Maddie James
Cake candles are a fun and simple DIY project that can be made for half the price of a store-bought alternative. They are made from a pillar base, typically a 4- to 5-inch tall fat pillar, and then coated with matching wax to create a textured frosting effect. You can also make your own professional-looking cake boxes inexpensively, which is especially useful if your cake is too tall for a standard box.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | $15-20 for store-bought; half price or less for homemade |
| Time | 1-2 hours |
| Materials | Wax, dye, scent, wire whisk, knife, fork, spatula, etc. |
| Box | Inexpensive, quick and easy to make |
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What You'll Learn
Making a cake candle
Materials and Preparation:
Firstly, gather your materials. You will need a "cake" candle base, matching wax for the "frosting", a wire whisk, a knife, fork, spatula, and any desired dye or scent. You can either make your own candle base or purchase a pre-made one, depending on your preference and budget. If you're using plain wax for your frosting, you'll need to add dye and scent to match your cake base.
Melting the Wax:
Set up a double boiler and place your wax inside. If you're using dye, add a few shavings of a colour block to the melting wax. Be careful not to completely melt the wax; you want it to be half-melted and clumpy to achieve a frosting-like texture. Once the wax is semi-melted, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool.
Frosting the Candle:
Prepare your work surface by covering it with wax paper. Keep an eye on the wax, and when you see a ""skin" forming on top, it's ready for whipping. Use a wire whisk to whip the wax until it reaches a frosting-like consistency. Work quickly, as the wax will harden once it's out of the pot. Use a spatula or another tool to spread the wax on top and around the sides of the cake base. Use a knife, spoon, or fork to create the final frosting texture, being careful not to bury the wicks.
Decorating:
Add any desired decorations, such as sprinkles or glitter, to make your candle look even more scrumptious. You can also add a wick by securing it with hot glue in the centre of the frosting.
Your cake candle is now ready! You can package it in a clear bag tied with a ribbon or present it in a bakery-style cupcake box. Enjoy your homemade creation, but remember, don't be tempted to take a bite!
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Creating a professional-looking custom cake box
Materials and Preparation:
Firstly, gather the required materials. Shani Christenson, an ACD Instructor and owner of Shani's Sweet Creations, suggests using craft-coloured boxes as they are more affordable than white boxes. You can also choose between different types of cardboard thicknesses, ranging from 16pt to 24pt, to ensure the sturdiness of the box.
Design and Customization:
Measure the size of your cake, including the cake board, to determine the dimensions of your box. You can then design the box with tailored sizes and shapes to fit your cake perfectly. Consider adding a handle or a die-cut window to enhance the customer experience and make your box more functional and attractive.
Printing and Embellishments:
Utilize premium printing materials and refined cardstocks to add your logo or full-colour imprint to the box. You can also explore advanced offset print methods and embellishing techniques to create captivating designs. Don't forget to check out free template options and 3D rendering services to visualize your logo cake boxes before production.
Final Assembly:
After printing and designing your box, carefully assemble it by folding and securing the flaps. Ensure that the box is sturdy and that any handles or windows are properly attached. Now you have a professional-looking custom cake box that is sure to impress!
With these steps, you can create beautiful and functional cake boxes that showcase your brand or personal touch. Don't be afraid to experiment with different designs and customization options to make your cake boxes truly unique.
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Using a cake board
Choosing the Right Cake Board
Select a cake board that is at least a couple of inches larger than your cake. This will provide ample space for the frosting, decorations, and candle. If your cake has multiple tiers, consider using a larger and sturdier board, such as plywood or masonite, to support the weight and provide stability.
Preparing the Cake Board
Start by placing your cake on the centre of the board. If you're using a cardboard cake board, you can decorate it with wrapping paper or decorative paper to match your cake's theme. Cover the board with food-safe sheet cellophane, cutting it larger than the board, and tape it underneath. You can also add a non-skid mat on top of the board to prevent the cake from sliding around during transport.
Assembling the Cake Box
Now that your cake is securely on the board, you can assemble the cake box around it. Place the cake, on its board, on the flat bottom of the box, and then build up the sides and tape the box closed. If your box is slightly larger than the board, use a non-skid mat inside the box to prevent movement.
Transporting Your Cake
When transporting your cake, it's essential to keep it on a flat, level surface, such as the trunk of your car. Avoid placing it on a slanted surface, as it may cause the cake to slide off the board. Keep temperature in mind—cakes should be kept cool to prevent melting, and protected from freezing temperatures.
Final Checks and Presentation
Once you've arrived at your destination, cut open the side of the box and slide the cake out gently. Before presenting the cake, do a final spot check to ensure no repairs are needed. Add any candles or final decorations, and you're ready to amaze your audience!
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Making a Shaker candle box
Shaker candle boxes have historically ranged from simple and crude construction with butt joints and nails to more sophisticated designs with elegant dovetails. The design outlined here is a mixture of several designs and features rabbeted and nailed corners, which are easy to build and attractive. The sliding top with a carved finger pull is straightforward and practical. Pine is a good choice of wood for this project as it is easy to work with and wears gracefully.
To make a Shaker candle box, you will need to first decide on the interior dimensions. Make the interior big enough to hold what you want, then add space to fit a finger inside to pull the contents out. The box should be a few inches wider and longer than a business envelope.
- Rip grooves on the outside face (the face that will be outside of the box when assembled).
- Cut grooves on the ends using the miter fence as a guide.
- Finish the rabbets on the ends by pulling the workpiece away from the rip fence and cutting away the waste.
- If the rabbet is too thick to fit in the groove easily, use a shoulder plane to shave it down and use a bench hook to hold the piece. Take light passes and check the fit often until each side and each end fits snugly into the appropriate groove.
- Crosscut each piece to length. For the sides and ends, use a stop block to ensure both pieces are the same length and that your box will be rectangular.
- Orient the sides and ends the way you want them when the box is finished. Label each joint with letters or numbers. Pine dents easily, so use a light touch or your marks will be hard to sand out. Label the outside face of each piece. These markings will help you avoid the mistake of cutting the rabbets on the wrong side of the board.
- Set the blade just less than 1/4 in. high. If the blade cuts a 1/8-in. kerf, then set your fence just less than 1/8 in. from the blade (the blade kerf and distance to the fence should add up to 1/4 in.). Make test cuts with a piece of scrap until you cut perfect 1/4-in. by 1/4-in. rabbets. It will take two passes to cut the rabbet with a 1/8-in. blade. For the first cut, the workpiece should be tight to the fence. For the second cut, move the workpiece 1/8 in. away from the fence, essentially flush with the blade.
- After cutting the rabbets, leave the blade height at 1/4 in. Set the rip fence 1/4 in. from the blade.
- Rip the 1/8-in.-wide groove for the top on both side pieces and only one end piece.
The overall length of the box will likely be around 12-13 inches, with a width and height of 4-5 inches.
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Using a pre-made candle
If you're using a pre-made candle, you can follow these steps to create a cake candle:
Firstly, you'll need to select a candle with a tall, fat pillar, typically 4 to 5 inches in height. This will serve as the base of your cake candle. You can often find pillar candles in sets, which can be more cost-effective than buying the individual materials separately.
Next, you'll need to melt down some matching wax to create the "frosting" effect. This can be done using a double boiler or a makeshift setup with a pot inside another pot on top of a trivet. Be sure to melt the wax safely and never leave it unattended while melting.
Once the wax is melted, remove it from the heat and let it cool. Keep an eye on it, as you'll need to work quickly once it reaches the right stage. Prepare your work surface by covering it with wax paper.
When you see a "skin" starting to form on the top of the melted wax, it's ready to be whipped. Use a wire whisk to thicken the wax, just like you would with real cake frosting. Once it reaches a similar consistency, use a spatula or another tool to scoop it out of the pot.
Now, spread the wax on top of the pre-made candle, working in small areas at a time. Be careful not to bury the wick. If your frosting hardens past a workable consistency, simply melt, cool, and whip it again.
Finally, feel free to add any decorations of your choice, such as sprinkles or glitter, to make your cake candle even more whimsical.
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Frequently asked questions
Cake candles are created from a pillar base, typically a 4- to 5-inch-tall fat pillar, and then coated with matching wax to create a textured "frosting" effect.
You can make professional-looking cake boxes that are quick, easy, and inexpensive. You can buy packing boxes from Wal-Mart for tiered cakes. You can also cover your cake boards in decorative paper so they fit in standard-size boxes.
You will need a "cake" candle base, matching wax for "frosting", a wire whisk, and a knife, fork, or spatula for frosting the cake. Melt the frosting wax in a double boiler, then use a spatula or your fingers to mound the wax on top of the candle base. You can add sprinkles or glitter to make it fancier.
