Dora the Explorer is an animated television series for preschoolers that airs on the Nickelodeon cable television network. Dora, the show's main character, is a bilingual seven-year-old girl who enjoys adventures with a monkey named Boots and a talking purple backpack. Dora the Explorer is a popular theme for birthdays, especially among toddler and preschool-aged children. Use these tips to make a Dora birthday cake.
Use a Cake Template to Make a Dora Birthday Cake
1Download a Dora cake template. Dora the Explorer cake templates are available online. Using the search engine of your choice, search for a cake template using the criteria "Dora the Explorer 9- by 13-inch cake template" and download your preferred template. Print the template to use as a guide for creating the Dora cake.
2Bake the cake in a greased 9- by 13-inch cake pan according to the package directions. Transfer the cake pan to a wire rack and allow it to cool for approximately 10 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack and let it cool completely.
3Shape the cake according to the template directions. Slice across the top of the cake with a serrated knife to make the cake level. Place the trimmed side down on a serving platter.
- Use the template as a guide to cut the shape of the Dora cake. Place the printed template directly on the top of the cake and cut along the edges of the template with a serrated knife.
- Use the template as a guide to mark the outlines of Dora's face and/or body. Using a toothpick, mark the outlines of the Dora pattern on the surface of the cake. The outlines will help you determine where to apply frosting colors on the cake.
4Decorate the cake according to the template. Prepare frosting and other decorations according to the template directions. Some templates require tinted frosting, while others use melted chocolate. Gather other supplies as directed on the template, such as candy-coated chocolate for eyes or fruit leather for a mouth.
- Pipe the frosting on the cake using a pastry bag with a decorator's tip or a resealable bag with a small corner snipped from the bag.
Use a Cake Pan to Make a Dora Birthday Cake
1Purchase a Dora cake pan to make a birthday cake. Several cake pan manufacturers offer cake pans in the shape of Dora the Explorer. Cake pans are available through online merchants or at cake and hobby stores.
2Prepare the cake according to the cake pan instructions. Most cake pan instructions recommend using a store-bought cake mix. Allow the cake to cool before removing the cake from the pan, and then carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate.
3Decorate the cake according to the cake pan instructions. Some cake pans recommend using homemade butter cream frosting, while others recommend store-bought frosting. Fill a pastry bag or plastic bag with the frosting and create the Dora character using the recommended decorator tips.
Use Plastic Figures to Make a Dora Birthday Cake
1Bake a cake of any size. Consider a square, rectangular or round birthday cake. The cake can be made from a store-bought mix or can be homemade. The size and shape can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like.
2Spread frosting on the cake after the cake has cooled. Make your own frosting or use canned frosting to decorate the cake. You may tint the frosting using paste food coloring or apply the frosting as prepared.
3Place Dora the Explorer figures on the top of the cake. Decorate the cake with plastic Dora figures, which are available in the toy departments of most retail stores. A benefit of using figures to decorate the cake is that the birthday girl or boy can enjoy playing with the figures long after the cake is gone.
4Add sprinkles to the cake. If desired, add colorful sprinkles like rainbow jimmies to the cake. This is a fun activity that even young children can help do.
- If you choose to tint the frosting, involve your children in the process. They will enjoy watching white frosting turn to different shades as you add food coloring to it.
- Start frosting larger areas of the cake first. For example, if Dora's face is the largest part of the cake, start by frosting the face first, and then add the hair, eyes, mouth and other features.
- To determine if the cake is ready to remove from the oven, insert a toothpick in the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
- When using a Dora-shaped cake pan, grease and flour the pan thoroughly before adding the cake mix to the pan. If the cake sticks to the pan while baking, the shape of the cake may be compromised.
Things You'll Need
- Dora the Explorer cake template
- Cake pan
- Cake mix
- Shortening, butter or cooking spray
- Serrated knife
- Pastry bag or plastic bag
- Decorator tips
- Wire cooling rack
- Serving plate
- Food coloring
- Dora figures