How to Make a Faux Cake from Thrifted Cookie Tins

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Thrifting is an adventure, which yields unexpected and unique results. Sometimes thrifted goodies need to be looked at with a disearning eye, looking past the piece itself and its intended use. Thrifts have a plethora of craft and DIY potential with some creative TLC. Come on in and join me as we “bake” a cake from repurposed cookie tins.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins Pinterest

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The Thrifted Goodies series consists of monthly posts where my friend,  Rachel, from the Antiqued Journey, and I share thrift store intel. Topics might include particular finds, tips, stylings, techniques, up-cycles, and general advice about thrift shopping mostly for home decor in general. Some months we invite a guest host. Thank you for joining us.

Today I am sharing how to use thrifted cookie tins to create the most amazing faux cake. With a simple paint treatment and some embellishments, presto! You have a charming faux cake for a fun and unexpected decor piece and a new element for all your styling needs.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Rachel is sharing brilliant thrifted finds in her area. She always finds the most amazing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post. If you don’t know Rachel yet, when you are done here, head over to visit Rachel and introduce yourself, while you check out her brilliant thrifted finds in the Minneapolis area post.

You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow:

Sometimes we have triple the fun with a guest host for the series. Today is one of those bonus days and we have Carol from Blue Sky At Home joining us with more thrifting insight. Carol has a fabulous style and wonderful creative ideas. Today Carol is sharing how to update a vintage step stool.

You can also find Carol in her other spaces; give her a follow:

If you are coming over from Rachel or Carol’s place, welcome! I am so glad you are here today, and I hope you enjoy yourself. Drop me a comment down below and introduce yourself. I would love to hear from you.

MaryJo behind the blog

Cookie tins can always be found at thrift stores. The key for this project is finding three cookie tins, which are gradual in size so they can be stacked mimicking cake tiers. From there paint and embellish, bringing the faux cake to life. Let’s get crafty!

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins
  • 3 Assorted Cookie Tins in increasing sizes
  • White Spray Paint
  • White Chalk Paint
  • Dried Roses
  • Pearl Ribbon
  • Crafting Pearls
How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins
  • Paint Brush
  • Hot Glue Gun & Glue Gun Glue Sticks
  • Silicone Funger Protectors
  • Crafting Tweezers

Crafting Pro Tip: Read all the instructions through once and then re-read everything again. This way, you are familiar with everything you need and know what to expect.

  • Read instructions thoroughly and assemble all supplies & tools
  • Clean cookie tins, making sure all surfaces are fresh for faux treatment
  • Remove lids from tins
  • Apply a layer of white spray paint on lids and sides of cookie tins
  • Allow first layer of paint to dry on all surfaces
  • Place lids on respective tins so each set is assembled
How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins
  • Using paint brush, apply white chalk paint to each cookie tin for a second layer
  • Allow paint to dry thoroughly
  • Once paint is dry, stack tins so the lid seam is lined in unison for all three tins
  • Using hot glue gun, adhere tins stacked from largest to smallest resembling a tiered cake
  • Set aside to allow glue to set
  • Cut pearl ribbon to size around the lip of each lid
  • Using hot glue gun adhere pearl ribbon to each lid edge, aligning ribbon seam with lid seam
  • Layer dried roses cascading down side of tiers of faux tin cake, covering the seams
  • Use hot glue gun to adhere dried roses to tins and each other
How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins
  • Using hot glue gun, attach pearl accents around roses to fill in gaps and add dimension
  • Once glue is set and all embellishments are secure, clean any stray glue strings with crafting tweezers
  • Voila! Style your faux cake in unique ways around your home
How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

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Paint is layered to give the cake texture and emulate cake frosting. The spray paint is a 2 in 1 product, which includes primer and paint. The primer is a good bonus for full coverage over the graphics on the tins. The chalk paint adds another layer of coverage plus full consistency. Application with a brush adds additional texture. I had both of these paints on hand in the garage, which I always appreciate using up existing supplies.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Dried roses and pearls give this cake a bridal feel, which is an aesthetic that always speaks to me. Feel free to use embellishments which are your style and you have on hand. I already had the dried roses and pearl accents on hand so I didn’t have to purchase anything for this particular project. Artificial flowers are a great alternative to decorate a faux cake.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Why a faux cake? It’s a super unique piece to decorate a kitchen space, whether in a hutch or on a counter or as a focal piece on an island. It’s also a great decor piece for a party and special gathering, adding character to the desserts display or as a special token in a festive vignette. It goes without saying, this would be a fabulous piece for an actual wedding as a decorative accent. This will be a versatile styling piece around here, and it will pop up in many tables capes. Have fun with a new toy and play around.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at the potential of an item beyond its current state or condition. Items can be altered, up-cycled and recreated with TLC, elevating them to a trend forward piece.

I share thrifted treasures throughout my home regularly and this was a fun project to put together. Thrift finds give your home a unique look and are budget friendly. This project was quick, easy and affordable.

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

For many of the items I pick up at thrifts I have plans for stylings, up-cycles and DIY projects, but for others I simply pick them up just because they speak to me. These pieces eventually find a home or fill a purpose. I hoped you enjoyed this installment of the thrifted goodies series. There’s plenty of thrift focus content scheduled for the upcoming months.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Make a list of items you would like to find while thrifting on your phone, and you will always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift. Update the list regularly as you find treasures and seek others. Have fun!

Don’t forget to hop over and visit my thrifty friends Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey and Carol @ Blue Sky at Home for more thrifting inspiration. Thank you for being here today. Au revoir!

How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins

Shopping Note

I included *affiliate links here to some of the items I used or that are very similar for your convenience. If there’s something you are looking for, which you don’t see here, please drop me a note or leave me a comment down below. I’m happy to help.

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How to Make A Faux Cake from thrifted Cake Tins Pinterest

Before You Go

I appreciate your visit, comments and shares here on the blog! I would love it if you would also follow along in my other spaces for all the inspiration, ideas and innovation.

Join Me as We Master the Art of Joie De Vivre. XOXO



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14 Comments

  1. What a great project and beautifully executed. You could do so many different variations on this theme. Thanks for the idea and the directions.
    Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland

  2. Maryjo, this recycled project is so fun and pretty. It would make a great centerpiece for a bridal shower. I have a couple of tims that I need to make into something special. Thanks for the inspiration and having me join this month’s Thrifted Goodies.

    1. Thanks so much for joining us Carol. I’m glad you enjoyed the cake and let me know if you decide to make one. I always wish we could all get together and craft. XO- MJ

  3. Hi MaryJo! This turned out so fabulous! The dried roses and pearls are absolutely gorgeous! This is a wonderful trash to treasure DIY!! Most people would just toss those type of tins and roses too! Love your creativity!!

  4. Oh, my goodness, MaryJo! This is gorgeous!! What an absolutely darling idea! Pinning. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this post at our month-long Will Blog for Comments #65 linkup. We’ll be back to our regular schedule now, so #66 opens Monday morning. Hope to see you there.