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!
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…
don’t worry about getting it perfect. the edges might appear rough but they’ll be covered up with the tissue paper!
step 2
run a bead of glue on the edge of the shape and attach the garland…
step 3
cover the entire shape but leave some space on the bottom to insert the skewer later
add sections of the tissue to the exposed cardboard with the glue. keep filling it in until completely covered…
step 4
trim it up with scissors to define the shape…
step 5
insert the skewer into the exposed cardboard…
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?
in 5 basic steps you can make a cactus cake topper for yourself…or you could try another shape too!
pop it on your cake!
i love how it makes such a big impact on a tiny dessert!
and how fun are the sipper cups to match?
fill ’em with margaritas or lemonade…even water would look special in these babies!
to keep the cake on theme, i just tucked some artificial succulents and blooms around the edge…easy & sweet!
serve up some “on point” cactus fun…
and make an easy cactus cake topper!
pin for later~
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!
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese at room temperature
- 3 sticks butter at room temperature
- 3 cups sugar
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 eggs at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 cup apricot nectar at room temperature
- 1 1/2-2 tablespoons lavender flowers
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl add the flour and salt and set aside
- 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.
- 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)
- Bake in a pre-heated oven set at 315 degrees for 1 hour and 20-30 minutes or until pick comes out clean.
- 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.
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!!
Press Print Party!
May 21
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
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!
Misha
June 4
This cake topper is the best!!🌵
Lori
June 6
Thanks so much!! And sooo easy!! 🙂
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
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!!