Not everyone loves cake. And for those people (many of whom are in my own family), a traditional layered birthday cake simply won’t do for their special day. Whether you’re celebrating an avowed cake hater or simply want to change things up at parties this year, we have lots of birthday desserts that aren’t cake, including ice cream, blondies, baked Alaska, and even a giant cinnamon roll.

Photography by Patrick Marinello; food styling by Yekaterina Boytsova

No need for an ice cream maker!

1) Birthday Cake Ice Cream

This no-churn ice cream is so easy, it feels like a magic trick: Simply beat together heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk until billowy and voluminous, then freeze until firm.…