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Meal Prep Β· A collection

Birthday parties

A birthday cake from scratch (vanilla or chocolate layers, a sheet cake for a crowd, cupcakes, and an egg-free, dairy-free cake), buttercream and simple decorating, plus pizza and party food kids love. Tell the planner how many are coming and when, and it works out how much to make, how many cakes to bake, and a countdown from two weeks out to cleanup.

🧾 Your menu

Check what you’re serving. The shopping list adds it all up for your guests: one serving of cake each, and the party food scaled to the crowd. A simple spread is checked to start.

Guests (kids and grown-ups)12
The cake, from scratch
Frosting and toppings
Pizza and party mains
Finger foods
Fruit, vegetables and dips
Drinks and frozen treats
πŸ“… Put this menu in my meal planner

The meal planner takes the whole menu in one tap: pick the party day on its calendar, then set how many are coming. From there you can print recipe cards and the list by store section.

Shopping list

The shopping list appears here once the recipes load.

Amounts round up to what stores sell. Check your pantry for spices and staples.

🎈 Party planner

Enter the day, the time and who’s coming. The amounts are planning guides from common party practice; round up if your crowd has big appetites.

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Countdown

  1. Loading the plan…

The countdown uses the dishes checked in your menu. Oven times are for one oven, latest first; bake cakes the day before so the party day is easier.

The cake, from scratch

Layer cakes for the table, a sheet cake for a crowd, cupcakes to hand out, and an egg-free, dairy-free cake that everyone can share.

Vanilla Birthday Layer CakeA tender, buttery two-layer vanilla cake, the classic birthday cake. Frost it with vanilla or chocolate buttercream.1 hr 55 min Β· serves 16 Chocolate Birthday Layer CakeA dark, moist one-bowl chocolate cake made with cocoa, oil and hot water. No mixer needed.1 hr 52 min Β· serves 16 Vanilla Sheet Cake for a CrowdOne big, flat vanilla cake for a class or a crowd. Frost it right in the pan; no stacking or leveling.1 hr 57 min Β· serves 24 Chocolate Sheet Cake with Fudge FrostingA thin, fudgy chocolate cake in a half-sheet pan, with a glossy cocoa frosting poured over while it’s warm. Feeds a crowd, ready in about an hour.1 hr 30 min Β· serves 24 Vanilla CupcakesSoft vanilla cupcakes, 24 to a batch. Easy to carry to school, easy to hand out, no slicing.1 hr 25 min Β· serves 24 Chocolate CupcakesMoist one-bowl chocolate cupcakes made with cocoa and oil. They stay soft for days.1 hr 20 min Β· serves 24 Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake (Wacky Cake)The old β€œwacky cake”: no eggs, milk or butter, mixed right in the pan, risen with baking soda and vinegar. Handy when a guest can’t have eggs or dairy.1 hr 12 min Β· serves 9 Mini CheesecakesLittle cheesecakes with a graham cracker crust baked in a muffin tin. Top them with fresh berries.2 hr 40 min Β· serves 12 Β· from our recipes

Frosting and toppings

One batch fills and frosts a two-layer cake or 24 cupcakes. A sheet cake takes about 1Β½ batches.

Vanilla ButtercreamFluffy American buttercream: butter beaten with powdered sugar, cream and vanilla. Enough to fill and frost a two-layer cake or 24 cupcakes.12 min Β· serves 16 Chocolate ButtercreamCreamy cocoa buttercream for filling and frosting a two-layer cake or 24 cupcakes.12 min Β· serves 16 Cream Cheese FrostingTangy, smooth frosting for chocolate, vanilla or carrot cake. A cake frosted with it lives in the refrigerator.10 min Β· serves 16 Hot Fudge Sauce (and a Sundae Bar)Thick, glossy chocolate sauce in 10 minutes, for an ice cream sundae bar at the party or a scoop next to the cake.13 min Β· serves 12 Whipped creamOne cup of cream, a little sugar and vanilla, whipped to soft peaks in a few minutes.5 min Β· make it from scratch Powdered sugarGranulated sugar and a spoonful of cornstarch, ground fine in a blender.5 min Β· make it from scratch

Pizza and party mains

Pizza is the classic. Kids love making their own; a grown-up runs the oven.

Make-Your-Own Mini PizzasEnglish muffin halves the guests top themselves with sauce, cheese and toppings. A party activity and lunch in one.25 min Β· serves 8 Sheet-Pan Pizza NightOne big pizza on a baking sheet, with half plain cheese and half toppings so everyone is happy.1 hr 10 min Β· serves 6 Β· from our recipes Pizza doughA one-pound ball of dough, the size sold at the store, ready in about 1Β½ hours.1 hr 30 min Β· make it from scratch Crispy Baked Chicken TendersChicken tenders coated in Parmesan panko and baked until crunchy. Everyone’s party favorite, without frying.38 min Β· serves 8 Baked Ham and Cheese Party SlidersA whole tray of soft sweet rolls filled with ham and Swiss, brushed with butter and mustard and baked until melty.35 min Β· serves 12 Classic CheeseburgersJuicy, simply seasoned burgers that cook on the grill or in a skillet in about 12 minutes.22 min Β· serves 4 Β· from our recipes Baked Macaroni and CheeseElbow macaroni in a sharp cheddar sauce, baked until bubbling under a crunchy, buttery crumb top. A Thanksgiving side in many families, especially across the South.1 hr 5 min Β· serves 12 Β· from our recipes

Finger foods

Small bites people can eat standing up. Serve on several small platters and swap in a fresh one rather than topping one up (USDA).

Party Pigs in a BlanketLittle pieces of hot dog wrapped in biscuit dough and baked golden. The snack that disappears first.30 min Β· serves 8 Pizza PinwheelsPizza dough rolled up with sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, sliced and baked. Good cold, which makes them a lunch box favorite.42 min Β· serves 6 Β· from our recipes Turkey and Cheese Pinwheel WrapsTortillas spread with cream cheese, rolled with turkey, cheese and spinach, and sliced into pinwheels.10 min Β· serves 4 Β· from our recipes Mini Corn Dog MuffinsSweet cornbread batter baked around rounds of hot dog in a mini muffin pan. All the fun of a corn dog, no frying.30 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Classic Deviled EggsHard-cooked eggs filled with a smooth, tangy yolk filling and dusted with paprika. A before-dinner nibble that disappears fast.55 min Β· serves 12 Β· from our recipes Mini Chicken Meatball BitesSmall, tender chicken meatballs with Parmesan and herbs. Pack them cold with a dip, or hot in a preheated insulated container.38 min Β· serves 6 Β· from our recipes

Fruit, vegetables and dips

Bright, fresh and kid-friendly. Keep cold dishes on ice.

Veggie Cups with Ranch DipEach guest gets a cup with ranch in the bottom and vegetable sticks standing up in it. No double-dipping, and it looks bright on the table.25 min Β· serves 12 Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt DipMelon, pineapple, strawberries and grapes on skewers with a honey-vanilla yogurt dip. Party food that disappears.30 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Watermelon Fruit PizzaThick rounds of watermelon spread with honey yogurt and topped with berries and kiwi, cut into wedges.15 min Β· serves 6 Β· from our recipes Rainbow Fruit SaladA colorful bowl of fresh fruit with a squeeze of orange.15 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Fresh GuacamoleChunky avocado dip with lime, onion, tomato, cilantro and a little jalapeΓ±o.15 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Seven-Layer Bean DipRefried beans, seasoned sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, tomatoes and green onions in layers. A party favorite.20 min Β· serves 12 Β· from our recipes Homemade Buttermilk RanchCreamy ranch from buttermilk, sour cream and mayonnaise with fresh parsley, chives and dill. A dressing and a dip.10 min Β· serves 12 Β· from our recipes

Drinks and frozen treats

Ice pops can be made days ahead.

Fresh-Squeezed Party LemonadeReal lemonade from fresh lemons and a simple syrup, a gallon pitcher for the party. Not too sweet; add more syrup to taste.20 min Β· serves 10 Berry Yogurt Ice PopsCreamy yogurt swirled with mashed raspberries and blackberries, frozen on a stick.6 hr 15 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Watermelon Lime Ice PopsBlended watermelon and lime frozen into pops. Only three ingredients and no added dye.6 hr 10 min Β· serves 8 Β· from our recipes Watermelon Agua FrescaFresh watermelon blended with water and lime, then strained. A light Mexican-style fruit drink.10 min Β· serves 6 Β· from our recipes

πŸ§‘β€πŸ³ Make it from scratch

Make the pizza dough, the cake flour and powdered sugar, butter, whipped cream, marinara and ranch from scratch. Each page scales to what your plan needs.

Pizza doughOne 1-lb ball of dough: one 14-inch round pizza or one 10 Γ— 15-inch sheet pan.Cake flour1 cup.Powdered sugarAbout 1ΒΎ cups.Whipped creamAbout 2 cups.Butter (and the buttermilk it leaves)About 7Β½ oz of butter (a little under 2 sticks) and about 1 cup of buttermilk from 1 pint of cream.Marinara and pizza sauceAbout 3 cups (a 24-oz jar holds about 2ΒΎ).Ranch dressingAbout 1ΒΌ cups.BiscuitsEight 2Β½-inch biscuits.Soft buns and dinner rolls10 hamburger buns (about 3Β½ inches across), 10 hot dog buns, or 16 dinner rolls, or a mix of shapes from one batch.

🎨 Frost and decorate, simply

How a frosted layer cake is builtA side view of a two-layer cake on a plate: the bottom layer, a layer of frosting, the top layer upside down, a thin crumb coat all over, then the final coat of frosting.final coatcrumb coattop layer,flat side upfillingbottom layer
Side view. A thin crumb coat first traps the crumbs, so the final coat stays clean.

Frost a layer cake

  1. Cool completely. Warm cake melts frosting. Trim a domed top flat with a serrated knife if you like.
  2. Anchor it. Dab frosting on the plate and set the bottom layer on it. Slide strips of parchment under the edges to keep the plate clean.
  3. Fill. Spread about ΒΎ cup of frosting over the bottom layer. Set the top layer on it upside down, so the flat bottom is on top.
  4. Crumb coat. Spread a very thin layer over the top and sides. It’s fine if crumbs show. Refrigerate 20 minutes.
  5. Final coat. Pile frosting on top and push it out to the edges and down the sides. Smooth with an offset spatula or a butter knife, or make swirls with the back of a spoon. Pull out the parchment.
A piping bag from a zip-top bagSpoon frosting into a sturdy zip-top bag, push it into one corner, twist the top and snip off a small corner. Squeeze from the top. Great for cupcake swirls, dots and writing names.
ColorGel food coloring gives bright colors with a drop or two. Start small; colors deepen as they sit.
Easy decorationsA ring of berries, a border of sprinkles pressed onto the sides, chocolate chips in the shape of the age, or a paper stencil dusted with powdered sugar or cocoa.
Let the kids decorateFrost the cupcakes and set out bowls of sprinkles and fruit. Each guest decorates one; it doubles as a party activity.
CandlesA grown-up lights the candles and stays close. Keep hair, sleeves and paper decorations back, and blow them out and take them off before cutting.
Cutting a round cakeFor thinner party slices, cut a circle about 2 inches in from the edge, slice the outer ring into 1-inch slices, then cut the inner circle into wedges.

πŸ₯š Allergy-friendly swaps

Ask families about food allergies when you send invitations, and plan at least one cake everyone can eat. Packaged foods must list the nine major allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Ingredients change, so read every label, every time (FDA). Bakery and unpackaged foods may not be labeled; ask.

Swaps for the cakes and frosting
AvoidingTry this
Eggs and milkThe egg-free, dairy-free chocolate cake has neither (it does have wheat). Doubled, it makes about 20 cupcakes.
MilkMake the chocolate cake or cupcakes with a plant milk. For frosting, use vegetable shortening or a plant-based butter stick and plant milk. Check labels: some margarines contain milk.
Wheat or glutenA cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum works in the vanilla cake and cupcakes. Use clean pans and utensils.
Peanuts and tree nutsEvery cake and frosting here is made without nuts. Check chocolate chips, sprinkles and candies for nuts or β€œmay contain” warnings, and leave pecans off the sheet cake.
SesameHummus contains sesame (tahini). Use ranch or another dip, and check bread and bun labels.

Keep the allergy-safe cake on its own plate with its own knife, and serve it first. Label dishes on the table so guests and parents can check.

🌑 Party food safety

On the table (USDA)

  • Food sits out for no more than 2 hours. After that, refrigerate it or throw it away. The planner shows the time.
  • Keep hot food at 140Β°F or warmer (a slow cooker or warming tray helps) and cold food at 40Β°F or colder (set dishes in bowls of ice).
  • Serve on several small platters. When one empties, swap in a fresh one from the kitchen rather than adding food to a platter that’s been out.

While baking (FDA)

Don’t eat or taste raw cake batter or cookie dough, and don’t let kids lick the spoon: raw flour and raw eggs can carry germs. The same goes for using raw dough as play clay.

Cooking temperatures (USDA)

  • Chicken tenders: 165Β°F.
  • Hot dogs, and leftovers reheated: 165Β°F, steaming hot.
  • Burgers: 160Β°F.

Little guests

For toddlers and preschoolers, cut hot dogs, grapes and cherry tomatoes into small pieces; whole, they are choking hazards for young children (CDC). Have kids sit down to eat.

After the party

Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, in shallow containers, and eat them within 3 to 4 days. A cake with cream cheese frosting goes in the refrigerator.

πŸ“œ Cake and candles

Children’s birthday parties with a cake and candles, called Kinderfest, were a custom in Germany by the 18th century, with a candle for each year. The custom spread to Britain and America in the 1800s, as cheaper sugar, baking powder and home ovens made frosted layer cakes possible in ordinary kitchens.

Birthday cake (Grokipedia)ButtercreamWacky cake