I recently went to a birthday party and my friend made this cake for her son!

All handmade by my crafty friend!
Talk about AH-MAZ-ING. So creative. I was asking her about it and she said it would seem that the M&Ms would have taken a long time, but they only took her about an hour!
This is what she said she did:
- Take two bunt pans and bake your desired flavor of cake – you could even make two different kinds.
- Cut the two cakes so they become the 3 shape (obviously, you can test this by cutting a little at the time).
- Flatten out the two parts where they attach (she said to put a little frosting where they attach so they stick better).
- Ice the whole cake with chocolate icing
- Pattern the M&M’s like the picture above.

Blowing out his “3” cake!

Awesome idea for a snack bag!
Such a fun and creative party! I might have to steal some of these ideas! Happy party planning!
For other party ideas:
Ella’s 3rd Pancake and Pajama Birthday Party
1st Birthday Party Ideas
Cupcake Cake Idea
Lion Birthday Party
Super Hero Birthday Party
Other bundt pan ideas:
Too Much Chocolate Cake
Popcorn Cake
Cream Cheese Monkey Bread
About Dana Patterson
I'm an energetic SAHM of two fun little girls! It's never a dull moment with kids 21 months apart. I love life and enjoy cooking, working out and just hanging with my family.
Jamie Slack
May 07, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Do you have any tips on how to make a “4”? This cake is adorable and so creative!
Enchanted Mommy
May 09, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Hi! I’ve been doing some thinking about this! I would suggest maybe using this type of cake pan: http://bit.ly/JtcKrz. Use one full length for the right (long) side of the cake and then bake another for the other two parts. Sometimes it’s easier to cut the cake perfect for the left side of the four if it is cold; you can get a smoother edge. Icing keeps it together well, so make sure you put enough to keep it together! Try it and send us a picture! We’ll post it!!
telilsa
Aug 07, 2012 at 10:29 pm
Can you tell me what size bunt pan?
jblackbehr
Aug 20, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Try this site for different numbers http://www.thatslife.com.au/Article/Food/Darlenes-Tips/Its-a-piece-of-cake2#
Goose
May 11, 2012 at 7:38 pm
What an awesome cake!!
Since someone else asked…how about making a 2?? 🙂 Thanks!
Dana Patterson
Jun 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Hmmmm….. That’s a tough one! I was researching and couldn’t even find a 2 pan. Maybe wait til your sweet one is 3?!?!
Rachel
Jul 05, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Instead of 2 bundt pans use one bundt and one loaf pan, with the loaf as the bottom of the two. The 1/4 part you cut out of the bundt you turn so it curves from the circle to the line. Hope that makes sense!
becca
Jan 11, 2013 at 10:30 pm
maybe a bunt and a couple of loaf pans could make a 2?
Danika
May 21, 2012 at 3:55 pm
It is a beautiful cake. Do you have any details on what kind of chocolate icing?
Dana Patterson
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:01 am
I’m not exactly sure, but I would think any store bought chocolate frosting would work!
Judy L
Jul 09, 2012 at 3:20 am
Can you ask your friend about the icing? I think store bought icing will make the m&m’s slide off. Thanks!
arielle
Aug 02, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Can you help with making an “8”?
Vanessa
Mar 07, 2013 at 11:00 am
Just make 2 number 3 cakes and stick them together for an 8 😉
Candace
May 23, 2012 at 3:00 am
Love this idea!! I’m going to try this idea, how many pounds of m&ms did you use?
Dana Patterson
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:00 am
I asked my friend and she said she just bought a large bag from the store! I actually went shopping this weekend at Wegmans and I saw that they had individual colors, would be cool for a theme!
Kim
May 27, 2012 at 9:58 pm
Genius idea! Looks adorable!
hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!
Julie B
Jun 02, 2012 at 2:10 pm
I did something similar for my son’s 8th birthday last year and did his name out of M&M’s on the second tier of a 3 layer cake. Just a suggestion, make sure to not put the cake in the refrigerator, it will discolor the M&M’s :(. Here is a link to his birthday party: http://juliebgreen.blogspot.com/2011/04/ethans-8th-birthday.html I LOVE the three, I think I might have to do this for my littlest man next year!
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Erin @ Making Memories
Jun 05, 2012 at 11:28 pm
This is so totally cool! LOVE it!
Deban
Jun 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Is it better to use a flat bundt cake pan or one with ridges? How many lbs of M&Ms did you use? Thanks!!!
Dana Patterson
Jun 12, 2012 at 2:01 am
Definitely one with the ridges!
Deban
Jun 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm
Is it better to use a flat bundt cake pan or one with ridges? Thanks!!!
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kim smith
Jun 20, 2012 at 3:18 am
love this cake! Any suggestions on making a 5? thanks
Dana Patterson
Jun 25, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Boo… I don’t! Maybe just cutting it out of a sheet cake?
becca
Jan 11, 2013 at 10:32 pm
bundt at the bottom and 2 loaf pans for the straight lines (i havent tried this, but it makes sense to me)
Jessica C.
Jun 22, 2012 at 4:31 pm
I’m looking to do something very similar but making a 2, instead of a 3. Any ideas?
Emily
Jun 25, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Was a regular fluted bundt pan used or was it smooth? Were the ridges just filled with frosting?
Dana Patterson
Jun 25, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Regular bundt pan! I would just fill in and let the M&M’s disguise!
Jackie
Jun 27, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Made a cake something on a smaller scale. I made 2 round cakes and cut a 3 out of one and placed it on top of the other. It was a hit!
Enchanted Mommy
Jul 04, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Please oh please send us a picture! I will do a post!! Thanks!
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Jessica McElwain
Jul 04, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Wow! Perfect for summer. Wasn’t sure about baking a cake in this heat. Now I can totally use my new Tupperware bundt pan and microwave the cake!
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Hekimim
Jul 25, 2012 at 4:44 am
wooow nice idea perfect…
Karen
Jul 26, 2012 at 1:21 am
this looks awesome! do you have any idea if your friend used regular or small sized bundt pan?
thanks!!
Dana Patterson
Jul 26, 2012 at 1:32 am
Regular bundt pan!
Bronwyn
Jul 27, 2012 at 5:15 pm
This is the cutest cake! I was planning on making one for my son’s 3rd birthday. Do you happen to know how many hours before you plan to serve the cake the m&m’s can be on before they start drawing moisture from the icing and “bleeding”? I would love to be able to have the cake done the day before my son’s party, but I didn’t know if that would be too soon with the m&ms.
Thanks for sharing this great cake!
Lauren
Jul 30, 2012 at 5:07 pm
This is SO great! My daughter is turning 3 in September and we’re doing Repunzel “Tangled” theme so I will definitely do this and use pastel pink and purple M&Ms!!! Thank goodness they make all the colors of the rainbow and in between!!! I cant wait! definitely goin to do a test run a week or two before though 😉
RavieNomNoms
Aug 06, 2012 at 4:53 pm
That is so creative! I am sure it was loved by all!
tammy
Aug 13, 2012 at 7:09 pm
I just wanted to say thanks to you and your friend for an awesome cake! My husband and I made this last Saturday for our son’s 3rd birthday. It received rave reviews for appearance and taste.
lauren
Aug 14, 2012 at 2:19 am
any ideas on how to make a 1?
Lisa
Aug 15, 2012 at 4:55 am
Where did you cut the 2 cakes at? And how much frosting did you need?
also-
IT IS AMAZING!!
Jamie Hinckley
Aug 15, 2012 at 2:06 pm
I needed one and half tubs of frosting and just used the store bought betty crocker frosting. I should have taken a picture of where you cut, but basically you cut 1/4 of the cake out. Lets use the clock analogy… cut the top cake horizontally at 9 o’clock and then cut vertically at 7 o’clock. On the bottom cake it is horizontally at 9 o’clock and vertically at 11 o’clock. Then look at the parts of the cake that will be touching (the 7 o’clock of the top cake and the 11 o’clock of the bottom cake) and slim those down but cutting away half of each cakes thickness horizontally. Then stick the cakes together and you are ready to frost.
clmosher
Aug 15, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Where is the pintrest pin for this?!? I MUST PIN THIS!
clmosher
Aug 15, 2012 at 9:22 pm
LOL, just found it. duh
Deanna
Aug 16, 2012 at 3:09 pm
What kind of cake did you use? Was it a bundt cake recipe or did you use a box mix?
Jamie Hinckley
Aug 30, 2012 at 12:31 am
Just a box mix, but I am sure any kind would work.
Heather
Aug 25, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Did you ever find out what type of cake mix and icing she used for this cake? My son will be 3 in 2 months and I would love to do this for his birthday. Thanks alot!!!
Jamie Hinckley
Aug 30, 2012 at 12:32 am
I made this a couple weeks ago and used a Duncan cake mix from the box and regular better crocker frosting. It worked great.
Wendy
Nov 13, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I made this with a chocolate boxed cake, a funfetti boxed cake and store bought frosting. worked great! I am doing it again in a couple weeks and will be doing the same. Great way to serve multiple kinds of cake!
Heather
Aug 26, 2012 at 2:37 am
Also what did she do for the invitation? I have made all of the birthday invitations for both of my boys and I was wondering what her invitations said or wat they looked like. Again, thank you.
Lauren
Aug 26, 2012 at 6:11 am
Just finished making this. Used about 1.5 cans of frosting and 22oz of M&Ms. Had no problem with the assortment in the multicolor packages. BTW- my daughter requested pink frosting, but I think the chocolate looks better!
Jamie Hinckley
Aug 30, 2012 at 12:30 am
White frosting looks good too. I just made this a couple weeks ago and used white.
Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama
Aug 26, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Such an adorable cake!! Love it!
I featured your cake on my blog today, come check it out! 🙂
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2012/08/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-birthday.html
Marsha
Sep 09, 2012 at 8:54 pm
How did you get the Ms not to show on the M&Ms?
Jamie Hinckley
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:37 am
Place the M&M’s on the cake with the M facing down. The M is only on one side of the M&M.
Kristin
Sep 28, 2012 at 5:23 pm
I wondered if you had any trouble with them sliding off or “bleeding” the color. I want to make it the night before. Did you refrigerate the cake? thanks!
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Danielle Woods
Sep 30, 2012 at 1:15 pm
This cake was super easy to make and so yummy, I have included a URL to my facebook so y’all can see the photo of the cake I did for my nephews “car” themed birthday. I highly recomend this cake. https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/563944_471584502863376_1352201627_n.jpg
Dana Patterson
Sep 30, 2012 at 7:37 pm
Thanks for sending the pic! I am overwhelmed with how many people are in love with the cake! Such a cute additive with the cars around it.
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Mandy Bodily
Nov 06, 2012 at 2:39 am
I am doing this but 2 of them cause my BFF is turning 33. So far I am having a blast with this cake. I will post a URL when I get it all done. I am so excited!
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Debbe
Nov 19, 2012 at 12:50 am
just made this last weekend! not too hard! took about an hour and 15 mins to place all the m&m’s. it looked amazing!
Jamie Hinckley
Nov 22, 2012 at 10:57 am
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Debbe
Nov 19, 2012 at 12:53 am
here is a pic
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151262613739834&set=a.10151261427774834.491425.600214833&type=3&theater
Ariana
Dec 06, 2012 at 11:57 am
I wish it wasn’t private so I could see your picture!
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karli
Nov 30, 2012 at 10:22 pm
https://www.facebook.com/karlimae.williams#!/photo.php?fbid=10151187071893358&set=pb.511783357.-2207520000.1354328480&type=3&theater made the 2 :] thanks for the idea
Ariana
Dec 12, 2012 at 5:16 pm
We had a Wiggle’s pary for my son’s third birthday and I thought this would be perfect with the Wiggle’s colors.
Here’s my cake:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100373555758633&set=pb.57205004.-2207520000.1355346784&type=3&theater
And just to reiterate what another poster said, do not put the cake in the fridge! I made that mistake and my m&ms did fade a bit.
Sonya Koyle
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:46 pm
do you have any idea how many bags of M&Ms she used? or about how many oz’s
Jamie Hinckley
Apr 06, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I used one of the extra large bags (the one that has a ziplock seal on it) and I had plenty and lots left over when I made it.
Jeny Barber
Dec 13, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Im doing tie dye bundt cakes and neon colors for my son’s Scooby birthday this weekend. I wish there were better pictures of the M&M placement. Especially on the ends. Fingers crossed
Jill
Dec 22, 2012 at 5:18 am
What a fun cake! My little boy is 3 next year and this would make a fantastic cake for him! Thank you for sharing, everyone will be so impressed!
Koodak
Jan 02, 2013 at 10:42 pm
That’s adorable!
I really enjoyed your wonderful website
Do you allow me to translate this article to persian and put it in my site?
Thanks
Jamie Hinckley
Apr 06, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Yes that is fine as long as you link back to our site. Thanks.
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Debbie
Jan 28, 2013 at 10:38 am
When I saw this cake, I knew I had to attempt it for my daughter’s 3rd birthday! We did Mickey Mouse theme so I used red, yellow, white and black and I made one cake chocolate with vanilla icing and one yellow cake with chocolate icing. The chocolate icing looked WAY better, but overall – I was pretty excited that I pulled it off! Thanks so much for sharing this idea!
Alexis
Jan 29, 2013 at 10:51 am
I too did this for a Mickey themed party this past weekend everybody loved, but most importantly my # year did. M&M’s are his FAV!! Thanks for the directions..super easy!
Alexis
Jan 29, 2013 at 10:52 am
I too did this for a Mickey themed party this past weekend everybody loved it, but most importantly my 3 year old did. M&M’s are his FAV!! Thanks for the directions..super easy!
Anne@Have a Cookie!
Jan 30, 2013 at 7:06 pm
This is AWESOME!!!
Erica
Feb 03, 2013 at 12:37 am
I just made a train version of this cake! It turned out great thanks for the idea!
Jamie Hinckley
Feb 05, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Hey Erica – Send us a picture or post it on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/enchantedmommy
Rhonda
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:04 am
I made this yesterday for my son’s 8th birthday. Turned out great! Not too difficult. It took 2 of us less than an hour to place all the M&M’s. I did one chocolate and one yellow cake so the kids could choose. I just used boxed cake and store bought frosting. Our only difficulty was the icing started to dry before we got done so the last several rows of M&M’s didn’t want to stick. We had to wiggle them in a little.
Thanks for a great idea!!!
Rhonda
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:04 am
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10200511991193132&set=a.1058024021684.10731.1558383237&type=1&theater
Rhonda
Feb 11, 2013 at 11:11 am
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200511991193132&l=e57b77ba47
Jamie Hinckley
Apr 06, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Awesome! It looks great!
Em
Feb 18, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Made this cake for my daughter on Saturday (got pink, red and white m&m’s – valentine’s day – and used white frosting. The result was awesome!) and just wanted to address the question of how many M&M’s to use: Bought 2 bags, 12.75 oz each. after I’d separated all the colors and started putting them on the cake I panicked b/c I was afraid I was going to run out and didn’t have time to go back to the store. So I spaced them out – bad idea. I was left with almost a whole bag (almost – so I can’t return one). So, two bags M&M’s, you’ll have plenty and squish ’em together like it is in the picture.
Thanks for the awesome idea! It was a hit at her party and so pretty!
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Feb 21, 2013 at 5:30 pm
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Apr 17, 2013 at 4:20 pm
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shar
Jun 07, 2013 at 1:11 am
this is an awesome idea I am gonna do this for my daughters golden 3rd birthday she was born on July 3rd I am so excited to do this cake! thanks for the grate ideas as well
Me
Jun 28, 2013 at 9:41 pm
What a cute cake!! Can’t wait to try an “A” for the party tonight! xx
Joannah
Jul 03, 2013 at 10:24 am
I’m also making a “4” cake for my niece’s birthday, and I ended up ordering a number 4 cake mold from wayfair.com. I’ll let you know how it turns out 🙂
Jamie Hinckley
Jul 13, 2013 at 6:55 pm
That is great! How did it turn out?
Marcette Fabri
Jul 19, 2013 at 11:03 am
Can I use Betty Crocker butter cream icing instead of frosting?
Jamie Hinckley
Jul 23, 2013 at 9:41 pm
Yes you can. 🙂
Jenn D.
Aug 05, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Any idea how many this cake will feed? I know it depends on the size of the slices, but just a general idea.
Thanks!
Jamie Hinckley
Aug 15, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Supposedly a regularly bundt cake serves 12 to 16, so this cake is 2 bundt cakes put together with a some space cut off. I would guess around 20.
KayleneP
Aug 11, 2013 at 2:02 am
What a wonderful cake, I love the effect with the M & M’s. They would look great whatever shape the cake was!
Auburn
Aug 20, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Any idea of how many bags of M&Ms this took?
Akvaryum
Sep 05, 2013 at 10:40 am
What a fun cake! My little boy is 3 next year and this would make a fantastic cake for him! Thank you for sharing, everyone will be so impressed!
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Nimisha Narad
Oct 21, 2013 at 6:46 am
Thank you so much for sharing this photograph. … I made this for my daughter’s 3rd birthday party yesterday. … :-). .. and everybody absolutely loved it! 😀
Thank you once again!
Pat
Nov 01, 2013 at 11:02 am
Soooo cute! I’m trying an 8 for my granddaughters bday!:)
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Sneha
Feb 17, 2014 at 4:32 pm
I am so glad, i landed on this page. I bet i could have never been so creative like your friend, ever!! I was searching for ideas in making a cake for my 3 year old and finally got the this one. I made this cake with 2 9″ round pans and i cut the 3 shape out of it and layered the chocolate cake with chocolate icing and decorated with gems. And it just turned very well but not so perfect. Everyone loved it and i got lot of compliments. Thank you very much!!
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Jody
May 21, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Loooove this!!! I’m going to attempt to make it for this Saturday. My baby girl turns 3! So glad I found this
Nicole
May 22, 2014 at 4:49 pm
I am going to make this for my daughter’s 3rd birthday and I’m doing it for a FROZEN birthday. I have 3 colors to use. I’ll post pictures when I make it. I have one question to you thou, how many do you think that this fed? I have about 30 people showing up and was thinking about doing a dozen cupcakes on the side. Over kill or good idea?
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BB
Aug 25, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Nice!! I want to make this for my 3 year old in September!! Should I make this cake the day before the party? Or the day of? If the day before, should I put in in the fridge overnight?
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www.behance.net
Jan 23, 2015 at 12:27 am
I was more than happy to discover this website. I want to to thank you for your time just for this wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new information in your blog.
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gimly
Mar 22, 2015 at 4:30 pm
This number 3 cake i found was a hit!! I’m a first time cake maker and it was the star of the food section of my 3 year old son’s party. I did top half chocolate and bottom half vanilla. Everyone was happy!!
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lynne
May 25, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I made this for an eight year old’ s birthday party. It was fun making it brought a lot of joy to the party!
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Bola
Jun 04, 2015 at 12:59 pm
So glad I found this! it’s loooovely!! my husband and I will definitely make it on Tuesday for our baby boy…yippieee! so so colourful I’m so excited..I feel it’s my birthday cake:)
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