Birthday cake is undoubtedly a delicious way to mark a special day, but it certainly isn’t the only one, and if you’re looking to surprise someone with something different on their big day, there are endless options for you to consider. Below, we have collected together some of the best birthday cake alternatives that you might want to make.

Candy sushi

If you’re looking for a great alternative to birthday cake for young ones in your life, it’s good to know that most kids love this candy sushi recipe. It’s cute, has a kawaii vibe, which is totally on-trend with the younger generation, and it certainly fulfills all of those sweet cravings that you might be having. Oh, it’s also extremely easy to make too. Teenagers, in particular, will love this particular birthday cake alternative as it somehow seems a bit more grown-up, while also being totally cute and child-like too.

Cookie cake

If you’re looking to bake something special for the person in your life who prefers cookies to cake, then you might be interested to know that you can combine the two by making this white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie cake instead. It’s special enough that it will impress at a big birthday celebration, while also satisfying the need for cookie-based goodness at the same time.

Fridge cake

Despite its name, fridge cake is not actually a cake. So what is it? Basically, it’s a solid slab of chocolatey gooey deliciousness. It’s also one of the easiest and most indulgent cakes to make. In order to make fridge cake, all you need to do is combine melted chocolate with a little golden, or maple, syrup, and whatever combination of nuts, dried fruits, broken biscuits, and sweets you desire. Leave it to set in the fridge and you have one impressive dessert that everyone will love. Take this basic recipe and make it your own. Switch up the filling to adapt it to your audience, and you’ll be the birthday hero.

English trifle

Trifle has been a favorite of the Brits, especially on special occasions, for decades, and although it isn’t exactly a refined dish, it is a delicious one, and since it is basically a dish that you assemble, it’s really easy to put together. You can make it boozy by including a rum-soaked sponge cake or opt for a more child-friendly jelly bottom, but either way, it’s sure to go down a treat at any birthday celebration where it’s served up.

S’mores freak shake

If you’re looking for something completely different, but as sweet as your guests will be expecting, then you could do a lot worse than this s’mores freak shake which is more decadent than it has any right to be. Chocolatey, biscuits, marshmallowy, this thick and decadent dessert is one to keep for special occasions only, but that only makes its appearance at the dinner table that bit more exciting.

What are your go-to alternatives to birthday cake? Or are you the strictly traditional type?