40th Birthday Cakes

For many, a 40th birthday represents the first of the "over-the-hill" celebrations, so what better way to mark the occasion than with an over-the-hill birthday cake?

To make, decorate a sheet cake with tombstones, the grim reaper, vultures, and black balloons, or top with joke-shop dentures, clumps of gray coconut, miniature walkers, and canes. If an over-the-hill celebration isn't likely to delight the guest of honor, celebrate the big day with one of these 40th birthday cake ideas:

This is Your Life Cake

Honor the celebrant with a timeline cake that's decorated with milestones, such as birth year, graduation year, marriage year, and years of their children's births.

Bouquet Cake

Top a sheet cake with 40 blooms of their birth month flower:

• January - Carnation
• February - Violet
• March - Daffodil
• April - Daisy
• May - Lily of the Valley
• June - Rose
• July - Larkspur
• August - Gladiolas
• September - Aster
• October - Cosmos
• November - Chrysanthemum
• December - Narcissus

Embracing the Past Cake

Treat the guest of honor to a blast from the past with a character cake of his or her favorite cartoon character or superhero.

Non-Cake Birthday Cake

Break away from the traditional iced confection with these "non cake" 40th birthday cakes: cheesecake, crème Brule, tarts, petit fours, or pastries.

Theme Birthday Cake

Add another layer of fun to the celebration with a themed birthday cake. Great themed cakes include casino cakes decorated with chips and dice, luau cakes iced with beach scenes and hula dancers, or Mardi Gras cakes adorned with edible beads.

Whether you're planning a lighthearted celebration to poke good-natured fun at the "oldster" or are treating the guest of honor to a quiet celebration at home, 40th birthday cakes are a sweet way to pay tribute to a wonderful life thus far.

More 40th Birthday Cake Ideas

40th Birthday Party Ideas

More Birthday Cake Ideas

Milestone Birthday Ideas

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