What you need
Dollar Tree round cardboard box (use a square round or rectangle box for your cake base)
Lightweight spackle or gap filler (this will be used as the “frosting”)
Corn Cob pet bedding (to mimic chopped nuts for the outer covering)
Piping bags and nozzles (for the decorative edges)
Small paper/foam carrots (from the Dollar Tree)
A flat tray (lined with parchment paper or foil)
Parchment paper or foil (for easy cleanup)
A cake stand or base (you can use a small round or square base for the cake to sit on)
Instructions
If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to celebrate Easter, this DIY Easter Carrot Cake craft is perfect! It’s easy to make, super cute, and the best part—it doesn’t require any baking! You’ll be using materials from the Dollar Tree and a few other simple supplies to create a faux carrot cake that looks so realistic, you’ll want to display it on your table. Let’s dive into how to make it!
Start by grabbing a Dollar Tree cardboard box (you can use any small square or rectangle). Cover the entire box with a layer of gap filler or lightweight spackle to make it look like frosting. Use a putty knife or your fingers to spread it out evenly, making sure it’s smooth on all sides. Let the filler dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Next, take a flat tray and line it with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup. Spread out your Corb Cob pet bedding—this will give your “cake” the appearance of chopped nuts. Gently roll the frosted box in the pet bedding, pressing lightly to make sure it sticks to the filler. Roll it around until the entire box is covered. Once it’s all done, take a brush and brush off any loose pieces of bedding. If there are any gaps, just dip your brush in the wet filler and carefully fill in those spots, smoothing it out as you go. Allow it to dry fully before continuing.
Now it’s time to set your cake on a base. You can use a small cake board or just a piece of cardboard. To make sure the box sits securely, apply some wet filler around the bottom edge and smooth it out. Then, fill the top with more filler, smoothing it out to create a flat surface, just like the top of a real cake.
For the finishing touches, grab a piping bag with a nozzle and pipe a decorative edge around the sides of the cake. Use a small star tip nozzle to create a pretty texture around the entire cake.
While the filler is still wet, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Grab three small paper carrots (you can find them at the Dollar Tree), and arrange them on top of the cake. Space them out evenly to give the cake a cute and realistic look. Once everything is in place, let the whole thing dry completely.
And there you have it—a super adorable Easter Carrot Cake that looks like it came straight out of a bakery! It’s a great way to decorate for the holiday without the mess of real frosting, and it’s perfect for displaying on your Easter table or gifting to someone special. We hope you have fun making this craft and that it brings a little extra cheer to your Easter celebrations! Happy crafting!
A huge thank you to Linda T.B. for sharing this adorable idea with us—we absolutely loved your version! If you try making these, let us know how they turn out. Happy crafting and Happy Easter.
What do you think of this project? Let us know!