The best kids’ birthday cakes in NYC

Empire Cake has been a favorite with celebs like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Hugh Jackman and includes Google and Coca-Cola in its list of clients. There’s a reason why this Chelsea bakery has received top marks: its freshly-baked treats are made using fresh butter and cream from local producers, whole vanilla beans, Belgian chocolate and seasonal fruits bought at the Union Square Greenmarket. Kids’ birthday cakes are available in 23 flavors and custom cakes can be created with edible images, flat fondant decoration or detailed sculptures in an array of imaginative themes and characters. 112 8th Ave (212-242-5858, empirecake.com). Custom orders from $69 for a 6-inch cake with an edible image.

Silk Cakes specializes in Asian-inspired cakes and give classic American desserts an Asian twist. (Think cakes with flavors such as matcha, pandan, yuzu and black sesame!) The cakes bridge Chef Judy Lai’s two cultures and are absolutely gorgeous with painted scenes on the sides of the cake and sweet and whimsical characters joining in on your tot’s celebration. 98-14 Metropolitan Ave (718-830-3838, silkcakes.com). Custom orders from $150.

This cake boutique can deliver custom cakes and create desserts tables filled with a variety of treats. You can also book a kids' cake decorating class where each child receives a 5-inch fondant-covered cake to decorate using different techniques at the beginning of the party. How awesome would it be to have a slice of your kid's creation? The company is currently based in Astoria, Queens, but will soon move to a storefront in Fort Lee, NJ where customers can place custom orders, buy baked goods or host a cake class right in the shop. Astoria, Queens (646-361-4232, chicsugars.com). Custom orders from $250. 

This midtown bakery impresses with its Latin American-inspired delights and customized cakes and cupcakes for kids’ birthdays. In fact, owner Huascar Antonio won the Food Network’s cupcake wars in 2013! Not only will they create sculpted cakes, but they can take any image and turn it into an edible work of art using edible inks on special frosting sheets. They’ll even touch up the images on Photoshop to make sure your cake turns out nearly too good to eat! 453 W 54th St (212-933-1041, hbake.com). Custom orders from $100 for a 6-inch cake with an edible image.

This home-based cake company is meticulous when it comes to the details of a custom order and can cater to kids birthdays, baby showers, bar mitzvahs and more. Cake designer Satoko Newman only does custom orders and accepts a limited amount of cakes per week so that she can devote time and attention to getting the design just right. Because she’ll book up to 3–4 weeks in advance, you’ll want to get your order in with ample time. 401 E 86th St (917-873-7745, cake.likebutterent.com). Custom orders from $200.

If your kid knows just what she wants in their next birthday cake, this Park Slope bakery invites little ones to meet with its bakers and sketch out their design. Parents can also bring in images of movie themes, favorite characters or color schemes for inspiration or turn photos into an edible part of the cake. Buttermilk offers up a menu of their own deliciousness like classic birthday, candy bar cake and rainbow cake, or you can create your own layer cake with 14 cake flavors and 19 buttercream frostings. 260 5th Ave (347-987-3941, buttermilkbakeshop.com). Custom orders from $36 for 6-inch 2-layer cake.

This old-fashioned Italian pastry shop has 72 years of experience under its belt, which means its bakers a thing or two about birthday cakes. They’ll make customized cakes for all occasions and have 20 filling flavors to choose from, including hazelnut, coffee cream, New York style cheesecake and cannoli and strawberry. 312 Knickerbocker Ave (718-381-2292, circospastryshop.com). Custom orders from $195.

Billy’s Bakery offers a variety of cake sizes, the most popular being their 8-inch cake (serves 8–16 guests). They’re able to bring your child’s dream cake to life-like a fun unicorn cake-or you could order one of bakery’s own creations. A birthday favorite is a confetti cake with colorful sprinkles baked right into the classic yellow daisy cake. Various locations (212-647-9958, billysbakerynyc.com). Custom orders from $50 for an 8-inch cake.

This Brooklyn bakery makes their pastries daily and offers a list of cake designs for busy parents who want to keep birthday desserts simple but tasty. A confetti cake with sprinkles baked into the vanilla cake mix and naked drip cakes are two of the bakery’s popular choices, but fun custom designs are also among Du Jour’s strong suits! 365 Fifth Ave (347-227-8953, dujourbakery.com). Custom orders from $80.