Q: I'm hoping The Kitchn's talented readership can help me! My boss is British, born and raised, and although she's been in the States for more than half her life she understandably misses many of the things she grew up with that don't exist here.

Her birthday is coming up and I would love to make her favorite dessert, date and walnut cake. I had never heard of it before meeting her and I have no idea where to begin with recipes. I searched google.co.uk but there are predictably thousands and I would prefer one that can come personally recommended. Can you help a poor Yank out?

Sent by Jessica More

Birthdays come and go each year and how you celebrate is entirely up to you. One thing I can count on as I age (gracefully, I hope) is that I'll be making an outrageous, over–the–top, in–your–face type of cake. This year's flavor was a personal best (Double Chocolate Sour Cream) and I have no regrets. Why do I take on this unconventional task? Read on to find out and to get this delicious, decadent recipe. More

Q: I'm hosting a birthday party for a co-worker who is gluten-free and sugar-free and I have no idea what to make. The only thing I've come up with so far is a cake-shaped meatloaf with mashed potato frosting!

Sent by Britt More

Here's a super cute idea for your holiday (or birthday) decorations: A pie banner — made with alphabet soup pasta! It doesn't stop there; read on to see the placecards. More

So, we've thrown a lot of soup recipes and ideas at you this week. What are you going to do with them all? Here's one idea: A soup party and cook-off! Reader Barb sent us this cute party that she threw last winter with some friends. And it wasn't just a party — it was a friendly contest, too! Read on for all the details and more photos. More

Souper Birthday Greeting Card from Letterform

• $4
• Letterform

What's better than birthday soup? Show someone you care with a SOUPER birthday wish, a soup recipe, and a handcrafted letterpress card. The orange envelope adds just the right touch.

100% recycled paper. Final folded size of 5.5" by 4.25". More

I have this thing about kids and sugar. I don't think they make such a great combination and I grip to this conviction, hard. When she was much younger, I used to tell my daughter that she could have sweets when she was five. Five seemed like a safe and far-away target, but as it approached, I knew I had to keep my promise.

So last weekend, as we said goodbye to four and hello to five, I let go of my no-sugar rule and made her what she really wanted: a sugary sweet birthday cake complete with edible pink glitter.

It was a transformational moment for us both.

More

This might come as a bit of a shock, but not all of us like cake. Yes, we're total weirdos! But this doesn't mean that we don't like a special treat on our special day. Here are some fabulous desserts that we think are worthy of birthdays or any celebration. More

For most of us, nothing announces a birthday quite like a huge frosted cake crowned with flickering candles. But what signals the start of celebration in China? Or Mexico? Or even Russia? More

It was that time of year again. We have a small friend whose birthday comes around right before New Year's, and we have a standing commitment to create his birthday cake. This occasion is always an opportunity to toss out modest tastes in favor of more child-appealing straight-up sweet sugar and ambitious ideas. Last year it was a medieval castle cake, complete with knight, torches and a sprayed-on moat.

This year, however, called for something slightly more grown-up... More