every year, but, when we did, it was most often neighborhood kids. We still talk about the Biederman Street Gang birthday parties. I don't remember a specific cake, but I imagine it was chocolate as that was my favorite. The cakes were decorated with candles and frosting. I love the simple powdered sugar icing, and I am sure that's what was on the cake.
When my girls were little, I usually let them pick out a cake at the bakery, and I would buy that for their big parties (not really that big). As they got older, they wanted a birthday cookie, and I usually got that at some local store bakery.
Now, we might or might not have a birthday cake. Sometimes, I just pick up cupcakes from the store for just us.
My dgds usually ask for something specific. Younger dgd wants cheesecake for her birthday cake.