• The icing always completes the cake.icing on the cake image by sumos from Fotolia.com
  
  Cake icing creates a decorative finishing touch that adds texture, sweetness and an element of design to the a birthday cake. Choose icing that reflects the overall theme of the cake. White icing generally works well for all themes, and colorful icing creates a vivid cake for a child's birthday. Decorative icing accents such as edible pearls or other embellishments add to the artistic appeal of the cake.
  
  

Chocolate Icing with Edible Pearls

• Ask your bakery to bake a three-tier chocolate cake with strawberry filling. Request chocolate icing on the top with additional icing accents on the outer borders of each tier. Ask the baker to include edible white and pink pearls scattered throughout all the tiers of the cake. Some bakeries use moldable white chocolate and a glaze to make pearls, but every bakery is different so if your not sure you can always ask.
  
  

Flower Themed Icing

• Order a vanilla sheet cake with chocolate frosting and white icing edges. Ask your baker to place edible daisies within the icing on the cake to create a flower border. They can make each daisy from scratch or order the flowers to create a floral themed birthday cake. Use edible boats or other designs for a bow. This design is appropriate for a little girl or teenager. The birthday message goes on the middle of the cake.
  
  

Strawberry Icing with Real Strawberry Accents

• Order a three-tier vanilla cake with strawberry flavored frosting on the top, and white and strawberry flavored icing. Ask the bakery to cut up fresh strawberries and place these on top of each tier of the cake. You can also place a strawberry shortcake doll on top of the cake if this is for a girl. The birthday message goes on the very top of the cake.
  
  

Icing Swirl

• Order a circular chocolate cake and ask for a strawberry or raspberry icing swirl on top. The swirl starts in the center and goes outwards in a circular pattern. This is a simple cake that works well for someone who loves berry flavors and chocolate. The birthday message is left out of this cake and the candles are placed on top in between the swirls.