Baker’s Coconut Cut-Up Cakes
Baker’s Coconut Animal Cut-Up Cakes
I’ve had this up on my photo pages for a while, and it’s perfect for Junkyard Clubhouse. This Animal Cut-Up Cakes booklet, put out by Baker’s Coconut in 1959, has full-color photos and instructions to make about a dozen different animal-shaped cakes by cutting up standard size round and rectangular cakes — and then encrusting them with unnaturally tinted Baker’s Coconut, of course. That’s Dandy-Lion pictured there on the cover, I had him for my fifth birthday. My brother had Fanny the Fish for one of his early birthdays.
My grandmother probably ordered away for it, it wound up with my mother, and I’ve had it with me since I moved out of the house. Aside from my sentimental attachment to it, I also think it’s beautifully designed and photographed, and it is just so 1959 (right down to the illustrations of a housewife baking in a dress and high heels). I have the whole thing scanned and up at Humuhumu’s Life in Photos, where you can see Tortie the Turtle, Ella Elephant, Quack-Quack the Duck, and all their coconutty friends.
This booklet inspired me to create a cut-up cake of my own design, a hula girl — you’ll find directions for her there, too.
UPDATE: Looking for Easter Bunny Cut-Up Cakes? I’ve got some here: Baker’s Coconut Easter Bunny Cut-Up Cake
Fanny the Fish Cut-Up Cake
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this. I too grew up with this book, and the picture of Dandy-Lion is ingrained in my psyche. I was just searching for a cake to make for a silly Pisces birthday party, and was remembering the book… What a treat to find the whole thing! The internet is truly a wonderful place.
Cheers, donna
posted on March 16th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I still have this same book from my mom. I LOVE it! I can’t wait to make one for my girls! I loved the fish cake and the rocking horse.
posted on March 18th, 2007 at 10:17 am
My pleasure, it makes me so happy to hear from other people who remember this booklet. I used to daydream about eating Dandy-Lion’s legs. Mmmmmm, licorice!
posted on March 19th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I grew up with these as well-every birthday is a different cake, rocketships for my brothers, I had the fish a couple of times—my mother has recently misplaced the books she had and my daughter’s birthday is this weekend-I had planned to make the butterfly–HELP ME PLEASE!!!!! The cake in Family Fun just doesn’t cut it!!! : )
posted on March 21st, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Here’s the instructions for the butterfly cake, Amy:
Butterfly Cut-Up Cake
Hope that helps!
posted on March 21st, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Thanks for the quick response-had I not been so excited to find them-I could have read your page and found the link.
Did you know there are 2 of these books with different cut outs??? We had both and now can’t find them.
Thanks again, my daughter will have her butterfly birthday cake after all!!!!
posted on March 21st, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Yeah, I found a bigger, later (1970s) book from Baker Coconut at an estate sale in Pasadena a few years ago; I still have it kicking around here somewhere. It’s got a lot more cakes in it, but the graphics just aren’t as cool, and the binding is less scanner-friendly. Someday I may scan in some of it.
Happy birthday to your daughter!
posted on March 21st, 2007 at 5:12 pm
DOES ANYONE HAVE THE FULL (BODY, HEAD,PAWS, ETC) OF EASTER BUNNY CUT UP CAKE??THANKS
posted on April 6th, 2007 at 4:29 am
I have a page with the bunny , but I think it’s an ad cut from a magazine, not a page that tells how to make it. Would you like a copy of it anyway?
jane
posted on April 7th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Jane, if you want, you can email me a scan of your ad, and I can post it here for people to see. My email is hello@humuhumu.com . I haven’t come across my other Cut-Up Cakes book yet, I may try to look for it today, in case it has a full-body bunny in it.
posted on April 7th, 2007 at 11:48 am
[…] book is from 1973, and it isn’t nearly as cool as my 1959 booklet of Cut-Up Cakes, from a design point of view — but it has more cakes in it, including this great, full body […]
posted on April 7th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Okay, I found my other book of Cut-Up Cakes, and it has two Easter Bunny cakes, including a full-body one. I’ve posted it here. Hope that helps you out, Marie!
posted on April 7th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
help, My mother lost her little book, I need to find another one,
posted on April 9th, 2007 at 5:03 am
I was so psyched to find the copy of this cake book. I was just asking my MIL if she had seen this before (she’s 70). My daughter wanted a butterfly cake for her birthday and I knew exactly what I wanted to make her….except mine was pink colored coconut when I was 8! Love it!
Love your website. Reminds me of the book I found once called “Do you Remember?”. Google it…it’s on amazon. It’s a great coffee table book of old toys, etc. Very funny. By the way…where is that book…
posted on April 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Glad you like the site, and glad you found the booklet! Thanks for the tip on that book, I’ll keep an eye out for it.
posted on April 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I loved the photos from the 1959 Bakers Coconut Cutup book, would you be willing to do the same with your 1973 book as well? I am looking for the lion in that I think is in that particular book. My mother had both books at one point and can’t find either.
Thank you,
Karen
posted on April 22nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
I’ve been looking for these cakes forever and just yesterday found a women who has the booklet! She also gave me a web site and well, here we are. I’d love to have the booklet as my Grandma made Ella Elephant for me years ago. So glad to see there are others who have enjoyed these cakes and have such found memories!
posted on April 24th, 2007 at 8:19 am
I too lost my book from 1959 and tried a few years ago on the internet
to find another copy. Since then I found someone who had a copy and
I was fortunate to be able to scan it. I made many of the cakes and
donated them to school and church raffles, they were always a big hit.l
Tomorrrow is one of my children’s birthday and I am making either the
fish or lion as I had done many, many years ago. My daughter had a
Better Homes & Garden Junior Cookbook with a beautiful castle cake in
it which I also made for one of my children. During one of our many
moves it too was lost. I sure would like to find a copy of that so I
could make it for one of my grandchildren.
posted on April 30th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
This is absolutely amazing and had to write, something I never do! Parents just celebrated their 50th and each child had to talk about a fond memory. My twin sister, we just turned forty 1 week ago talked about how she loved her
Lion cake growing up. My mom is having lunch with her this week and was I suggested to her
to make it. So hence went searching and found this site. Have the newer book in Candada from the
1990’s but it nowhere near as nice as the original and we are all trying to find out who
has the original.
posted on May 6th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Is it possible to buy the Baker’s coconut cut-up cake book?
posted on June 6th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Is it possible to buy this book or at least get a copy? I had one when my children were little and can’t find it. Now I have a granddaughter and would like to make cakes for her so I hope this a possibility. Thank you so much for your prompt response. Linda
posted on June 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am
I too am looking to buy this book or get a copy. My Granddaughter is turning 2 and I would love to make the butterfly cake for her. My mom make one when I was little and I will never forget the work she put into that cake. Memories aren’t they wonderful? If anyone knows how to get a copy let me know.
Julie
posted on July 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so much for posting these pages! I’ve been searching for this booklet for the last 20 years. My family has many fond memories of past birthdays, and all the excitement surrounding which birthday cake we’d choose from the booklet. Those memories will last a lifetime, and seeing these pages again has flooded me with happiness.
posted on July 7th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
WOW what a blast going down memory lane. When I first married, my aunt gave me this book. I made the Easter duck every year. Made most of the animals for my kids. Now I think I will bake some for my granddaughter. Thanks for sharing, I truly appreciate it.
posted on July 29th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Hey, I have been trying to find a special cake to make for my grandson’s first B-day.I am definitely checking out your site for a good idea. My sisters and I grew up making those cut-up cakes. I would love to get copies of 1959 book. Know where I could find it? It would be great presents for my sisters for Christmas.
posted on August 5th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Hi,
I too am searching for a copy of this book…was so glad to find your website.
(My Mom lost hers as well) Check onE-Bay, sometimes one of these will come up
for auction. There are similiar booklets from the 1960s, one has bunny on cover;
but the 1959 booklet,(w/ Lion on cover)always recives the highest bids. I’ve seen
it go for as much as $70….no kidding! I guess we all have fond memories of those
simpler times & nostalgia always sells.
P.S. If you can find a listing (on E-Bay) that has miscellaneous cook books
combined for one auction, sometimes it has the 1959 Baker’s Coconut in it…good luck!
posted on August 5th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Hey Guys,
I just found another link that has additional cut up cakes posted. I’ve pasted it below.
Thanks http://www.recipelink.com/msgid/0217187
posted on August 5th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Hi There
I too had a copy of this book when I was 10. I have been a baker for Safeway for 33 years and longed to have that book again. Glad to find your web page. I spend a week every October teaching cake decorating in a opahanage in Mexico. Will have fun this year showing the ladies how to make cut up cakes with just a few simple pans
Thanks for putting this on the web.
posted on September 13th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
CAN I PURCHASE A BAKERS CUP-UP BOOK?
posted on September 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Hi - I have a paper “recipe” for a daisy cut up cake from Baker’s Coconut. Something that my mom kept from the package from the 1970’s.
I make it 4 years ago for a birthday and want to do it again TONIGHT.
Here’s my problem, it only says to use your “favorite fluffy frosting.”
I cannot remember what I did 4 years ago.
Does anyone know if Baker’s gave a recipe for the frosting, or what does everyone else do?
There is a “cooked” frosting in my OLD Betty Crocker cookbook.
Please help ASAP!!! Party is tomorrow!!
posted on September 21st, 2007 at 8:12 am
had the same bakers cook book for years then we had a flood and lost it would love get get bakd a copy or a photo copy of same . Are there any other cut ou books on the marketi dont mind paying for same thanks
posted on September 30th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Does anyone have a cut-up cake pattern for a baby shower? Thanks!
posted on October 3rd, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Loaned my book to someone and they lost it! Mine was the 70’s addition. Anyone have a copy of the witch cake? This was my girls favorite and I would love to have a copy of this cake. Thanks from a grateful grandmother.
posted on November 4th, 2007 at 9:14 am
I am looking for the directions for the mickey and mini mouse cut up cake. I want to make one for my grand daughters 2nd birthday this weekend. I lost my book and would appreicate it if any one could tell me where I could find another one.
Thanks so much.
posted on November 7th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Wow!
Thanks! I had these cakes growing up, but my mom couldn’t find her cookbook. I just had a little girl and I want her to grow up with these cakes too. Thank goodness I found you! Well, I guess I can also thank google image search for having pictures under the heading of “easy cut-up cakes”. I had the teddy bear for my fifth birthday.
posted on November 18th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I still have my copy of the book that was published in 1970. It’s the one with the picture of the train on the cover. I’m going to try to make color copies of it on heavy cardstock paper for my four children to have. Last night, we made Turkey Lurkey, and it came out so cute. I wasn’t aware that there was an earlier version of cut-up cakes but I would love to see it. I collect cookbooks but have always considered my cut-up cake book my very favorite.
posted on November 19th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Really? Could you possibly get a copy to me? I have been looking to find turkey lurkey for a Thanksgiving cake contest!
posted on November 20th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I so enjoyed your pictures of all those cut up cakes. Thank You for sharing. I got this book
when I was 12 years old. Prior to it, I believe it was in 1956, I got another one with a rabbits
head on it,titled “Cut Up Cakes.” Then I sent for the next one in 1968, titled “Baker’s Coconut & Chocolate Party
Cut Up Cakes.” Then, in 1970, I got one with a “Train” on the front of it. I used them for all of my children
and Grandchildren. So fun. Then, I gave them to my daughter and have decided that I would like to purchase the
1956 Cut Up Cakes and the 1959 Animal Cut Up Cakes, again. Do you know of any place where I might find them for sale?
Funny to think at the ripe old age of 9 years old, I started my collection!
posted on November 24th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I USED THIS BOOK WHEN MY KIDS WERE GROWING UP. I THINK I MADE EVERY CAKE IN THE BOO. I NOW HAVE GRANDCHILDREN AND CAN NOT FIND THE BOOK. I WOULD LOVVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THESE CAKES FOR THEM AS WELL. IS THERE ANYWAY TO PURCHASE ONE OR DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATED VERSION AND IF SO WHERE CAN I PURCHASE IT.
posted on December 1st, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I have both the 1959 “Animal Cut-Up Cakes” and 1970 (can’t find a date on it) “Cut-Up Cake Party Book” editions of the Baker’s Coconut books. I inherited the 1959 edition from my mom. I was 8 1/2 in 1957 when my little sister was born, was quite the little baker, so made one of the cakes from the 1959 edition for her birthday every year and others for different occasions (Spot the Fox Terrier since we had one - Suzie). My daughter was born on Christmas Eve in 1974, so I continued to make her the cut-up cakes after purchasing the 1970 edition. I’ve made all 16 from the 1959 edition and most of the 26 from the 1970 edition. She called yesterday wanting to make one for her neighbor girl, turning 3, which led me to googling the books and to this site. What fun to read about everyone else’s memories! I am now in the process of copying both books so I can send her the originals. It’s her turn to enjoy them!
posted on December 12th, 2007 at 9:29 am
How wonderful to be able to find this on your web sight Thank You for making it available. Wonderful memories that went along with these cakes.
Thank You
Becky Selby
posted on December 14th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Where can I get a book of the different cutouts? We used the designs years ago and now would like them for my grandchildren.
posted on December 21st, 2007 at 7:49 am
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posted on February 4th, 2008 at 5:31 am
My Mom used to make a EasterBunny Cut-up cake that she got from Bakers Coconut about 30 years ago. It is different form the shown on this web site, it is not a full body rabbit but a hump body cut up cake, you take a round cake cut it in half put the two halves together to make the body then you cut wedges from that to mmke the head and tail. I would love to be ble to find the directions to this cake, my Mom is no longer with me and this is a memory of our Easters together that I would like to continue by making ths cake again. Can you help me?
posted on March 15th, 2008 at 10:17 am