For his 4th birthday my son had a tractor birthday. And, because he is obsessed with Disney’s Cars, he was really looking for some tractor tipping action at his party, too.
What’s a mom to do?
Since I made him a 3-dimensional car birthday cake 2 years ago, I was pretty sure I could make him a tractor cake.
To satisfy his love of the tipping tractors, I made matching tractor cupcakes, too.
This is a fun boy’s birthday cake idea. You may also like my Darth Vader cake idea.
Tractor Cake
Start by baking your favorite cake mix in 2 9×5 loaf pans.
Let the cakes cool completely. Then put them in the freezer for 30-40 minutes. This will help them not crumble as much when you cut them in pieces.
Once you remove the cakes from the freezer, use a serrated knife to carefully cut off the top of one of the cakes. This will become the main body of the cake tractor.
Then cut off the top of the other cake and cut it in half. This will form the tractor’s cab.
To put the tractor together, use icing between the layers to “glue” them together.
Once the body is made, ice the entire cake. We chose a light green color, but you could make your tractor birthday cake any color your child likes.
For wheels, add 2 chocolate donuts on the back, using a bit of icing to hold them on.
You can use mini donuts for the front wheels, or use chocolate sandwich cookies. (This is what I did since I was buying the cookies for the cupcakes already.)
Use decorator icing to add windows to the tractor.
Then, stick a pretzel rod into the tractor as a smoke stack.
I smeared extra icing on the cake plate and crumbled a few graham crackers for “dirt.”
Tractor Cupcakes
If you plan on having kids at the party, tractor shaped cupcakes are a must! They are so much easier than having to deal with cutting up a cake for a bunch of anxious little ones.
Kids will love these tipped tractor cupcakes.
Start by using your favorite cake mix to make cupcakes.
Once the cupcakes are cool, put them in the freezer for 10 minutes. This will help with crumbling later.
When you remove the cupcakes from the freezer, slice off just a bit of one side of each cupcake. Then stand the cupcake on this cut side to give it the tipped tractor look.
Use a mini candy bar to make the front of each tractor. You could also use a wafer cookie. Just cut a small square on the opposite side that you cut before and squish the candy bar in part way.
Ice the cupcakes and candy bars.
Add chocolate sandwich cookies to make the back wheels. Mini Oreos make the smaller front wheels.
Finally, break a pretzel stick in half to form a little smoke stack for each cupcake.
And, if your little one wants the tractors to have eyes, you can add these candy eyes, or make eyes with decorator icing.
Have your own tractor fan at home?
They will love this tractor cake and coordinating tractor cupcakes.
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Kathy Radigan says
I am really impressed!! What a great cake! Your son must have been thrilled. Cars really is the boy movie isn’t it? My 14 year old and his friends still love to watch it. I bow down before you Tracy! Lol! ๐
OneMommy says
Love that your older son still watches it! ๐
Ginny Marie says
Great job, One Mommy! Both the cake and the cupcakes look great! Since my girls think Cars is “too boyish” we’ve never watched it, so I don’t understand the whole tipped tractor thing…but they look really cute!
OneMommy says
With 2 girls, I can see where you may have not seen it before. Definitely suggest getting it from the library one day –they may be surprised.
The tipped tractors are based on the idea of “cow tipping.” ๐
Mammasaurus says
That cake looks yummy – and what a great idea for the wheels!
Thanks for joining in with Monday’s Parenting Pin-It Party!
OneMommy says
Thank you! It was yummy! ๐ My son especially liked his wheels…
Thanks for the Pinterest follow; following you back!
OneMommy says
Understood! ๐
OneMommy says
My husband is the real baker around here. I can bake a box cake…and somehow, twice a year I get creative and turn them into things.
Can’t wait to hear about Dino’s party!
Mayor says
Oh goodness you are so smart. I love the idea. Can I “borrow” it for my little boy who is all John Deere? I have seen other Tractor cakes but none as cute as this. Some look like there were made to be seen and never touched. Love it!!! You cake rock!
OneMommy says
Thank you! By all means, please, make your little guy a green John Deere cake! ๐ This one was definitely one that was meant to be eaten!
Chris Carter says
Oh that is just such a cute idea!!!! I am never that creative… my girl just turned TEN and I always make a funfetti cake- that’s it. Boxed funfetti cake. I am not scoring points on my birthday cakes or cupcakes for that matter!!! Hopefully I make up for it in other ways… ๐
OneMommy says
There is nothing wrong with Funfetti cake! ๐
And I am positive you make up for it 100 times more than you will ever know.
Karen Schulz says
This is so cool, my boys would have loved it when they were smaller. Fantastic ideas you have. I am visiting from ladybug blessings
Rach says
What an amazing job! This looks great!
OneMommy says
Thanks! ๐
He loved it. And that’s all that matters.
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons says
Very cute! We would love for you to share with our Kitchen Fun & Crafty Friday link party!:) Just put it up!
OneMommy says
Thank you! And I’d love to stop in and check it out! ๐
Rachael says
What a fun cake! I’m sure he absolutely loved it! So creative!
Sara Phillips says
Those are ADORABLE!!!!!
Melinda@LookWhatMomFound...andDadtoo says
i’ve never done a shaped cake beside a super large cupcake, you have skills!
OneMommy says
Thank you — my kids love to challenge me! ๐
Jackie says
Thank you so much for the shout out OneMommy! You did a fantastic job with the cupcakes & your tractor is amazing!
OneMommy says
Thank YOU for great inspiration for cupcakes that made my son’s day! ๐
Sara says
love those cupcakes, adorable addition to the cake theme! thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday. I know, i sniff too when they start growing up too quickly!
OneMommy says
Sometimes I wish they could stay little forever. And then I realize as they grow, their independence gives me a little freedom…
Thanks for hosting!
Carrie says
That is adorable!! I love how it came out. Thank you for sharing on Sharing Saturday!!