Let Dad have his cake... and eat it too

Getting the perfect gift for the perfect dad is stressful enough. The perfect cake does not have to be. Cakes are the quintessential celebratory treat. No party would be the same without it and it’s almost impossible to get it wrong, even if you bake it yourself, but just in case you’re not sure where to start, here are a few helpful tips to ensure that you get it right.

Many children are still at home and making daddy’s cake from scratch is a great opportunity to bond. As a child, dad was not much of a baker, so Mother’s Day cakes were always store bought, but every year my sister and I would help our mother make dad his favourite, pineapple upside down cake, with love from his favourite girls. Not only did he love it, but as an adult, it is still one of my favourite memories with my father, knowing we were able to make him something with our own hands and seeing how much he savoured and appreciated every bite (or at least pretended to).

If you want to play it safe, sponge is the easy way to go, but knowing what dad’s favourite cake is will give you the edge. It’s his day, after all. Why not go all out? Chocolate and red velvet are also easy-to-bake favourites. If dad has a pre-existing condition that prohibits sugary treats, like diabetes, there are many low calorie, no sugar and even flourless cake recipes online for you to choose from.

If you don’t have the baker’s touch and are afraid of burning the kitchen to ashes, not to worry. There are people who do this for a living. Having a cake professionally made is an even better opportunity to personalise, and I’m not just talking about Happy Father’s Day, Dad in icing.

If you really want to say a few words, try instead a line from his favourite book, movie or TV show. It could even be something personal that he says around the house all the time.

Alcohol-infused cakes and cupcakes have also been a huge trend in recent years, and I’m sure dad will get a kick out of seeing his drink of choice as a cake topper.

These are low budget options, that will still make a lasting impression, but if you’ve got the extra cash to splurge, you’d be surprised what a seasoned baker can do with fondant. You can recreate something that your dad loves. If he spends his free time under the hood of his car for example, a cake shaped like a tool kit may be a fun surprise.

Whatever you decide to do, make it personal.