<p>I am not a baker. I am trying to decide if my D really needs a cake on her birthday. We will be in a location where we will not be able to buy one or bake one. We also will not be traveling the whole distance by car so space is also a concern.
Any ideas?</p>
<p>I think it depends on your D & how old.
FOr my daughters 19th birthday, she was in India. I wasn’t able to be there to get her a cake & the family she was staying with didn’t speak English, but I did send her some candles.
Candles are the important part I think.</p>
<p>Exactly my thought about the candles. You can stick a candle into anything and it becomes a birthday “cake.”</p>
<p>A cupcake works. To be honest, a packaged muffin opened, with a candle can go along way. Brownies with candles. A big cookie with a candle. Again, one of those big cookies they sell in individual packages–they are soft and good and you can sink a candle into it. Balloons work. Buy a package with Happy Birthday and blow them up on site. You can use some stiff sicks to attach them to so even without helium, a few together with some ribbon works. You can buy some balloon sticks at a local party store. Even local grocery stores that sell balloons often sell the sticks, and packages of balloons.</p>
<p>If you’re really going to be away from civilization for an extended length of time, remember that twinkies last forever.</p>
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<p>At first I thought you might be traveling to Africa or something…then I read that the trip was by car. Will there be a restaurant on your travels? Most serve cake or pie by the slice. </p>
<p>If it’s really impossible, plan to celebrate the birthday with cake (if your D really is a “cake” person) when you get to where you CAN get a piece.</p>
<p>I agree…bring your own candles.</p>
<p>I don’t think I would ever want to travel to somewhere so uncivilized that there’s no CAKE!</p>
<p>My DD is turning 16 in a few days and wants a pie for her birthday dessert. Go figure. I guess it really is the candles!</p>
<p>Even a candle in a scoop of ice cream (esp with sprinkles) works. Travel with candles and sprinkles!</p>
<p>S2 has had apple pie for his birthday cake going on 6 years now. It was always a big hit at the birthday parties. I usually managed to decorate them too. The first one was Tatouine with Star Wars figures on it.</p>
<p>When my son was younger we put candles in a plate of hamburger stroganoff (his favorite, and choice for a birthday dinner).</p>
<p>Note to self, birthday candles placed in hot substances melt and fall over.</p>
<p>Just buy her an expensive gift. For me it would be better than a cake. Cake only adds calories.</p>
<p>We are going the first 2 hours by car, the next hour by ferry (without car). The next 30 minutes possibly in a dinghy. We will be on a boat after that. We are going to be anchored in a bay that has no amenities. Whatever I do I have to take it with me. Package muffin with a candle might work. A friend suggested baking a box mix cake, freezing it and bringing a can of frosting. Don’t know if I am up for that. Has anyone done this? If I took it out of the freezer before I left home it would be thawed by the time we got there. Don’t know what condition it would be in just wrapped in foil. I am trying to travel as light as possible so I don’t want to carry a box. Or maybe I can bake and freeze cupcakes?</p>
<p>Brownies travel well and take up little space. Look for prepackaged brownies. Little Debbie type brownies. Or little Debbie snack cakes. Or individual pound cakes. They also travel well Take a few with a pack of candles and a package of balloons. In tight quarters, ten blown up balloons go along way.</p>
<p>The cake will defrost and could end up a mess.</p>
<p>I’ve baked cake in a 13"x9" pan and mailed it, still in the pan, in a priority mail Post Office-provided box, and put a can of frosting in the box, too, along with a plastic knife. The recipient was thrilled and was eating cake while he walked home from the post office. 
Is it possible to send it ahead? </p>
<p>If not, I’d go with Twinkies or a box of Hostess cupcakes! Presents, expensive or otherwise, are no substitute for cake!</p>
<p>Pound cake, and any variation on pound cake (pineapple macadamia, yum!) will last for a week or more. You can bring a can of frosting to put on top, but it will be good without it, too.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the different ideas. I never thought about pound cake or even Hostess Cupcakes (I had an addiction to these in high school). Pound cake with chocolate frosting would be good. I could also bring some sprinkles and candles.</p>