I don't usually bake....

I don't usually bake,...but when I do, I usually find myself doing it for a special occasion.  I've only baked a REAL cake once, and it was for McKenzie's 3rd birthday, which was a Toy Story themed party.  Like always I was up all night the day before cooking and baking. This cake (although it turned out to be fine, was a disaster) the fondant was a sticky mess and the design I had anticipated turned out to be nothing like I planned...nonetheless the cake was delicious (I used the Dr.Pepper Cake recipe from Dinosaur BBQ Cookbook). That was the LAST time I baked, besides a tray of brownies or slice and bake cookies.

On Thursday McKenzie turns four, and even though we already celebrated in June, we've decided to have a little birthday cake for her on her actual birthday. One of her favorite things right now is Spiderman (just like her Mom). So, I will be making a Spiderman cake, and possibly cupcakes, depending on my patience.

Here are some of my Spiderman inspirations from Pinterest....

Looks easy enough right? 

I've created cuteness before,...here's some of my past creations...

 McKenzie's 1st birthday (Ladybuy themed)

And Riley's 1st birthday (Owl themed)

I'd like to say I've got this one in the bag, especially with the simpleness of the cake design...but like most of my baking experiences, or at least my first attempts, it looks something more like this...

UPDATE 8/15/12

Spiderman cake was a great success, McKenzie LOVED it!

Summer days....

Zoo-time

Fun outside

Picnics in the Park

Cucumbers from the garden

Long days of outside fun....early unexpected naps on the couch...

Handstands with friends...

Backyard sh-mores

Bavarian-fest

Pre-haircut breakfast at Panera

Mac loves baby Snow white

Syracuse Chiefs Game

Ice cream with sprinkles!

Beach time at Yaman Beach Park

Playdates with Pre-school friends

German Chocolate Cake Bars

Recipe from Paula Deen

Crust:
1 box devil's good cake mix (not the kind with pudding added)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

Filling:
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat free and it was fine)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup shredded coconut (I used sweetened coconut)
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan (I used non-stick cooking spray).
In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter and egg, and press into the bottom of the prepared pan. The crust should not come up the sides. Bake for 7 minutes and remove from the oven. The crust will not look done.
While the crust is baking, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, egg, pecans and coconut. Pour evenly over the warm crust and sprinkle evenly with the chocolate chips. Bake for 24-30 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares.