The verdict is in! To celebrate 45 years of The Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book, we asked you to vote for your favourite birthday cake. From the Choo-Choo Train to Duck Cake, we asked you to choose your favourite from 25 of the most iconic cakes from the book.
With nearly 12,000 votes, the competition saw fierce rivalry between beloved classics.
But one cake came out on top with an overwhelming number of votes…
The beloved Swimming Pool Cake has claimed the crown as Australia’s favourite birthday cake!
“Born from pure creativity in our Test Kitchen in 1980, it’s still making birthday magic 45 years later,” said Women’s Weekly Food Director Fran Abdallaoui. “Australia has spoken – this is your favourite birthday cake!”
But it’s not all pool parties! Coming in second is the book’s cover cake, the Choo-Choo Train, followed by Dolly Varden in third place. Did your favourite make the top 10? Check below…
Australia’s Top 10 Favourite Birthday Cakes
- Swimming Pool
- Choo-Choo Train
- Dolly Varden
- Hickory Dickory Dock
- Rubber Ducky
- Candy Castle
- Bunny Rabbit
- Racing Track
- Little Piggy
- The Good Witch
The story behind the Swimming Pool cake
The winning cake’s creation story reveals the Test Kitchen’s ingenious approach to design. Original team member Sue Christmas’s cake concept emerged from practicality and 1980s backyard culture.
Above-ground pools dominated Australian backyards then, inspiring the design. Chocolate sticks became fencing and jelly transformed into water. The team raided their lolly cupboard for decorative touches.
Teamwork shaped the final design. Sally Kennard suggested the liquorice ladder, while Ellen Sinclair’s cocktail umbrellas provided the finishing touch.
“We worked as a team,” Christmas reflects. “We all pitched in and helped each other out.”
The Children’s Birthday Cake Book legacy continues
As part of the Children’s Birthday Cake Book celebrations, we turned the swimming pool cake into swimming pool cupcakes! Make your own little pool cakes with the recipe here.
Visit our Children’s Birthday Cake Book hub to discover more beloved birthday cake recipes, baking and cake decorating tips, and celebrate 45 years of sweet memories.
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