Cactus Cake Topper DIY

May 17
12 Comments

Today I’m sharing a sweet cactus cake topper DIY…because if you haven’t noticed, the cactus trend has exploded in popularity!  I created this fun topper to add to the festivities when we hosted the baseball players for a Cinco De Mayo team dinner!  Since the meal was served up on this colorful holiday, I wanted to add a few extra decorations to the desserts.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have any time to do extra shopping…which can be a common problem when hosting ANY celebration.  My only alternative was to create something myself…so with the most simple supplies I gave it a try.  Let me tell you I was so thrilled to find how easy it was to make something really cute for very little money OR time!  I want to show you how incredibly simple it is because a cactus cake topper can be used for more than just a Cinco De Mayo celebration!  I’ll show you how I used it again for topping my family’s favorite sweet treat…lavender pound cake!  (and I’ll be sharing the recipe too!)  Let’s get crafting…and maybe a little baking too!

top your cake with a cactus!

cactus cake topper DIY and party supplies

i don’t know about you but i’m a sucker for easy projects that look fabulous and don’t take a laundry list of supplies!

this is what you’ll need to get started

a section of cardboard…approximately 6 x 10 inches

green tissue garland

wood skewer

low temp hot glue gun

scissors, box cutter, or exacto knife

step 1

begin by cutting out your desired shape…

cactus cake top DIY

don’t worry about getting it perfect.  the edges might appear rough but they’ll be covered up with the tissue paper!

cactus cake topper DIY

step 2

run a bead of glue on the edge of the shape and attach the garland…

cactus cake topper DIY

step 3

cover the entire shape but leave some space on the bottom to insert the skewer later

cactus cake topper DIY

add sections of the tissue to the exposed cardboard with the glue.  keep filling it in until completely covered…

cactus cake topper DIY

step 4

trim it up with scissors to define the shape…

cactus cake topper DIY

step 5

insert the skewer into the exposed cardboard…

cactus cake topper DIY

i used a dollop of glue to keep the stick secure and to add an artificial flower to one of the arms!  i think it slightly resembles a pinata don’t you?

cactus cake topper

in 5 basic steps you can make a cactus cake topper for yourself…or you could try another shape too!

cactus cake topper DIY

pop it on your cake!

i love how it makes such a big impact on a tiny dessert!

cactus cake topper

and how fun are the sipper cups to match?

cactus party supplies

fill ’em with margaritas or lemonade…even water would look special in these babies!

cactus party supplies

to keep the cake on theme, i just tucked some artificial succulents and blooms around the edge…easy & sweet!

cactus party cake decorations

serve up some “on point” cactus fun…

and make an easy cactus cake topper!

pin for later~

DIY cactus cake topper

 

products seen in this post can be found at~

Michaels:  tissue garland

Walmart:  cactus sipper cups (in store only)

HomeGoods:  plates

 

don’t forget to print off the recipe!

Lavender Pound Cake
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
2 small cakes 20 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 small cakes 20 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Lavender Pound Cake
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
2 small cakes 20 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 small cakes 20 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: small cakes
Instructions
  1. Beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
  2. In a separate bowl add the flour and salt and set aside
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, alternating with the flour/salt mixture. mix well with each addition ending with flour. Then add the lemon, vanilla, almond extracts and the apricot nectar-mixing until blended. Fold in the lavender flowers by hand.
  4. Pour batter into two well greased, small pudding molds (similar to a small bundt or angel food pan) or you can use an alternate container such as a ovenproof bowl or clean, new, flour pot. you may need to adjust the bake time if using a container without a hollow center like the molds)
  5. Bake in a pre-heated oven set at 315 degrees for 1 hour and 20-30 minutes or until pick comes out clean.
  6. Cool 15-20 minutes. Loosen edges of pan with a knife and turn out from pan and cool completely. This cake freezes wonderfully. You can ice it and serve immediately or wrap well and freeze for up to 6 months.

enjoy!

  1. Susan

    May 17

    Omg this is such a great DIY ! How easy too ! Thank you for sharing! I got to try it.

    • Lori

      May 17

      Thanks Susan! It really was an easy craft! And you could do almost any simple shape!!

  2. I can’t even believe how easy making this cactus topper is! Genius girl! Could use that technique for so many things!! hum….

    • Lori

      May 23

      Oh Thank you Nathalie!! It would be fun in other shapes right?? xoxo

  3. Beth

    May 24

    What a fantastic idea to make a cactus cake topper. You’ve inspired me to try to make an apple cake topper for an upcoming event!

    • Lori

      May 25

      Yay! I hope you share it! I thought it would be fun for a bunch of different shapes!! Have fun!

  4. Misha

    June 4

    This cake topper is the best!!🌵

    • Lori

      June 6

      Thanks so much!! And sooo easy!! 🙂

  5. Carolina

    June 10

    Aww!! What a cute and festive topper!! You made it so easy!! Love it Lori!!

    • Lori

      June 12

      Thanks so much Carolina! It was fun and easy to make!! xoxo

  6. Carolina

    June 10

    What a cute and festive idea Lori! You are a genius!!

    • Lori

      June 12

      Thank you!! You’re too sweet to me!!

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