At first glance, you'd swear this was a plate of pasta — but it's actually cake. A hilarious centerpiece dessert guaranteed to wow at parties!
My dad always claims he doesn't want cake for his birthday — yet he mysteriously devours every slice when it's around. This year, I got creative: what if I made him a dessert that looks like his favorite dinner instead? I even mailed this recipe as a printed card using The Letter Pilot — way more fun than just texting it.
🍝 Novelty Birthday Cake Idea: Spaghetti & Meatballs
A classic chocolate birthday cake underneath, topped with buttercream "spaghetti", Ferrero Rocher "meatballs", raspberry coulis "tomato sauce", and white chocolate "parmesan".
It took about 1.5 hours from start to finish (including cooling time!) — the assembly only took 20 minutes. SO easy. Nothing like that princess castle cake that took hours!
🍅 Raspberry Coulis "Tomato" Sauce
- 300g frozen raspberries
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp water
- ~½ tsp cocoa powder
Simmer raspberries, sugar, and water until thickened (5–8 mins).
Stir in cocoa powder until it resembles tomato sauce.
Refrigerate to cool and thicken.
🍫 Mum's Classic Chocolate Cake
- 1½ cups self-raising flour
- 1½ cups caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- 140g unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a round cake tin.
Mix all ingredients in a mixer for 3 minutes.
Bake 40–45 minutes or until cooked. Cool completely.
🍝 Vanilla Buttercream "Spaghetti"
- 185g unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder
- Yellow food coloring (go easy!)
Beat butter for 5–7 mins until fluffy.
Add icing sugar and milk, beat 7 more mins.
Tint lightly yellow with a touch of cocoa and coloring.
🍫 “Meatballs” and “Parmesan”
- 8–10 Ferrero Rocher
- White chocolate, finely grated
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Assembly Guide
- Place the chocolate cake in a large round pasta bowl.
- Cover top and sides with a thin layer of buttercream.
- Pipe the rest using a small round piping tip — be random, it looks more realistic!
- Chill briefly in the freezer to set.
- Add Ferrero Rocher meatballs.
- Spoon raspberry sauce over the “meatballs” and let it drip in places.
- Sprinkle with grated white chocolate “parmesan”.
Huge thanks to Phoodie for their tips on buttercream and coulis coloring.
This cake was a hit — give it a try for your next party or prank!
Can I share this recipe with friends easily? Yes! Print and mail recipe cards via The Letter Pilot so they get a real recipe card in the mail.
Want to prank your friends with a cake that looks like dinner? Send them the recipe by mail with The Letter Pilot.
If you love quirky desserts, don't miss our Letter Pilot review on how we mail recipe cards. Want another novelty cake recipe? Check out Maple Bacon Cupcakes with a Touch of Whiskey or Earl Grey Tea Cake with Lavender Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
For more creative spaghetti cake ideas and other fun dessert recipes, browse our recipe collection.