Ingredients
Before we jump into the decorating process, let's first talk about the ingredients for the cake itself. According to [Better Homes & Gardens](https://www.bhg.com/recipe/balloon-cake/), here's what you'll need:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of shredded coconut (for sprinkling)
Butter or vegetable oil for greasing the pan
Making the Cake
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
3. combine the sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in another medium bowl until smooth.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Once cooled, sprinkle the shredded coconut over the top of the cake and allow it to set.
Now that we have our cake ready, let's move on to the fun part - decorating it like a balloon!
Decorating the Balloon Cake
1. While the cake is still warm, pipe a small amount of frosting onto one side of the cake and smooth it out. This will be the "top" of the balloon.
2. Using a balloon cutter, cut out a circle from the top layer of the cake. This will be the "opening" of the balloon.
3. Pipe more frosting onto the remaining top layer and shape it into a ball. This will be the "body" of the balloon.
4. For the "string", pipe a thin line of frosting around the edge of the cake, leaving a small gap at the bottom where the balloon opening is.
5. Finally, using edible glitter or silver dust, sprinkle some onto the string and the body of the balloon for a sparkly effect.
And voila! You now have a beautifully decorated Balloon Cake that's sure to bring smiles to everyone who sees it. Enjoy your baking and happy decorating!