It's Birthday Week at The Kitchn, and if it's your birthday, you're in luck — it's all birthday cake today! We're swinging in with our favorite birthday cakes and cupcakes — sweet, pretty, and candle-ready. We have fudgy chocolate cakelets, and a Funfetti cake (from scratch!). There's strawberry milk cake, and a hot pink raspberry cake too. We have the perfect fluffy yellow butter cake, ready for your fudge frosting, an orange vegan cake, and deliciously light and fluffy gluten-free cupcakes. Read on for these and more — our favorite birthday treats from the archives. More

It's Birthday Week at The Kitchn, and along with the cakes and parties we want to offer a few ideas on practical and fun birthday gift ideas for cooks and food-lovers. Here are a few smart, delicious basics that all come in under $10 — from a colorful potholder (everyone always needs more potholders, right?) to a gingham knife and great salt and chocolate. Read on to see our picks, and add your own too! More

Consider this cake decorating for dummies—foolproof ways to make a layer cake look super impressive without a lot of fancy tools. Two even use store-bought candy. More

Q: My boyfriend's birthday is quickly approaching and I'm stumped on cake or dessert celebratory birthday recipes. He isn't much of one for sweets but I'd still like to bake some sort of dessert to accompany his birthday dinner. Any suggestions for a baked good that isn't overly sweet yet also appropriate for a birthday party?

Sent by Helena More

Q: I am baking a birthday cake for a party this Saturday and need a fail-proof frosting recipe that I can decorate with, but that will still taste good. I'd prefer to avoid raw eggs, shortening, or cooking it.

Sent by Victoria More

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