If the very idea of baking a cake leaves you weak in the knees (obviously the ones you baked before either collapsed or were too stiff to be eaten), you’ll be quaking when you think of diaper cakes. But here’s a cake that won’t be served as dessert and is definitely not soft on the palate. But, what it will do is delight the new parents while taking a big weight off their shoulders. A delightful centerpiece that doubles as a very practical gift – even the baking-challenged can get this one right.

What is a diaper cake?

Basically, it is a very useful gift for new parents. A number of diapers are arranged together to look just like a cake. It packs a lot of useful stuff including bibs, rattles, receiving blankets, wipes and towels. Diaper cakes may be based on a theme and look better if they are color coordinated.

What are the ingredients?

You will need approximately 50 disposable diapers. It is always better to pack diapers of varying sizes because babies soon outgrow the basic size and you would want the gift to be long lasting. The base of the cake is made of cardboard or some such tough material. You will also need narrow satin ribbon for tying the rolled diapers and tying the tiers together. About 8-10 feet of wide ribbon is needed to finish the tiers. You will also need a tall baby bottle with candies in it and an assortment of items like teething rings, combs, baby shampoo, brushes, rattles, bibs and anything else you may want to give.

Making the diaper cake:

This is the part that needs a bit of concentration. Decide beforehand how many tiers you want, and whether the decoration on the diaper cake should appear on the outside. Then, all you have to do is to roll the diapers and arrange them neatly into tiers, with the lowest tier having the most number of diapers. This may sound all too easy, but requires some trial and error to get right. Try to hide all ugly rubber bands with the narrow ribbon. In the center of each tier, place some delightful and surprising gift – a coupon, toy, cream, or clothing. Secure the tiers carefully by inserting wooden dowels through each layer from base to top. How you make the cake look attractive and interesting depends on your creativity. Covering the ‘nappy cake’ with cellophane and adding a satin bow are just some of the things you can do.

Some tips:

A fatter cake will need an extra diaper in each tier.

It is much easier to buy a commercial diaper cake than to make one, unless you want to impress someone with your personal touch. The disadvantage is that you cannot add things that you like, and will have to accept whatever your shop has put in. Before allowing any young children to handle the diaper cake, remove any objects that may hurt them.

Diaper cakes are delightful gifts to give and receive. The size of a cake can range from a cupcake to a 4-tier cake. So, the next time you are invited to a baby shower, make a grand entrance with the smartest gift – your very own diaper cake.