I think when serving cupcakes or mini cakes they look so much better when served on a cake stand. In this tutorial I will show you how to make a cake stand that is very easy and quick to make. You can adapt it to the color or pattern on your cakes. I have used thick gift wrap paper to cover the cake boards. But you could ice your cake boards with rolled sugarpaste/fondant icing instead. Only remember to ice the cake board a few days in advanced so they can dry throughly.
Note: remember when you have assembled the cake stand with cakes on it, not to move it around too much.
This is what I have used:
Cake boards: 1×8″, 1×10″, 1×12″
Note: if you want one more tire on the stand. You will need 1×14″ cake board.Polysthyrene cake dummies 2″ high: 2X5″ and 2×6″
Note: You will need 2×7″ polysthyrene cake dummies for one more tire.
Satin ribbon for the cake board and the polysthyrene cake dummies
Thick paper or sugarpaste/rolled fondant icing
Glue stick and regular glue
Note: use school glue
Metal pins
Sharp scissor
pencil
Step 1:
Start by glue the dummies together. So they can dry completely.
Step 2:
Take your chosen ribbon, and attach it on the dummies with a metal pin.
Note: you can also glue the ribbon on. But I want to use the dummies again. So therefor I have not glued my ribbon on
Step 3:
When the dummies are dry, start by wrapping the ribbon around them so it slightly overlap all the way to the top.
Note: the metal pin on the picture, was only put in so I could take the picture.
Step 4:
Attach the ribbon with a metal pin.
Step 5:
Lay the cake boards on the choosen paper. Take your pencil and draw a line around the board on the paper. Cut out wih a pair of scissors.
Step 6:
Take the glue stick and add glue throughly all over the board.
Step 7:
Place the paper cirkel on the cake board and rub it lightly.
Step 8:
Now it is time to attache the ribbon to the side of the cake board. Add a metal pin to just keep the ribbon in place.
Step 9:
If you like you can rub a bit of glue on the side so the ribbon stays in place. End by taking the metal pin and attache it to the overlaps.
Step 10:
Now your cake stand is finished.
Note: I have not assembled my cake stand with glue, but you could do that for an extra safety. If you use iced cake boards you can use royal icing to fix it if you like.
On this cake stand I have used 7″, 10″, 13″ but I would recomend to use the cake board size’s above.
IMPORTANT!! If you are having problems finding the materials to make this cake stand. Then please take your time and read through the comment section as you will find links and answers on where to buy the materials.
If you have any problems with the cake stand then please let me know so I can help you out. Also I would love to see your cake stand when it is finished. Maybe completed with cupcakes or mini cakes? So please send a photo 
See CakeJournal’s readers own cake stands in the cake stand gallery.
Happy Caking
Louise
June 8th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Thank you so much for posting this. I need a stand for a job next week and I have searched everywhere for one that looks like this. I never thought of making one. You made it look so simple. I can’t wait to get started.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Louise your timing couldn’t be more perfect. I have a mini cupcake job next week and have been searching high and low for a stand that looks half this good. You made this look so simple. I hadn’t even thought of making one. I can’t wait to get started.
June 8th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
That’s great to hear destini. I am only glad to help fellow cake friends:o) I hope you will show me how your stand turned out… and the mini cupcakes aswell.
Happy Caking
Louise
June 8th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
This is such a treat. I have been worrying about this for at least 2 weeks and now you have posted a solution. Thank you so much.
June 11th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
This is soo cute. Thanks!
June 11th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Thank you for your nice words both of you. I would love to see pictures landa;)
June 12th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Oh that’s so perfect! It’s my little girl’s 5th birthday party next week and we will be awash with cupcakes. Thank you so much for posting this!
June 13th, 2007 at 5:15 am
this is so excewllent i had some nice pyramid bowls and china plates i adapted to this thank you so much for sharing
June 21st, 2007 at 5:46 am
Louise, I am going to attempt my very FIRST wedding cake for a gfren of mine who is getting married in August and this information definitely help me through. Wish me luck. hehehe
July 3rd, 2007 at 2:01 am
This looks perfect for what I am doing but I have 1 question. In the list of materials, do I need 2 columns that are 5″ wide and 2 that are 6″ wide then glue together so that they are each 4 inches high?
July 3rd, 2007 at 1:30 pm
It depends on how much “space” you want between the tires, and what kind of cake your are presenting on the cake stand. I could not get any 3″ high columns so thats why I have use 2×2″ columns insteed.
Please write again if you have more questions.
Louise
July 20th, 2007 at 12:52 am
i love your cake stand. i was wondering where did you get the cake drums and the columns from? thanks!
July 25th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
Hi, I was wondering if you have ever tried to make a taller stand. Some friends and I are having a huge 25th birthday party and we want a 6 tier cupcake tower. Do you think you stand would withstand that height?
July 26th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Hi Tea,
Sorry I have not replied to you. I buy my cake boards and columns from ordinary cake decorating shops.
July 26th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Hi there,
I am not so sure that a 6 tier tower would withstand the height. What you could do is to make a 4 tier cupcake tower place a steady box on a round table.
Place the cupcake tower on top (make sure it dont slide off) That way you could place the rest of the cupcakes under the tower and out on the table.
Hope it makes sense:)
July 30th, 2007 at 4:41 am
When you say that you used cake drums, do you mean cardboard cake circles? or should i be looking for something else?
thanks for the help!
-bec
July 30th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Hi bec,
You can use cake boards.
Louise
July 30th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
I was just wondering how many cupcakes this would fit if I addes one more level?
July 31st, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Hi there,
There can be around 40 cupcakes on the stand with 4 tiers. 54 cupcakes
if you make 5 tiers. This is with regular paper cases.
Louise
August 5th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
thank you for sharing your tiers making…..:)….
i need a 3 tier stand to fit 100pcs of regular paper cases…do you know the dimension of the cake board?
August 6th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hi,
I have been looking on the sizes of cake boards and I doubt that even the larges cake boards would fit 100 cupcakes.
My best advise would be to make maybe 4 or 5 tiers and place the rest of the cupcakes around the stand.
August 21st, 2007 at 7:19 pm
i love this i am having a halloween wedding and i have been looking for a cupcake stand and i came across your wonderful idea …i am trying to have a diy wedding thanks a million ,,,,,sonia
August 26th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I love the idea, but I’m having trouble finding the styrofoam pieces for the project. I’m in Rhode Island. Can you suggest where I can find them? Thank you.
August 26th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I love the idea, but I’m having trouble finding the styrofoam pieces for the project. I’m in Rhode Island. Can you suggest where I can find them? Thank you.
August 26th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Hi phyllis,
Try to see if you can find the styrofoam at your lokal cake supply store. You should be looking for “cake dummies”:)
Good luck!
September 7th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hi I am so glad that i found this. I think it is great. I am making this for an anniversary party and am making mini cupcakes. how many do you think i will be able to fit on?
also just to clarify your directions the largest of the columns goes on the bottom obviously? you know its those “easy” things that mess everything up.
Thanks a bunch.
September 9th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Wonderful, just wonderful. I would have never thought of doing this! Thank you.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Hi!
Sorry I have been in bed sick so I have not had the time to write a reply.
Regarding the amount of mini cupcakes the stand will fit. Let me take a look on that and I will give you a hint. Also yes it is the large columns that goes in the bottom:)
handmaiden: your welcome:)
September 14th, 2007 at 6:43 am
your tutorial saved my project! i was dead set on having a cupcake tower for this small event that i’m throwing, but i’m also working on a tight budget and couldn’t afford to get a new one
this is how mine turned out:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd310/legacyofluna/cupcakestand-trial.jpg
it’s not perfect, but it will do for now
plus its got a mini slot at the top upon which to put fresh flowers 
September 17th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Hi maro,
Your welcome!
I think your cake stand turned out great. I love the colors you have put together. I would love to see it with cakes on:)
September 26th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
this is so great!! i can’t wait to make it!
September 29th, 2007 at 5:07 am
OMG! This is FABULOUS! I am doing cupcakes for my wedding and am trying to DIY as much as possible! I consider myself “crafty” but never even thought of this! Thanks so much!!! I can’t wait to start making one (actually, I might need 2)
September 30th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Thanks booktty830!
Remember you can change the sizes of the columns and cake boards. As long as its stable.
October 1st, 2007 at 10:26 am
Hi Louise, will the white glue melt the styrofoam and cause a hole to be burnt on it? I’ve worked with styrofoam on school projects before, and no matter what glue i use, it burnt through the foam..
October 1st, 2007 at 7:53 pm
That did not happen to me here. As I use a kind of hobby glue that you can use on paper, wood and so. Try look in a craft store?
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:43 am
Thanks Louise! Shall give it a try.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Ok Yan. Let me know how it went.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
This is fabulous! I did cupcakes for my daughter’s first birthday party. I changed a couple of things but used the same basic idea/design of your stand. Thanks so much for this!
Here is a picture of the stand I made.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd212/AvaleePictures/Cupcakes.jpg
October 16th, 2007 at 7:21 am
Hi Tami!
Youre welcome.
I think your cakes and cupcakes looks beautiful. I like all the colours:-)
October 17th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I love this idea! It is perfect for what I am doing for my wedding! I was just wondering on the cake boards…I can only find 1/2 inch thick cake boards I cant find any 1 inch thick ones, could you maybe tell me where I could find those, I have been looking online because I dont know of any cake decorating stores in my town. Thanks for the idea!
October 20th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Hi there,
thanks so much for the idea of the cupcake stand! I absolutly loved the idea!
I did a little change to it by using not cakedrums in between but also syfoam. woks also perfectly.
Thanks again!
xxx
Liis
October 25th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Hi, I found this through an old wedding forum because I needed a cupcake holder for a halloween party. Great DIY idea! The only cake supply store near me closes early, so I used styrofoam discs from the floral section at Michaels, and this is my favorite part — for the columns I used empty aluminum cans (like Campbell soup cans) wrapped in paper. I jammed the open end of the can into the styrofoam to secure it.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I cannot thank you enough for your wonderful example of a cupcake stand. I could not find the one cylinder for the center so modified my design with smaller cylinders. Please check out my whimsical cupcake stand for my daughter’s 13th birthday.
http://www.theclevercrafter.blogspot.com
October 26th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Thank you for all of your comments.
On where to buy thick cake boards It deppends on where you live;-)
You can always email me and I wil try to help.
Thank you Liis for the note that it can work with styrofoam aswell.
Cindy, I think the cake stand looks great. I hope your girl had a great day.
Louise
October 27th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
i’ve been trying to find a cupcake stand for a while now.I didnt want to spend to much on buying one from martha stewart..my daughters 1st birthday is coming and i have a month to finish every thing.thank you sooooooo much. im glad i searched around first.
October 31st, 2007 at 2:05 am
I have 1/2 thick foam boards but I am having problems finding 1 in thick ribbon to wrap around the side… 7/8 doesn’t cover it.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:34 am
Well you can use a bit larger ribbon on the boards. Have you tried to look in craft stores or places where they sell fabric/sewing thing??
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:15 am
hi! i love your cakes & your creativity! where can i get this cake drums? I’m new to baking and stuff so i dnt understand much some of the stuff you use here. =D
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hi Judee Ann,
Welcome to the wonderful world of cakes & cake decorating. You could also use cake boards instead of drums. Try look at craft stores or cake supply stores too.
November 11th, 2007 at 4:49 am
Wow. You made it look so easy.
I will be trying to do this if I can.
The thing is, I live in a small town, and there really aren’t cake decorating or cake supply stores in my vicinity.
Is there anywhere else I could get the cake drums and cake dummies?
Or is just cardboard with the wrapping paper on top okay?
I’m new to cake decorating/making [I've only been doing it for two months].
Thank you so much!
–Ambjer
November 11th, 2007 at 4:50 am
Wow. You made it look so easy.
I will be trying to do this if I can.
The thing is, I live in a small town, and there really aren’t cake decorating or cake supply stores in my vicinity.
Is there anywhere else I could get the cake drums and cake dummies?
Or is just cardboard with the wrapping paper on top okay?
I’m new to cake decorating/making [I've only been doing it for two months].
Thank you so much!
–Ambjer
November 15th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Hi Louise,
I was looking on line to see if I can buy a cake stand when I came across your idea and I thought “what a great idea!” I loved the fact that I can decorate it the way I wanted. I did it for my son’s first birthday party in addition to his birthday cake I ordered, and to my surprise I got more compliments on my cupcakes than the cake! Here are the pics… Thank you so much!
Mandy
http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDPfRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQGexPJlxePoxv8uOc5xQQQJn0a0oJo0JqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QQPP%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,332,442
http://render-2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3Axxr%3D0-qpDPfRt7Pf7mrPfrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQQGexPJlxePoxv8uOc5xQQQJn0a0o0o0eqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gX0QQQl%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,332,442
November 15th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Hi Ambjer,
Send me an email and I will try help you out:-)
Louise
November 15th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Hi Mandy!
Congratulation with your son.
I have seen both the cupcake stand with and without cupcakes on and I must say that it all looks really beautiful. Thanks for letting me see it.
Louise
November 20th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Here is a list of places on where to get the materials for making the cake stand. Ribbon & paper can be found in most crafty stores ect.
http://www.sweetwise.com (US)
http://cakedecostore.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html (US)
http://www.decopac.com/ (US)
http://www.cksouth.com/ (US)
http://www.countrykitchensa.com/ (US)
http://www.taylorfoam.com/taylorfoam_com/cakedummies/ (US)
http://www.michaels.com/art/online/home (US)
http://www.bakerysugarcraft.com.au/product.asp?group=116 (AU)
http://cakedeco.com.au/ (AU)
http://www.choicecakes.com/index.php (AU)
http://almondart.com/acatalog/ (UK)
http://www.design-a-cake.co.uk/ (UK)
January 6th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I am having problems finding the styrofoam columns in 2″. Does anyone know where I can purchase one online or what I could use to substitute the columns? Thanks! This will be for a baby shower any other creative ideas to decorate the stand I would love to hear
January 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am
What you use for columns is cake dummies made by using 2×2″ round dummies glued together. Look at links above I am sure you will find them there:-)
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 am
This is my first time here… I’m from Venezuela and I think your ideas are wonderful. I’m preparing my daughter’s cake for her baptism and I consider this very useful
Thanks a lot!
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Hi & welcome Mari-Caracas.
Good luck with the cake for your daughter’s baptism.
Louise
January 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hi Im just wanting to know how sturdy it would be. I need to make one for my sil’s wedding. It will hold about 250 cupcakes and then a 6inch cake on the top for the cake cutting. Thank you for any advice. This is my 1st wedding that im doing.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I just wanted to say that you are BRILLIANT! I needed multi-tiered trays for my daughter’s wedding reception and I’ve seen the ones made from dishes but I do’t have have anything suitable that’s not already being used. I’m going to make a few of these for tea sandwiches instead of cupcakes. Thanks for the idea!
February 11th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I am actually asking the same question as the last anonymous person, only I would like to know about how many cupcakes each stand would hold and what your thoughts were on building a stand big enough to hold them all. I think we will have about 150 cupcakes plus a small 2 tier cake for the cake cutting and anniversary tier. I believe we will have the cake on a separate stand, but the cupcakes… I just am not sure how to get that many on one stand of if I should build more than one.
any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Many of you ask me how many cupcakes this cupcake stand would hold and how large it can be made.
I think I have writen it here in the comment section ( so please scroll up)
But I personally would not make it more than 5 tiers then I would rather go with one made in acrylic. Just to be sure that it is stable.
Now cupcakes dont weigh that much but its better to be on the safe side. You can always place the rest of the cupcakes around the cake stand or make two cake stands maybe?.
Great link to acrylic cupcake stands http://www.cake-stand.co.uk/category/34.aspx
February 19th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I just found another link on how to make your own square cake stand. I think the original design is from one of Martha Stewarts magazines. http://images.google.dk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.k-boutique.com/images/cupcakestand.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.k-boutique.com/g_wedding.html&h=344&w=281&sz=12&hl=da&start=3&sig2=Q7aGXkDio0R-F6YfDcdbFQ&tbnid=7mVqkPqUPWdCBM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=98&ei=pt66R72VGJXWgQKHoPToDQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcupcake%2Bstand%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Dda
Have a great day
Louise
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Thanks Louise for this great tutorial. Here you have my own stand and cupcakes. 12” - 10” and 8” cake drum make a stand where I could put 24-25 cupcakes.
My stand:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/MEDRO13/100_2444.jpg
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
That is really pretty Marie-Eve.
It is also nice to hear how many cupcakes you could have on your stand.
Thank you so much for letting me see it.
Louise
February 29th, 2008 at 8:04 am
hello Louise, thanks you for your kindness to sharing this wonderful tutorial! i am so happy that i found this tutorial, my friend are looking for a cake stand like this for her little girl’s birthday party, and i think this is the one! thanks for your brilliant idea and may i link this tutorial link to my blog? i want to share it to my friends too^_^
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:16 am
Hi Louise,
Thank you for your ideas..very well thinking. Thank you again.
March 5th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi evangelione,
Your welcome, please share the link with your friends.
THX nomie!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Hi Louise,
Would you have any idea if the top tier can hold an 8″ cake?
Thanks,
May
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Hi May,
If it should be able to hold an 8″ cake the Polysthyrene columns should be 7″ to give the support and I dont think that I would make it more than a three tier due to the stability of the cake stand.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Hi, wow, am new to this website and i dont believe how helpful it is. This cupcake tower is amaaaaazing, i just wish i saw it a few weeks ago for my brothers wedding. Faaaantastic ;o)
April 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
This is such a cute idea — I need something like this for a 50th birthday party. I was wondering, do you secure the layers together with anything to keep them secure so they don’t separate? I’m thinking about giving it a try, but want to be sure it doesn’t come apart. Very cute!!!
April 7th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Karen: Thanks! You can secure the layers with either strong glue or double sided tape? only just remeber to make sure that the columns stand i the middel. Good luck.
April 15th, 2008 at 3:11 am
Do you have any pictures of this cupcake stand with cupcakes on it?
April 15th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Renee: No I am sorry I have not taken pictures of it when it was used. But you can see some of the photos I have recieved from people who have made the cake stand:
http://www.cakejournal.com/archives/cupcakes-on-display/
http://www.cakejournal.com/archives/baby-shower-cake-stand/
April 15th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Louise!
I just have to tell you how grateful I am for your wonderful instructions. I was dead set on making my own cupcake tower for my daughters 1st birthday because I couldn’t find anything that I liked.. I didn’t have a particular theme as much as just colors… I am a brown/pink/blue/green NUT!
I am not a very crafty person but your instructions were so great that I decided to give it a try. I got tons of compliments and it has inspired my “crafty” side. Thanks again!
Here are some pics of my tower.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n160/1stXmama0413/Finns%20Birthday/100_2344.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n160/1stXmama0413/Finns%20Birthday/100_2275.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n160/1stXmama0413/Finns%20Birthday/100_2274.jpg
April 16th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Great idea. I have been searching for a stand to place krispy kreme doughnuts on for the grooms ‘cake’ at my wedding. This should work out to be great. Do you think that it would work out with the doughnuts?
April 17th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Kellie: Yes I think it would. Great idea!!
April 17th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Hi Louise—I am in love with this cupcake stand and I plan on making one for my daughters 3rd birthday–I was wondering if there was any way you could tell me where you found the adorable polka dot wrapping paper?
April 20th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I just stumbled onto your website earlier in the week. You are amazing! I made a stand this week and tried my hand at poured fondant. I need more practice but I am excited to have something new to try. Thank you for all your wonderful instructions.
April 20th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Hilary: I got mine from our lokal craft store. So if you have one of those then try and look there. Scrabbooking paper is also good to use.
Misty: I am glad that found my site and i am glad that I can inspire you to try out something new
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 am
You are a genius! I’m hosting a couple’s wedding shower with Blue and Pink cupcakes, so I wanted a stand with color. Now I can choose my own! Plus, the cost to make is significanly lower than to buy. Great job Louise. : ))
April 24th, 2008 at 11:40 am
You’ve got one girl here all out to make one soon!! Will let you know how it goes with an update!
April 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
thank you so much, i am planning my first babyshower and this will really make it special for my guests! thank you forever thank you!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Ingrid, Eunice & Nova: I hope that you all will have fun making the cake stand. I would love to see photos as well please:-)
May 13th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Hi, thanks for this gorgeous idea. I’m thinking of making this for my wedding but instead of paper, sticking oilcloth to the cake boards so that it’s easy to clean. Do you think the glue will work okay with this?
Thanks and best wishes!
May 13th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Hi! Thanks for this wonderful idea. I’m in the process of making two for my wedding, but instead of sticking paper to the cake boards, I’m wondering if oilcloth will work okay with the glue? I thought this would be useful as it’s easy to clean. Any ideas?
Thanks and best wishes
May 14th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Hi,
Hmm I would use an all round school glue (not stick) they should be working with the oilcloth texture.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Hello Louise,
I just wanted to thank you for putting up this tutoring. I made a cupcake stand for my pre-wedding reception with friends before my actual wedding date. Everyone loved the cupcake stand and the cupcakes. Some people did not even realized that it was home made.
Here’s the link to the picture. Thanks once again.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63881557@N00/2495413021/
May 16th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Jung: That is very pretty. Very Martha Stewart like.
Good luck with the wedding and happy wishes.
May 19th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Thanks for sharing ……..
May 19th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hey there,
I’m not entirely convinced the school glue will work as the store sent me a sample and it peels off with a little bit of a tug. Do you know of something I could use to maybe stick through the whole stand to make sure it stays together? E.g. skewers (but something stronger of course).
Thanks very much!
May 19th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Hi: I would only use school glue for the paper/ribbon. If you want to secure the whole stand then use hot glue or double adhesive carpet tape. I have tried with skewers but did not get a good result.
May 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Sorry I should probably have specified that I was talking about getting oilcloth to stick on the cake boards and dummies, but thanks! I’ll try your suggestions
May 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Oh.. ok! Use the double sided tape. Do let me know how it works.
May 20th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Fifi: Cheers!
May 20th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Hi,Louise
I want say thank you for your sharing your wonderful work with oss.I have also one question.I`m sorry for my bad english…:-) but i wonder if those cake boards are made with paper.Because I leave in the place where I can’t find those kind of things.I must explain very well…thank you for your help…
May 20th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Iara:
The cake boards are made of masonite. You can buy cake boards from most cake decorating shops. I buy mine from cake decorating shops in the UK.
May 20th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
hi what a great idea love the colours too
sophie
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 am
thank you so much for posting this great tuturial i will try to make one, hope i can do it perfectly! LOL
take care! 
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Thank you so much…jeg will really try this one…Perfect!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Iara: Have fun with it:-)
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Thank you so much for posting how to make this cake stand. I recently made a stand of my own for a baby shower and it worked out perfectly.
http://casualchicliving.blogspot.com/2008/05/mod-mom-baby-shower.html
Thank you so much!
May 24th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Hello:)
I make wedding cakes. Do you think using a wood rod(dowl) just like you would in a multi layered cake? When I build my cakes I put a very long wood rod through the whole cake before I put the top layer and and then put the layer on. This makes the cake very stable from tipping. Could i do this with the cupcake tower? I am going to make a five layer stand.
http://www.pinkladycakes.blogspot.com
May 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Theresa: Thank you for showing me your cupcake tower. Both tower, cupcakes
and colors are beautiful.
Would you share with me where you got the materials from??
Louise
May 26th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Shara: You should be able to do it. Just make sure that the dowl goes straight in the middle so it will stand up straight.
May 30th, 2008 at 2:16 am
I got most of my supplies from a local cake/bakery supply store in Akron, Ohio. They no longer carry cake drums so I used three cardboard cakeboards and glued them together to get the desired width for each tier. The tier sizes I used were 8 inches, 12 inches & 14 inches. There is a 9 inch three high section under the bottom tier to give the whole tower lift so it wasn’t flat on the table.
I purchased shiny quilted paper at a local discount store, that is what I covered each tier with.
The ribbon to cover the cake drums and trim each tier was purchased at Jo Ann Fabrics.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Hello:)
One more question. I can order the Styrofoam cake dummies in different heights. Do i have to order two 2″ cake dummies or can I just order one 4″ tall cake dummie and forget about gluing them together? Here is the site I found the cake dummies on. They have a lot of sizes.
http://www.guildcraftfurniture.com/cake_dummies.html
Thank you for your prior reply,
Shara
June 1st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Theresa: Thank you so much. It is always nice to know where I can advise too.
Shara: If you can get cake dummies 4″ high then use those offcourse to save some time:-) thank you for the link also.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:51 am
WOW!!! This is awsome! I would have never thought of making one, and it’s so cute and afordable. I was looking for one but they’re so expensive. Thank You so much for sharing this with all of us! God Bless You!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:59 am
very cool!
June 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Thank you Big Mama
June 10th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I have made 3 of these but made a few changes. Instead of using ribbon on the styrofoam I have been buying 1/2 yd of fabric and draping it around. It is cheaper than ribbon and very easy to customize. I also have not been gluing the ribbon or fabric, rather , I have been using pearl top strait pins. They look cute and it makes it easier to change the tier to something else. I have 2 stands and have been using those to change the theme. I did not want a garage full of these so this will do for me. Thak you so much. I have a link to your site on my blog! See my pics here or on my blog
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/chellemichel/SBtiercupcakes.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/chellemichel/SexInTheCityMovieParty6.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/chellemichel/SexInTheCityMovieParty3.jpgg
June 10th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
The last link did n’t stick so here is the third one I made- sorry.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e233/chellemichel/SexInTheCityMovieParty3.jpg
June 11th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hi Michelle,
So cool to see photos of the fantastic work you have done with the stands. I like your ideas of the draped fabric and the pins!! and I am sure the rest of the readers do to.
June 12th, 2008 at 8:52 am
OMG thank you so much, I have been looking for something like this for my wedding cake. I use to work in a bakery and Mrs. Fields Cookie Co., and I fell in love with decorating and am pretty good at it. Well I was wondering if you could email me so I could send you a pic of how i want my wedding (cupcake) cake to look like. i found a pic on the net and couldnt think of how to make the stand. its square instead of circle and the cupcakes are in lil clear favor boxes with ribbon wraped around them. so if you could email me so i could send you a pic and maybe you can give me some advice on how to accomplish it!!! thanks anthonyandreagabbi@yahoo.com
June 12th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I absolutely loved this idea. I made two for my daughters baby shower. I’ve posted a link to see some pictures. Everyones look beautiful!
liser40
June 14th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Andrea: Please do so. I would love to see if I can be at any help.
liser 40: So glad you could use it. I would love to see some pictures. You can email them to me if you like?
June 15th, 2008 at 3:10 am
hi. wow, this looks great. i was wondering what size cake dummies you used for your 7″ 10″ 13″ boards.. many thanks. beautiful work!
June 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Here is a link to my cake blog to view pics of my tower. Mocha and Coconut Cupcakes. With chocolate covered Almonds, Peanuts.
It was at the Calistoga Ranch in the Napa Wine Country.
Enjoy,
Shara
http://pinkladycakes.blogspot.com/search/label/Cupcakes
June 15th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I am writing the text for the Post tonight. So I will put a link to your site and give you credit for the idea as well.
Best,
Shara
June 17th, 2008 at 2:36 am
Thanx alot…i love this.
I actually adapted this idea to create a “gift tower”…
for a baby shower…this is awesome info
June 20th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Lesli: I used 5″ & 6″
Shara: It is a very lovely display & thatnk you for the link to your blog:-)
Caresse: What a great idea to turn it into a gift tower. Do you have any photos of it?? I would love to see.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi Louise,
Thanks for your tutorial. You are the only one on the net to have this wonderful piece of information! I was wondering if white styrofoam pieces at my craft store can be used in place of cake dummies? Do you think that will work?
Also, I am worried that after I assemble all of the pieces, it will not be stable. Is there anything additional that I should add to it to ensure it will not fall apart - like inserting a small wooden rod down the center?
Thanks much!
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
annette: There should be no problem using the other styrofoam. You can glue it with a hot glue gun and use a small wooden rod in the center for extra safety.
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:40 am
Thank you so much for posting this! I have been looking everywhere for a cupcake stand that I can make my self. I am using it for my wedding!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi louise, thx for the very useful tutorial. Plis visit my blog http://mamadirumah.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/the-very-first-unpaid-wedding-cup-cakes/ to see my cake stand. I followed every step you made on this tutorial. Maybe you will be a little bit lost in translation, but i hope you can enjoy the pics. Thx again louise ^_^
June 26th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Mandi: Your welcome
endhy: Thanks and you too are so welcome. Great pics!
June 28th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hi!:) You’re site is really really really great
Of course this idea has helped us a whole lot since we couldn’t find cupcake towers which were reasonably priced or aesthetic enough!
Thank you very much for sharing this idea, here’s a pic of the tower we made based on your work
http://images.frupcakes.multiply.com/image/14/photos/95/600×600/21/IMG_7339.JPG?et=kg7Vj7CKxzg8nqOmQrfPaA&nmid=103032689
thanks again
June 28th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Clarissa: I love the way you made the tower. With the thick tiers i guess that you used cake dummies for that???
June 30th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thanks for the idea. I couldn’t find anything to suit my needs. I have two girls and needed something to hold a lot of cupcakes for a luau. Your idea was perfect.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Dorinda: If you have a photo of the cake stand I would love to see it. as I am making a readers cakestand gallery. Thanks!
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 am
Hi Louise! My twins 1st birthday commenced last Saturday and i made two cupcake stands for them, inspired by this site of course
I had a difficult time finding the right materials here, so I just cut-out cardboard boxes and wrapped them with cartolina and satin ribbon. Here’s a picture:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2483916340080638636PZIMZA
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hi Jovie: They look great. I would love if I could use the photo in my cake stand gallery?
You can email the photo to me along with your name and whee you are from.
Thanks!
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:56 am
hi louise! i was wondering how many cupcake does a tier the size you used for example hold?
July 4th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Thanks Louise!
Yes I would love to send you a copy.. Kindly give me your email address.. Here’s another shot of the stands with the cupcakes..
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2136736980080638636JqoCNL
BTW, I’m from the Philippines.
July 4th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Vinick: It can hold around 40 regular cupcakes with 4 tiers and around 54 regular with 5 tiers.
Jovie: GREAT!!!! You can find my mail if you look just above the “CakeJournal” banner you will find a contact link.
July 4th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Did you use a thicker cake board ? As I bought cake boards today but they were just thin ones.
Thanks,
Sacha
July 4th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Sacha: I get my cake boards from the UK and there they call the “thick” ones for drum. You can use thinner ones as long as they are firm and stable.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Hi Louise!
I already sent you an email with the photo of my cupcake stands 
Let me know if you were able to receive it.. Have a nice day! 
July 9th, 2008 at 7:21 am
hi louise!
I finally found a website where I can oder everything I need to build a 4-tier cupcake stand. I was planning to use 10″,12″,14″, and 16″ drums and wasn’t sure what size dummies I should use. Do u think I should use 6″,8″, and 10″ ?Would there be enough room to place the cupcakes on there because of the large diameter dummies? Thanks!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
This is AWESOME!! I started googling cupcake stands online and wha-la… there you were. I’m making yummy strawberry cupcakes for my friend’s bridal shower in a few weeks and this will be a very cool way to display them! I’m excited! Thanks for posting this!!
July 12th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Jovie: Yes thank you I have just been away on holiday so I will upload them soon;-)
Vinick: I would use 6″, 7″ & 8″ dummies. Do you mind sharing where you can get all the materials from??
Christina: Glad to help. Remember that you can have your cake stand photo added to the cake stand gallery.
July 14th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Hello
So happy i found this for an upcoming wedding I am doing (my first!) Any cost averages for building this from those who have already done so? Also, time to create from start to finish?
Thanks!
July 16th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Thank you so much for this idea! I altered your tutorial a bit to make 8 centerpiece stands for my wedding. I had a hard time finding cake dummies, but stumbled upon mini lamp shades instead! They worked perfectly for my smaller versions! I only did 2 tiers to hold mini African violet favors for the guests seated at each table. No one could belive these were hand made!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmgallo/2671565365/
July 16th, 2008 at 1:56 am
p.s. for anyone who could not find thicker cake boards, neither could I! I just used spray adhesive to glue 2 thin boards together. Then I mod-podged tissue paper over the top and edges to seal them, and added the ribbon. It was an extra few steps, but it was the only way to achieve the look I wanted! Plus it added a fun texture which I accented with lots of glitter. Sprakle makes everything better!
July 17th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Joanna: Fantastic cute with the flower centerpieces.
July 19th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hello Louise, I was wondering if you could give me any tips on how to combat grease marks on the paper? My cupcakes have oil in them and they tend to make the cases greasy, and I am worrying about the wrapping paper I am using on the stand. The paper is secured to the stand, so is there anything I could cover it in to protect it? Varnish? Sticky-back plastic? I hope you can help
- Kim.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:02 am
Hi Louise,
I am thinking of making a 4 tier cake stand. My top cake board is 10 inches. I was thinking of making a 10″, 11″, 12″ and 13″ stand. And if so, what size dummies should I use? Do you know how many cupcakes (roughly) would I be able to fit onto the 11″, 12″ and 13″ boards?
Thanks.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Kim Wedlock: Well if you dont want to put on new paper from time to time. The the only thing is to protect it with the sticky back plastic.
Samantha: I think it looks best when the boards jump 2″ like 10″, 12″, 14″ & 16″ and then have dummies in the sizes: 6″, 7″ & 8″.
If you have a 4 tier stand (8″, 10″, 12″, 14″) it can hold around 40 reg. CC’s, 54 if you have 5 tiers (16″)
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:59 am
Thank you Louise for your feedback.
My top cake consists of a 20cm cake. I would assume that a 20cm cake sits on a 10″ board. If I am not wrong, you have previously mentioned in one of your comments that if it is a cake sitting on a board, you would recommend a 7″ dummy to support it?
If this is the case, would 10″, 11″, 12″ and 14″ cake boards work for me? can I still use the dummy measurements of 7″, 8″ and 9″ or is it better to use 7″, 7″ and 8″?
July 25th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Samantha: use the dummies: 7″, 8″, 9″ I think that will look the best.
July 25th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Hiya! I posted here some time ago about using oilcloth for the stands? Well, it worked a treat with strong double-sided tape (from DIY shops) and oilcloth means it can be wiped clean and used over and over again. Here’s a picture from my facebook page…the album is on a high privacy setting so hope you can still see it. If not, let me know. Mine was based on a few ideas from here, so thanks everyone for their part in this! It made a great cake display for our wedding
(held at home, hence office chair, lamp and notice board in pic, hehe)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3639031&id=670720330
July 25th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Hiya! I posted here some time ago with my idea about using oilcloth for the stands? Well, it worked a treat with strong double-sided tape (from DIY shops) and oilcloth means it can be wiped clean and used over and over again. Here’s a picture from my facebook page…the album is on a high privacy setting so hope you can still see it. If not, let me know. Mine was based on a few ideas from here, so thanks everyone for their part in this! It made a great cake display for our wedding
(held at home, hence office chair, lamp and notice board in pic, hehe)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3639031&id=670720330
July 26th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Hello,
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
It is my daughter’s 30th birthday next month and I have searched high and low for a decent cup cake stand. I do not like any of the ones for sale and they are quite expensive. This stand is perfect, it looks the business and is so cost effective. Once again, thank you for this and I am really glad I found it on the net.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Thanks for the wonderful idea!!!!! I decided to make cupcakes for my daughter’s baby shower & having been going crazy trying to find a nice large “affordable” cupcake stand (they do not exist). I am pretty crafty so when I saw your stand I was ecstatic. I can’t wait to start it!!!!!! Wish me luck.
Thanks Again, Roxy
July 27th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Great info! We’re going to make a stand for our wedding this summer and I’m looking for the supplies. This company has good prices, but the cake dummies are 3″. Would one of those between each tier be sufficient, or would we need to put two together to go up to 6″?
July 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Whoops! I meant this company:
http://www.craftcompany.co.uk
July 27th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Hi everyone,
I posted here a while ago about attaching oilcloth to the cake stands and it worked a treat when I made two for my wedding recently. I used double-sided tape from DIY shops and it means they can be wiped clean and used over and over, no problem. Downside though, I guess is that the design can’t really be changed (I suppose a different paper/ fabric could be pinned on). I really like some readers’ ideas here with the fabric draping the supports etc. Anyway, mine were based on some earlier ideas posted by other readers (and Louise’s tutorial, of course) so thanks very much everyone!
Here’s the link to a picture from my facebook page - it’s on a private setting so do let me know if it can’t be accessed from here http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3639031&id=670720330
July 31st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
HI Everyone! I just wanted to say that I’m SO looking forward to making these! I am having cupcakes for my wedding - 3 different flavors, so I’m making 3 different stands…to coordinate with my wedding colors. I found a great inexpensive website to purchase the cake dummies from…
http://www.guildcraftfurniture.com/cake_dummies.html
They have just about every shape and size you could possibly imagine!
I’ll post pics as soon as I get the stands made (probably around the end of august).
Have fun!
July 31st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Kathleen: Enjoy the fun making the ckae stand. I bet your daughter will love it.
Roxy: Good luck
Kat: 3″ will not be enough unless you make very flat cupcakes. Use two so you get 6″ I dont think that will look bad. Also thx for the link!
Tracy: Cool to hear about the oil cloth on the cake stand and the photo is great.
Carlene: I will look forward to see the photos and good to know about the cake dummies, I will remember that.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Making 250 cupcakes for duaghter’s sweet sixteen oriental theme any Ideas on how many cupcake stands I would need to make and the sizes I need. also any crafty ideas on decorating stans for oriental look?
I live in Puerto Rico craft stores are hard to find will have them shipped from stateside (Materials)
THANKS
August 5th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Jeamandy: it can hold around 54 cupcakes with 5 tiers (Boards: 8″, 10″, 12″, 14″ & 16″) (Dummies: 5″, 6″, 7″ & 8″) you can place thes rest of the cupcakes on the table. try look at the cake stand gallery on the site for insperation on how to display the stand and the cupcakes)
For an orientel look I would use strong and bright colors like pink, warm red, orange, green and maybe black? Use ribbon trimmings on the boards and maybe also decorate with real or fake orchids.
I dont know if thats what you had in mind?