Happy New Year, dear bakers and cake enthusiasts! As we joyfully step into 2014, our hearts are buzzing with excitement to bring you another year filled with delightful cake inspiration right here on the blog. But before we fully immerse ourselves in the fresh, new trends and innovative ideas that the new year promises, we’re taking a delightful stroll down memory lane to celebrate the absolute cream of the crop from 2013. We’ve meticulously sifted through over 200 posts published in the past twelve months, handpicking those that truly captured your hearts and imaginations the most. Our selections are not arbitrary; they are a direct reflection of your engagement—based on your enthusiastic pageviews, countless Facebook likes, and cherished Pinterest pins. This retrospective journey has already brought us to revisit the Top Recipe Posts of 2013, where we savored the most irresistible flavors and foundational baking techniques, and then indulged our visual senses with the Top Cake Designs of 2013, showcasing breathtaking artistry and innovative aesthetics. Today, we’re thrilled to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the tutorials that empowered you, inspired you, and guided you through creating edible masterpieces in your own kitchens. Get ready to be inspired all over again as we unveil the Top DIY’s of 2013!
There’s an undeniable charm and magnetic appeal to DIY projects and cake tutorials, which consistently place them at the very pinnacle of our charts. And truly, we understand why! Imagine the satisfaction of admiring a stunning cake and then, armed with clear, step-by-step instructions, being able to recreate that beauty yourself. What’s not to absolutely adore about that? The ability to transform simple ingredients into a work of art, guided by expert advice, is a truly empowering experience. The eight most beloved DIY tutorials from last year have left us feeling incredibly inspired, practically pulling us into the kitchen to start creating. These tutorials were celebrated for their ingenuity, their aesthetic appeal, and perhaps most importantly, their accessibility. The best part about this curated collection? Every single one of these incredible cakes is completely achievable, whether you’re a seasoned professional baker or just starting your journey into the wonderful world of home baking. We believe that everyone deserves the joy of crafting a beautiful cake, and these tutorials prove it’s well within reach. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at your absolute favorite DIY projects of 2013!
No. 1 : Speckled Egg Cake
Claiming the top spot in our hearts and kitchens is the utterly charming Speckled Egg Cake. This delightful creation perfectly encapsulates the fresh, delicate essence of spring, with its calming robin’s egg blue frosting beautifully contrasted by whimsical chocolate brown speckles. This DIY project soared in popularity due to its remarkably easy execution, making it a fantastic choice for bakers of all skill levels. The magic lies in its step-by-step instructions, which break down the straightforward technique into manageable parts. The core of this design is all about the splatter – a fun, artistic, and incredibly forgiving method that yields stunning, organic patterns every time. It’s a fantastic way to add a rustic yet elegant touch to any celebration, especially for Easter or springtime gatherings. This widely admired tutorial was thoughtfully created by none other than Carrie Sellman, the brilliant mind behind The Cake Blog, proving that sometimes, the simplest ideas make the biggest impact.
No. 2 : Rainbow Petal Cake
Coming in at a vibrant second is the breathtaking Rainbow Petal Cake, a true testament to how simple tools can create extraordinary results. The secret to achieving this stunning visual feast? Believe it or not, it’s just a spoon! This ingenious tutorial showcases how to transform ordinary buttercream into a magnificent rainbow of vivid, bright hues, all without the need for any specialized or expensive cake decorating tools. The beauty of this cake lies in its accessible technique, which makes creating those delicate, overlapping “petals” surprisingly easy and incredibly rewarding. The step-by-step instructions are not only impeccably clear but also incredibly inspiring, guiding you through each stage to ensure a flawless finish. This cake is perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any occasion that calls for a burst of color and pure joy. This imaginative and highly popular tutorial was expertly crafted by Kate Wagner of The Greedy Baker, inspiring countless bakers to embrace their inner artists with just a simple utensil.
No. 3 : Watercolor Cake
Capturing the third spot with its artistic elegance is the Watercolor Cake, a design that beautifully mirrors a major style trend of 2013. That year, the soft, diffused aesthetic of watercolor painting swept across the style scene, appearing everywhere from fashion to home decor, and it was only natural that this captivating trend would find its way into the exquisite world of cake design. This tutorial quickly became a favorite because it demystified the process of creating such an ethereal and sophisticated look. Readers absolutely loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at the creation process, learning how to blend colors seamlessly to achieve those delicate, translucent effects that mimic true watercolor art. It’s a versatile technique that can be adapted to any color palette, making it ideal for weddings, anniversaries, or elegant garden parties. This highly sought-after tutorial was skillfully developed by our talented contributor, Allison Kelleher of AK Cake Design, who expertly showed us how to transform a cake into a canvas of edible art.
No. 4 : Birthday Candles Cake
Illuminating our list at number four is the incredibly cheerful Birthday Candles Cake. This adorable design brings a whimsical and celebratory touch to any party, thanks to its playful combination of vibrant stripes and delightful polka dots that mimic festive birthday candles. What makes this cake so popular is its remarkable adaptability; it can be customized and styled for virtually any birthday celebration, regardless of age or theme. With just a few simple steps and the creative use of a variety of colors, you can effortlessly create a cake design that is truly worth celebrating. It’s a fantastic way to personalize a birthday cake and make it extra special for the honoree. The clear instructions ensure that even novice decorators can achieve a professional-looking finish with confidence. This charming tutorial was brought to life by our esteemed contributor, Miso of Miso Bakes, who consistently inspires us with her creative and achievable designs.
No. 5 : Celery Rose Stamp
Taking the fifth spot on our list, and quite possibly surprising many, is the ingenious Celery Rose Stamp cake! Who would have ever thought that humble celery could be transformed into such a fabulous and elegant cake decorating tool? We were absolutely captivated by this incredibly clever and unique method to “stamp” gorgeous rose patterns onto a cake using nothing more than a freshly cut stalk of celery. This DIY quickly gained immense traction for being a simple, cost-effective, and surprisingly effective way to add intricate floral designs without needing specialized molds or piping skills. The results are stunning, creating beautiful, organic rose prints that look incredibly sophisticated. The step-by-step tutorial meticulously guides you through the process, ensuring that anyone can replicate these lovely blossoms with ease. It’s a perfect technique for adding a natural, botanical touch to wedding cakes, bridal showers, or garden parties. This innovative tutorial was conceived and shared by our wonderfully creative contributor, Erin Gardner of Wild Orchid Baking Company, proving that true creativity often lies in seeing potential in the unexpected.
No. 6 : Stenciled Lace
Securing its place at number six, the Stenciled Lace tutorial had us absolutely flipping with excitement! This incredible step-by-step guide to creating lace was an instant hit due to its breathtakingly intricate results and, crucially, its easily repeatable nature. The tutorial beautifully demonstrates how to achieve the delicate, sophisticated look of Alencon lace on a cake, using the seemingly simple aids of a stencil and royal icing. The finished product is nothing short of exquisite, giving cakes a luxurious and highly detailed appearance that traditionally requires years of practice. Many might think that creating such fabulous, fine lace patterns is beyond their capabilities, but this tutorial challenges that notion completely. It empowers home bakers to elevate their cake decorating skills and produce truly elegant designs with confidence. If you thought you couldn’t achieve such masterful lace work, this tutorial will make you think again! This masterful lesson was expertly shared by Robin Martin of Gateaux Inc., making sophisticated cake art accessible to everyone.
No. 7 : Igloo Cake
Sliding into seventh place with an abundance of frosty charm is the adorable Igloo Cake. This tutorial proved to be a winter wonderland of creativity, captivating our readers with its ridiculously cute details. Imagine a cake adorned with sparkling, frosty ice pieces, miniature glittered trees, and a festive flag banner—all combining to create a charming Arctic scene. This icy igloo cake tutorial stood out for its ingenious “clever tricks” that simplify the process of quickly achieving the distinctive igloo shape and texture. Despite its intricate appearance, this cake comes together with surprising ease, making it a fantastic project for holiday parties, winter birthdays, or simply to bring a touch of whimsical magic to your table. The detailed guidance ensures that bakers can replicate every delightful element, from the glistening snow to the perfectly shaped dome. This enchanting creation was brought to us by the incredibly talented duo, Mary and Brenda Maher of Cakegirls, who consistently inspire with their imaginative and achievable designs.
No. 8 : Monster Eye Cake
Rounding out our fantastic list at number eight is the playfully spooky Monster Eye Cake, a perfect example of how simple ingredients and minimal effort can lead to maximum fun! This incredibly creative cake project soared in popularity, especially around Halloween, because it required absolutely no special tools or advanced skills. Its genius lies in utilizing readily available cookies and candies to craft an array of wonderfully googly, popping monster eyes that give the cake an irresistible, whimsical charm. The method is delightfully straightforward: simply “twist and stick” your way to an eye-popping good cake that’s guaranteed to be the centerpiece of any monster-themed party or Halloween gathering. It’s a brilliant solution for busy parents or bakers looking for a quick yet impactful design. This imaginative and highly accessible tutorial was, once again, the brainchild of Carrie Sellman of The Cake Blog, proving her knack for creating inspiring and achievable cake decorating ideas for everyone.
What an incredible journey through the very best of 2013’s DIY cake tutorials! This collection truly highlights the boundless creativity and ingenuity within our vibrant baking community, showcasing that stunning cake art is not only achievable but also incredibly fun to create. These eight projects, spanning from delicate floral designs to whimsical monsters and elegant lacework, have not only provided clear, actionable steps but have also ignited a passion for baking and decorating in countless homes. We are continually inspired by your enthusiasm and the amazing creations you share with us. As we look ahead to 2014, we promise to keep bringing you fresh, innovative, and accessible cake inspiration, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting for every baker, regardless of skill level. We hope these timeless tutorials continue to inspire you to roll up your sleeves, get into the kitchen, and transform simple ingredients into edible masterpieces. Don’t forget to revisit these guides, try out new techniques, and most importantly, have fun with your baking. What was your favorite DIY tutorial from this roundup? Share your thoughts and your own cake creations with us—we love to see what you’re baking! Thank you for being such a wonderful part of The Cake Blog community, and here’s to another year of sweet success and delightful discoveries!