I resisted buying a cake stand for the longest time, which is actually pretty dumb in retrospect since they cost like $10—not the most expensive kitchen accessory.
Similarly to how I resisted buying a whisk for the longest time, I’m not saying it makes sense. It’s just a weird, cheap quirk of mine. (But psst did I mention that my awesome brewmaster friend gave me his whisk after reading my post?? He is the best. I’ve been whisking so many things since, you don’t even KNOW.)
Anyway, last year, I finally made my own DIY cake stand—for photography purposes only. I’m just sorry it took me so long to share, because this is so easy, it doesn’t even count as a craft. It’s just a method.
All you need is:
Any type of plate
A candle holder (I found a few types at Goodwill. Try Walmart, Ross, or thrift shops.)
Take the plate of cake. Put it on top of the candle holder. Take lots of pictures.
For an actual, functional cake stand, check out this tutorial (same concept, prettier vintage look). If you have a hot glue gun, glue away! My roommate gave me an actual cake stand for my birthday (pictured here) which was pretty much the best day ever, but I still use this solution when I want to have a different colored-plate as the backdrop. Not to mention it’s a breeze to break down and store.
Just make sure everything is balanced properly when rearranging for shots and such. No one wants to cry over spilled cake.
Now go make a delicious cake to go with your photogenic cake stand!
Momofuku Apple Pie Cake (pictured)
Banana Layer Cake with Marzipan and Chocolate Glaze
This super fudgy chocolate chickpea cake:
Also: cookies and cupcakes look awesome on cake stands. Try these super easy, no-butter-creaming-required olive oil chocolate chip cookies:
Pumpkin-pie stuffed chocolate cupcakes:
So glad you got a whisk and love this idea for a cake stand Erika. I have one pink and one green cake stand only because they were on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $1.50 each but I still need a white one which never seems to go on sale! Now I don’t need to wait, thanks for sharing 🙂
Haha, what a coincidence. I saw a cake stand about 50% off on Crate & Barrel and my partner asked, “How often do you make cakes?!” LOL. Brilliant idea, love it!
This is such a cool idea, it looks gorgeous 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love the cupcake picture with the stand in the background. So chic!
Lol I LOVE THIS!!! Knowing me, I’d knock it over and have cake everywhere (see also, flipping cakes, see also, everything I do in life). But I am obsessed with tricks like these. It really gets me how easy it is to sink money into props and things like that, so absolutely love this and your thrifty spirit. Thanks for this, Erika! 🙂
I know, it is SO easy to just keep dropping $5 or $15 on props because you’re like, “it’s a plate, I’ll definitely use it!” And then if you’re like me, you get too lazy to even pull them out of the cupboard when the time comes to photograph food…but anyway. Yes, I didn’t want to point this out but if you look at the banana layer cake, you can definitely see that the candle holder is not centered. I think cake tiltage definitely happened that day…but really, I think it’s pretty hazard-free as long as you don’t try to slice the cake on the stand! 🙂
I love this Erika! I did the same thing for my Halloween display recipe. It’s amazing how easy it is and so helpful for people who don’t realize. Also, you can get creative on patterns and colors. I want some cake now!!!
I love the idea of using a candle holder. I’ve been wanting to make one forever too, but the ones I saw involved a cup, so it didn’t look as neat as this one. It’s wonderful Erika!
Thanks so much Paula! 🙂
1. Thank GOD you finally have a whisk!
2. I LOVE THIS CAKESTAND! Awesome that it’s diy!
This is actually so awesome. I, too, resist buying stuff that I don’t think are totally necessary. Cake stand being one of them. Definitely not necessary. I love this – and I can totally make it myself without spending the $10 😉 Right for me!