(NAPSA)—Planninga child’s birthday party can be fun, but also time consuming and expensive. Fortunately, a free downloadable online birthday kit offers everything you need for a top-rate themed birthdayparty. Birthday Central offers 15 different themed party ideas. The birthday child can choose a favorite theme including type of cake, snacks, decorations, activi- ties and games. Every themealso has a section for printable party accessories including nametags, invitations, place cards, posters, thank you notes, coloring pages and mailing labels—which can be personalized for the party guests. This provides a creative, interactive activity for you and yourkids. From a T-Rex Birthday Cake for a dinosaur party to a Red, White and Blueberry Shortcake for a backyard Olympics party, the recipes can sweeten the special day. If the child prefers a party featuring a licensed cartoon character, parents can get really crafty and opt for a mix-and-match theme. The child can choose a favorite character and match that character with a theme from the Birthday Centralsite. For instance, if your child prefers a party based on a popular children’s movie such as Disney’s The Lion King, parents can add some ideas found in the Jungle Jamboree theme, including these clever cupcakes: Cupcake Critters 1 cup firmly packed Domino 1 % % 3 Light Brown Sugar cup Domino Granulated Sugar cup butter or margarine, softened teaspoon salt ozs. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled Keep the critters happy at your next kids’ party with the help of these CupcakeCritters and a jungle-themeparty. 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2% cupsall purpose flour 1% teaspoons baking soda 1% cupschilled water Buttercream Frosting (below) Assorted food coloring Assorted candies such as licorice shoestrings, chocolate pieces, marshmallowsin different sizes, gumdrops,etc. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper baking cups. Beat sugars, butter, salt and chocolate in large mixing bowl at high speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; continue beating 1-2 minutes until well mixed. In small bowl, stir together flour and baking soda. Add to chocolate mixture alternately with water, blending well after each addition. Fill muffin cups *%full. Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan. Preparefrosting. To Prepare Buttercream Frosting: Combine in large bowl, confectioners sugar, butter, milk and vanilla. Beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes until creamy. If desired, add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency. Decorate with candies to make yourfavorite jungle animals. Other themes available on the site include: * Backyard Olympics Camp Out Party Carnival Party Dinosaur Party Garden Tea Party GlamourParty Hawaiian Luau Princess Party Scavenger Hunt Sports Mania For moreideas and information go to Birthday Central at www. dominosugar.com/birthdays.
