20 Pans that Take the Cake

Aug 12, 2013

Whether you’re planning an epic celebration, or just craving some cake, why use a boring old cake pan? These 20 creative molds will take your baking up a notch and add some fun and whimsy to your baked goods, whether you’re sharing or keeping them for yourself (we won’t tell!).

1. Peace of Cake ($15): We’re loving this pun-tastic name and the hippie feel that this pan will give your finished cake.

2. Happy Birthday ($25): What better way to say “Happy Birthday” than a freshly baked cake? How about with a cake that literally says happy birthday?

3. Giant Cupcake ($31): All the cuteness of a cupcake with all the size of an actual cake. Count us in!

4. Cookie Cake ($40): Take your cookie cake game to the next level with this epic cake pan. A giant Oreo look-a-like cake? We’re down for a bite. (image via Munchkin Munchies)

5. Cakewich ($23): You can totally eat cake for lunch if you make it with this cake pan. Just add PB&J!

6. Pi Cake Pan ($12): Pi Day has already passed, but there’s never a bad time to geek out over 3.14. Also great on Valentine’s Day or an anniversary… you know, for your Sweetie Pi.

7. Alphabet Cake Pan ($23): No matter what you’re celebrating, you can spell it out with this adjustable cake pan that lets you make a variety of numbers and letters. We’re kind of digging the pixelated/8-bit look, too.

Just a Slice Cake Pan

Color Wheel Cake and we love how easy it makes prep, presentation, and clean-up.

Dog Bone Cake Pan

Slice of Fun)

10. Guitar Cake Pan ($14): Rock out with this guitar-shaped cake pan, perfect for any music lover’s celebration or just to eat at your Tuesday afternoon dance party.

11. Mini Tier Cake Pan ($26): Mimic the layered look in miniature with this tier cake pan — and create quite possibly the most adorable cakes ever. Cupcakes? Pffft!

12. Sweetheart Cake Pans ($18): We heart this! Literally bake your treats with love using these pans that allow you to fill your cake with a heart-shaped surprise.

13. Checkerboard Cake Pan ($18): Having a game night? Create an impressive checkerboard cake with this handy cake pan.

14. Summer Mini Cake Pan ($9): Cookie cutters are out, cake molds are in! We love these adorable molds from Wilton. The sunglasses are our faves – think of how many ways you could decorate them!

LEGO Minifigure Cake Mold

LEGO? Pair this with some LEGO ice cubes and you’ve got yourself a party :) (Photo via sjoiner_2009)

18. Star Pan ($14): Be the star of your own kitchen with this fun cake. We also highly recommend it for any E! True Hollywood Story or Oscars viewing parties.

19. Heart Cake Mold ($20): This unique cake pan creates 6 individual heart-shaped cake slices. It’s the perfect way to show your heartfelt thanks or to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day!).

20. Soccer Ball Pan ($14): This brings new meaning to the term “cake balls.” Whether you call it soccer or football, you can show your spirit with this pan. If kicking the ball around isn’t your style, they also offer basketball or baseball molds!

15 Spangled 4th Of July Cupcake And Cake Recipes

You’ve got your annual Fourth of July cookout responsibilities down pat. One friend brings the pasta salad, another gladly takes care of the grilled veggie sides, and then you are happily in charge of the patriotic flag cake. But this year, you might want to shake things up. We’ve got 15 red, white, and blue cupcakes and cakes with broad stripes and bright stars to celebrate Independence Day in style.

Flag Cake

Oh Sweet Basil

No dessert is more patriotic than a full-blown flag cake adorned with white icing, ruby raspberries, and blueberries. (via Oh Sweet Basil)

4th of July Cupcakes

The Little Blonde Baker

Red, white, and blue are twirled to perfection to give you these slightly psychedelic vanilla cupcakes; they’re topped with a finger-lickin’ buttercream that you can easily make on your own. (via The Little Blonde Baker)

Red, White, and Blue Funfetti Cupcakes

Treats and Trends

Funfetti has become a birthday *must,* but we’re bringin’ it for the Fourth of July with these gloriously festive cupcakes slathered in buttercream frosting. (via Treats and Trends)

Red, White, and Blue Cake Pops

Love Maegan

With a white chocolate coating and festive sprinkles, these gorgeous cake pops are a total crowd-pleaser. They’re also really fun and easy to make, so get the kids to help! (via Love Maegan)

Red, White, and Blue Cake

What Should I Make For...

This naked layered red velvet cake skips the festive sprinkles and replaces them with fresh berries. (via What Should I Make For…)

Fourth of July Peanut Butter Cookie Cake

Sweetest Menu

What your Fourth of July party REALLY needs is an oversized peanut butter cookie cake covered in red and blue chocolate candies. (via Sweetest Menu)

Firecracker Cake

Love Bakes Good Cakes

With red, white, and blue drips of delicious frosting, this vanilla cake is as exciting on the inside as it is on the outside, thanks to some crafty yet simple techniques. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)

Patriotic Swirl Cupcakes

Two Sisters Crafting

It’s hard to beat colorful swirls of buttercream sitting atop moist and crumbly chocolate cupcakes, amirite? Follow the simple tutorial and WOW your pals. (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Low Carb 4th of July Vanilla Berry Cake

It's Autumn's Life

If this vanilla berry cake proves anything, it’s that you can still be festive while keeping things clean and simple. Decorated with sweet strawberries and blackberries, this dessert is low in carbs but big on flavor. (via It’s Autumn’s Life)

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

Our Family of Seven

This recipe brings cupcakes to a whole new level by filling ice cream cones with batter before baking. They’re then topped with icing as usual, and a maraschino cherry for good measure. (via Our Family of Seven)

Easy July 4th Ice Cream Cake

Just A Taste

This cooling ice cream cake is made with frozen pound cake, your choice of raspberry or strawberry sorbet, and a whipped topping that’s decked out in fresh berries and patriotic goodies. (via Just a Taste)

Red Velvet 4th of July Cupcakes

Your Cup Of Cake

These ruby cakes are brimming with red velvety goodness and whipped cream icing, and topped with fresh blueberries for a touch of blue. (via Your Cup of Cake)

Red, White, and Blue Cake

Preppy Kitchen

Bring this gawk-worthy petal cake to your Fourth of July cookout and treat your friends to three decadent layers of spongy cake and buttercream. (via Preppy Kitchen)

Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Cupcakes

Pack Momma

Speared with sparkling stars, these cupcakes boast American pride with colorful icing and cake layers. (via Pack Momma)

American Flag Cake

Cooking Is Messy

This cake might seem run-of-the-mill at first glance, but when you cut into it and reveal your mad baking skills, guests will be left in a complete state of awe. (via Cooking Is Messy)

This post has been updated.

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Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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14 Cake Batter Recipes That Aren’t Cake

When you think of protein bars,flavored popcorn or gooey cinnamon buns, cake batter probably isn’t the flavor that immediately comes to mind. Well, consider your mind blown, because we have all of the above and then some — and they all taste just like cake! Instead of baking a regular cake for your next birthday, change it up with one of these non-cake cake batter recipes. Or just make one every day for 14 days. That’s fine too.

Broma Bakery

Cake Batter Macarons

Who knew it was even possible to make such a beautiful treat at home? These macarons are pure perfection, and we bet they taste like it too. (via Broma Bakery)

Sally's Baking Addiction

Cake Batter Blondies

We’ll take brownies in any form, especially when that form is filled with bright colors and *two* different kinds of sprinkles. We don’t even care what these taste like — they’re just SO pretty. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)

Running With Spoons

Funfetti Cake Batter Breakfast Bake

If you’re uncertain what’s in a breakfast bake, let us break it down for you. This one is a combination of oats, almond flour and vanilla almond milk (plus a few more very special ingredients). It’s a healthy spin on a sugary treat. (via Running With Spoons)

Crazy for Crust

Cake Batter Cookie Pie

This pie is like the ultimate hybrid of cookie, cake and ice cream. Chocolate chips layered on top of the crust make this super sweet treat a must-eat! (via Crazy for Crust)

Cookies & Cups

Funfetti Gooey Butter Cookies

Not only is there a whole box of funfetti cake batter in these cookies, but there’s also a full eight ounces of cream cheese. Holy crap. Cream cheese in cookies is definitely the way to sign us up for this trend. (via Cookies & Cups)

Budget Savvy Siva

Cake Batter Dip Recipe

We know a thing or two about savory party dips, but this sweet, cake batter version is a whole different ballgame. We feel like dipping animal crackers in this just *might* taste like heaven. (via Budget Savvy Diva)

Ashlee Marie

Cake Mix and Sprinkles Fudge

This fudge is loaded with sprinkles. They’ll melt in your mouth, along with the white chocolate and powdered sugar this fudge is made out of. One word: DECADENCE. (via Ashlee Marie)

How Sweet It Is

Cake Batter Pancakes

Sometimes you just need some sugar in the morning to get moving. These pancakes are *definitely* sweet, and we’re definitely making them tomorrow. (via How Sweet It Is)

I Heart Naptime

Cake Batter Popcorn

This cake batter popcorn is probably supposed to be dessert, but we could eat it all day, every day. With only four ingredients, this recipe will come together in a matter of minutes. (via I Heart Naptime)

With Salt and Wit

Birthday Cake Pretzels

Maybe it’s just us, but the combination of white chocolate, cake batter and a touch of salt puts us over the edge, in a really good way. We’ll take the whole bouquet, please. (via With Salt and Wit)

Sugar Spun Run

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Double down on the cake batter with this recipe. Not only is there cake batter in the Rice Krispie mixture, but it’s in the frosting too. (via Sugar Spun Run)

Sugar Spun Run

Cake Batter Cheesecake Dessert Shooters

There may not be any booze in these shooters, but Golden Oreos, tons of cream cheese and Cool Whip are enough for us. Three cheers to this gorgeous dessert! (via Sugar Spun Run)

Wine and Glue

Cake Batter Truffles

We’ve seen a lot of truffle recipes in our day, but this cake batter version might take the cake. See what we did there? (via Wine and Glue)

Bests and Bites

Healthy Funfetti Protein Bars

This is the ultimate non-cake recipe, because unlike cake, it’s actually kind of healthy. Boasting tons of vanilla protein and cashew butter, it’s basically a protein bar disguised as a cake. (via Bests and Bites)

Do you love cake batter treats that don’t make cake? Follow us on Pinterest for more sweet recipes!

Lead image via Broma Bakery

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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