It was Roman’s birthday yesterday and I wanted to make him a cake but we don’t have any cake pans. I remembered seeing this article where you could use a tin can to bake a cake so I decided to try it. It was really really easy and the cakes turned out very little and sweet.

To make the cakes:

Step 1. Remove paper from the empty can and clean it. Grease and flour the inside of the can. To bake fill can a little over half full with batter. I baked these at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes but my oven is not consistent so make sure you check them by dipping in a toothpick until it comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely before removing.

Step 2.  After you remove the cakes use a bread knife and cut off the rounded top. Then cut the cakes into little layers. Be very careful to cut them flat and even.

Step 3. To frost pipe a thick line of frosting around the very edge of the cake. Then with a wet knife smooth over the frosting to make it consistent and go all the way to the edge. Gently place the next layer on top and repeat until you are finished. Pipe the top of the cake with frosting and smooth with a wet knife.

all photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day

ps: How to make that polka dot print and Roman’s birthday last year.