Dinosaur Train cake; DIY or reasonably priced option?

[Anonymous]

DD is approaching her second bday and is fairly obsessed with Dinosuars. She has seen the show "Dinosaur Train" a few times with the older little girl who lives next door and loves it. I'd like to make/buy a Dinosaur Train cake for her bday; just family and neighbors, 12-15 people. I reached out to a local baker at the recommendation of a friend, who is happy to make this type of cake...for about $250. This baker does beautiful work, but $250 for a 2 yo's birthday cake just isn't our style (or in the budget :wink. Also, much of the detail of these types of cake are made from Fondant, which really doesn't taste great.

I found a Dinosaur Train cake topper on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Train-Express-Cake-Topper/dp/B004TRVOMI); am considering ordering a sheet cake and seeing if Giant or similar can recreate the background. Any other thoughts? Thanks, all.

[Anonymous]

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/train-cake/5685f320-1e5c-4ebb-b2cd-1ab73633b016

I made this cake for my son last year. Not hard at all. I'd say make it using the dinosaur train colors--lime and orange, and then put some little dinosaurs on the train. They can also be favors.

http://www.amazon.com/Vinyl-Mini-Dinosaurs-72-count/dp/B001DN8I0M/ref=pd_sim_t_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0PT2TBC4T18JEZ2YE95E

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of cupcakes. Super easy to make, easy pre-portioned. Depending on the number of party guests, you can get little toy dinosaurs to stick on top, then they can take the dinosaur toy home as a favor. Or you can print out Dinosaur Train pictures, glue them on a toothpick, and plop it in the cupcake.

[Anonymous]

You know, as un-PC as it seems to be on this board these days, lol, my local Giant has done an awesome dinosaur cake for my daughter's last two birthday parties. Awesome. Well worth the $35 or so that I spent.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for these ideas. Above poster, is Giant un-pc? If the alternative is a $250 cake I'll take Giant any day of the week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for these ideas. Above poster, is Giant un-pc? If the alternative is a $250 cake I'll take Giant any day of the week.

Not the giant poster (I'm the cupcake one) but who cares if it's un-PC! It's all about the birthday kid, don't worry about impressing the parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for these ideas. Above poster, is Giant un-pc? If the alternative is a $250 cake I'll take Giant any day of the week.

Not the giant poster (I'm the cupcake one) but who cares if it's un-PC! It's all about the birthday kid, don't worry about impressing the parents

Really? I'm looking for a dino cake and my Giant only had one really scary looking one not appropriate for toddlers. Do all Giants not have the same cake books? OP -- what did you end up doing?

[Anonymous]

Seems easy enough. Make two sheet cakes. Cut one to look like a train engine. The other leave as a rectangle for the train carriage. Four cupcakes for wheels. Then just ice it creatively and put a lot of plastic dinosaurs in the train carriage.