Birthday Cakes

I have made a habit of ensuring that anyone I know with a birthday, gets a home made cake. These have come in all shapes and sizes, child like barbie cakes to diet irn bru cans (no really!).
It is my flat mate Clara's birthday tomorrow and I'm laid out with a nasty cold, but I might get James to help me create this yummy looking delight so that she doesn't miss out!
It's a bit more sophisticated than my usual creations, but we're getting old these days!

Growing up, my mum always made the most incredible cakes for birthdays. My favourite was a treasure chest that actually opened up and was full of chocolate coins. I must ask her how she did that.

What was your favourite cake growing up?