy Queen differ?
It’s clearly obvious the Baskin Robbins cakes are far more expensive than Dairy Queen, and I suppose that’s all due to the fact that you can do so much more with a BK cake than DQ, all the custom options, the shapes, and different flavours you can put into your personalized cake. Then again, I’m not sure how often we’ll be giving each other Baskin Robbins 9″ cakes for that price. It may have stung a little.
Did you know Baskin Robbins cakes are made differently than Dairy Queen? Clearly I didn’t because I was confused when the sales associates were telling me their cakes are half regular cake, and half ice cream cake. Luckily I was informed they had a fudge crunch cake (much like a Dairy Queen cake with chocolate on the bottom, fudgey gooy centre and vanilla on top). I went with their basic 9″ round cake that serves way more people than the two of us in the house. Perfectly okay with us :)
Baskin Robbins is more customizable with their orders. Their go-to cakes are mostly half ice cream cake, and half regular cake, but I went the full nine yards and asked for ALL the ice cream in his. Isn’t that the best? Then again, I never did have the other option so I wouldn’t know. I assume it would be good, who doesn’t like cake? I wasn’t daring enough to go for a customized option, even though cookies ‘n cream top would be incredible. There were so many options to choose from, but I went with ol’ faithful.
Now the most important part, the fudge crunch in the middle, absolutely divine. Best part of the entire cake, so fudgey and crunchy. The Guy and I agreed this was incredible. The vanilla ice cream on the cake tasted more like vanilla bean rather than a regular ol’ vanilla — it was a nice change. As for the frosting on top, it was pure sugar, and hard. As a candy and sweets lover, it was far too sweet for me, even. I prefer Dairy Queen’s creamy and soft icing.
I can’t wait to show you the second part of his birthday! For those of you who are interested in Baskin Robbins icecream and cakes, here’s a bit more information regarding up and coming cakes this season.
Some of their fun seasonal cakes include:
- Pumpkin Patch Cake – This is one jack-o-lantern you will not want to leave on your doorstep. This creative dessert, decorated as a smiling pumpkin, will trick your guests and make a fun sweet treat at the same time with your choice of ice cream and cake flavors.
- Fall Harvest Roll Cake – Delight in the season with a fudge frosted roll cake, finished with a festive decoration of leaves and pumpkins.
They’ll also be announcing two new mini-cakes available for $12.99. These serve 2-4 people — perfect for small gatherings — and cakes include:
- Celebration Mini Roll Cake – This streamer and confetti-topped cake is the perfect sweet and colorful addition to any birthday celebration!
- Rosette Mini Roll Cake – This trendy ombre cake design features rosettes in vibrant shades of purple.
Additionally, Baskin-Robbins is celebrating with guests across the globe on Twitter with its “31 Cakes in 31 Days Sweepstakes.†The brand will be giving away 31 Baskin-Robbins gift cards for valued at $31 throughout the month. and Anyone can participate in the giveaway simply by following @BaskinRobbins on Twitter and sharing how they celebrate life’s occasions with ice cream cakes using #BRCakeSweeps.
Do you have any birthday traditions?
Do you prefer icecream cake, regular cake, or something else?
When is YOUR birthday?
34 Comments
How sweet are you! Love this, that tissue paper garland is adorable! I’m sure he loved it all too! My bday is in July and we don’t do much for it but next July is the big 30!
I’m a Christmas baby, with my birthday two days before the holiday. I love regular cake with lots of cream cheese frosting. Icing is the best part to me! Nice decor! :)
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted..Pictures of food, because you like them
Such a yummy looking cake! I love the bunting and the chevron straws too!
So smart of you to contact them. I love Dairy Queen ice cream cakes, but this looks pretty delicious! Not I’m craving it. ahhh!
Candace recently posted..ShoeDazzle Backpack of my Dreams…
I LOOOOVE the DQ icecream cakes, oh my gosh. SO good. I’ve never tried the Baskin-Robbins ones before just because they don’t have any locations near us, but that looks amazing!
Chelsea recently posted..I’m Not a Morning Person
I love DQ everything. Including their cakes. I’ve never tried one from Baskin Robbins though.
Alexis Cass recently posted..Freshly Picked Review and Giveaway
I love an ice cream cake, and this one looks delicious! You’re so sweet to decorate like that. :)
Natalie recently posted..Hampton Plantation
ice cream cake all the way baby!
chelle recently posted..Working for the Weekend: College Jobs
That is so sweet of you to do! Can I have you come and do this at my house?! Ice cream cake sounds amazing BTW ;)
I love, love, love ice cream cakes, and we used to always get one for our birthdays from Dairy Queen as a child. Now, we barely even eat cake. :P
Shipra recently posted..Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Palettes, Highlighters, and Salvation Lip Lacquer Photos, Swatches, and Review + Dupes
I LOVE the fact that not only have you noticed the difference between BaskinRobbins and DQ ice cream cakes, but that you have very. specific. opinions about what makes for an ideal icecream cake :) The only birthday tradition we have is breakfast in bed – it’s what my mom did for me growing up and we still do it. It’s no icecream cake, but it’s something :)
Cute! I love the tissue paper banners. I have made a couple before– they are a lot of work but worth it.
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Melanie recently posted..Taylor
This is really cute! And I’m obsessed with ice cream cake!!!! Nice job!
I think it’s perfect :) all that work you put into it payed off :)
erica recently posted..Chocolate Cream Pie Strawberries
This is so sweet! You did such a great job setting up!
Brenda recently posted..Thank You Cards
I love your decorations! Simple but looks like you put thought into the things that your guy likes. So sweet! And the cake looks delicious! It’s been a while since I’ve had ice cream cake, but you can never go wrong with it! :)
Fiorella recently posted..Cronut Mission Accomplished!
I’m obsessed with ice cream cake, this looks so amazing and is making my mouth water! :) I can’t wait to hear about your other surprise!
Erica @ SimplySweetPrints recently posted..Raising Up One
Ok, I may sound really dumb right now but I have no idea what an icecream cake is!!
I’m assuming literally just icecream with sponge?! Whatever it is, this looks delicious! But I agree, I’m not a fan of hard icing – a bit like the icing you get on Christmas cakes?!
Katie <3
Katie Matthews recently posted..Cafe de Paris – Cabaret des Distractions
LOVE ice cream cake. I see a blue moon there too, so gooood
I have the same fear of balloons!!! Lol
Wonderful job with the birthday celebration; lucky guy :)
That garland is adorable!! Cake looks delicious too :D Happy birthday Scott!
Rebekah recently posted..The Body Shop Drops of Youth Eye Concentrate
This is so adorable. I love that you make his birthday so special.
Jessica Doll recently posted..Los Altos City Guide
@Katie Matthews: Okay now you’re confusing ME :) haha. I don’t know what you mean by sponge in a cake, so I’ll try to explain it best. Notice how the cake is cut open in that last picture? The top layer is vanilla – all ice cream (like scoop/soft serve ice cream shaped into a cake), the bottom later is chocolate. The in between layer in the middle is chocolate fudge, and crumbled up oreo (or cookie) bits. It’s delicious.
Nancy recently posted..Throwback Thursday: Climbing edition
@Melanie: I didn’t realize how much work they were to make that tissue paper garland. I ended up taking short cuts by the end of it – haha.
Nancy recently posted..Throwback Thursday: Climbing edition
I’m drooling right now! I want a Baskin Robins Ice Cream cake too!
Joanna Sormunen recently posted..Independence of Guayaquil – October 9th
Cute little space you put together! Love that garland~!
kendall recently posted..Disney on Ice: Princesses and Heroes
Ice cream cakes are the best! I’ve never had a Baskin Robbins one, though.
Carly Anderson recently posted..Mommy and Me: Fall Staples with J.Jill
i love ice cream cake! Definitely my fav. And that pumpkin patch cake sounds like something I would like too!
brita recently posted..Beer Cheese Soup
Love the Garland!! and that cake looks delish!
Ice cream cakes are our favorite! We usually go to DQ as well. Will have to look into Baskin Robbins to see what they offer.
kristine foley recently posted..Smuggling a Pumpkin + Five on Friday
Kay, Ice cream cake is the best.
i love putting up decorations for Brand on his birthday to make him feel special too!
annnd, it’s so pinterest worthy! (:
Alyssa recently posted..what I wore: so blessed
I love ice cream cake I haven’t eaten it in ages. I love the garland you put up :-)
Sarah Shermann recently posted..Mushroom Lasagna Soup
This was super cute and thoughtful of you, love how you matched the Blue Moon colors!
I have never had a DQ cake, but we LOVE Baskin Robbins cakes in this house. Can’t believe they charged a decorating fee— hmmm, all cakes must be decorated somehow.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
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