11220 Easy-Bake Birthday Cakes Fri Jul 25 15:44:00 -0700 2008 http://www.chow.com/stories/11220 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:44:00 GMT Ditch the mix Ditch the mix. Homemade is tastier, more impressive, and just as simple. http://www.chow.com none 7 Entertaining 1

Maybe it’s a little rough around the edges. Maybe it leans a little to the left. Maybe the frosting looks like a relief map of the moon. But there is something truly special about a homemade birthday cake. And with our help—and these recipes—it can be almost easy.

(Roll over cake for slice closeup)

Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Cake
with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake

Moist Yellow Cake
with Bittersweet Chocolate Frosting

yellow cake

Triple Malt Chocolate Cake
with Vanilla Malt Frosting

chocolate cake

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