12 birthday desserts that aren't cake
Because sometimes you want to deviate from birthday tradition.
Date
May 11, 2026
Not everyone loves cake. And for those people (many of whom are in my own family), a traditional layered birthday cake simply won’t do for their special day. Whether you’re celebrating an avowed cake hater or simply want to change things up at parties this year, we have lots of birthday desserts that aren’t cake, including ice cream, blondies, baked Alaska, and even a giant cinnamon roll.
1) Birthday Cake Ice Cream
This no-churn ice cream is so easy, it feels like a magic trick: Simply beat together heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk until billowy and voluminous, then freeze until firm. A big splash of vanilla paste, cubes of yellow cake, and a handful of sprinkles bring the celebratory vibes — stick a candle in each scoop and you’ve got a birthday treat for any ice cream lovers in your life.
Get the recipe: Birthday Cake Ice Cream
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste and Supernatural Rainbow Softies Sprinkles
2) Baked Alaska
This show-stopping dessert consists of a brownie base, swirled raspberry and mango no-churn ice cream, and a cloak of torched meringue in a sliceable dome. It’s a labor of love, but you can also use store-bought ice cream to simplify the prep. There’s no better way to celebrate someone special in your life — or yourself!
Get the recipe: Baked Alaska
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Double Dark Cocoa Blend
3) Super Easy Banoffee Pie
Banoffee pie gets its name from the happy mashup of bananas and toffee, which come together in a cookie crust for an easy-yet-impressive no-bake pie. It’s simple to assemble and can hang out in the fridge until you’re ready to light candles and sing “Happy Birthday.”
Get the recipe: Super Easy Banoffee Pie
To make this recipe, you’ll need: King Arthur Pie Pan
4) Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars
These nostalgic bars feature a generous swoosh of marshmallow frosting atop a soft and chewy cinnamon-spiced cookie, with a shower of sprinkles for a celebratory touch. They’re easy to serve and eat by hand, making them a great choice for large parties or picnics.
Get the recipe: Oatmeal Cream Pie Bars
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Supernatural Rainbow Softies Sprinkles
5) Small-Batch Birthday Cake Blondies
If you’re doing a smaller birthday celebration, make these small-batch blondies. With their colorful sprinkles and hint of almond flavor, they deliver big birthday cake vibes in a compact form. Plus, they come together in one bowl and are ready in just about 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Small-Batch Birthday Cake Blondies
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Supernatural Rainbow Softies Sprinkles and Almond Emulsion
Want to make things even easier with a mix? We have two new confetti-inspired baking mixes that are perfect birthday desserts: our Confetti Sugar Cookie Mix and Confetti Cake & Cupcake Mix (which can be made into cake pops for a more creative birthday treat!).
6) Giant Cinnamon Roll
Baked in a cast iron skillet, this maximalist recipe delivers the best of both worlds: a soft center and slightly crisp edges. Cut and serve this cinnamon roll like a slice of pie to showcase the intricate design — it's the perfect ending to a birthday brunch.
Get the recipe: Giant Cinnamon Roll
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Vietnamese Cinnamon
7) Tiramisu
This classic coffee-soaked dessert is as elegant as any birthday cake, yet simple to assemble and serve. While ladyfingers are commonly the “cake” layer of choice, we’ve found that using a sponge cake makes this recipe easier and quicker to assemble, plus it stands up better to the creamy layers and boozy soak.
Get the recipe: Tiramisu
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Espresso Powder
8) Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Cookie cakes are iconic, and with this recipe you can skip the grocery-store version and make your own. The “cake” is soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate, and the optional frosting border makes it extra impressive. Add candles and you have a party-worthy dessert. (This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by swapping in Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour.)
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Callebaut Semisweet Chocolate Chips
9) Karpatka (Polish Mountain Cake)
If the birthday person likes cream puffs, they’ll love this Polish dessert, which is basically a giant cream puff filled with a light-as-air German buttercream and bright raspberry jam. The pâte à choux layers can be made up to two days ahead of time, making assembling this dessert a breeze.
Get the recipe: Karpatka (Polish Mountain Cake)
To make this recipe, you’ll need: King Arthur Pure Vanilla Plus or King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
10) Roasted Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls
Bake a big batch of fruit-filled rolls to celebrate the next birthday in your life — not only is this a more fun, unexpected spin on a birthday dessert but it’s also easy to transport and feed a crowd. Plus any leftovers can be enjoyed the next morning to keep the party going.
Get the recipe: Roasted Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Instant Clearjel
11) Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts
Birthdays are a special occasion, and what’s more worthy of a special occasion than homemade doughnuts? A dozen freshly fried doughnuts are a great party trick and more memorable than any cake — follow our tips for frying without fear and things will go off without a hitch.
Get the recipe: Old-Fashioned Cake Doughnuts
To make this recipe, you’ll need: Golden Wheat Flour
12) Giant Strawberry Shortcake
For any summer birthdays, try this oversized shortcake, which is served as a single slab instead of individually plated desserts. It’s colorful, eye-catching, and makes a great centerpiece for an outdoor gathering.
Get the recipe: Giant Strawberry Shortcake
To make this recipe, you’ll need: King Arthur Pure Vanilla Plus or King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract
Cover photo by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova.
