Creating a money cake is a unique and memorable way to celebrate special occasions. Not only does it look impressive, but it also makes for a delightful surprise for the recipient. In this guide, I will walk you through the process of making a two-tiered money cake, complete with a beautiful floral arrangement and a Happy Birthday topper. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner, this project is both enjoyable and rewarding.
Measurements and Formulas:
- Bottom Tier Cake Board Circumference: 64.5cm
- Top Tier Cake Board Circumference: 49cm
- Height of Top and Bottom Tier: 5cm
- Height of Note: 6.6cm
- Money Roll Size: 1.33cm
Formula for Cardboard Strips:
- Bottom Strip: Bottom Tier Cake Board Circumference + 2cm by height of tier = 66.5cm x 5cm
- Top Strip: Top Tier Cake Board Circumference + 2cm by height of tier = 51cm x 5cm
Approximate Money Needed for Money Cake:
- Bottom Tier: 49 notes
- Top Tier: 37 notes
- Total Notes Needed: 86 notes (recommend getting 90 notes)
Tips for Crafting your Money Cake
- Adjust Measurements According to Your Cake Boards: While the provided measurements are a guideline, you may need to adjust sizes based on the cake boards available to you. Keep in mind that a larger cake will require more money to cover its surface.
- Choose Cake Board Sizes Based on Your Budget: Select cake board sizes that align with your budget for gifting money. Once you have chosen the sizes, estimate the number of notes you will need and decide on the denominations accordingly. This ensures it is both visually appealing and financially practical.
Creating a money cake is a thoughtful and creative way to make any celebration extra special. The personalised touch of adding the recipient’s favourite flowers and a custom topper will surely make it a memorable gift. I hope you enjoy making it and encourage you to share your experience in the comments below. Happy crafting!
How to Create a Stunning Money Cake : A Step by Step Guide
Equipment
- Measuring Tape / Ruler
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
- Sticky Tape
- Wooden Spoon or suitable object to wrap the note around
Ingredients
- 1 Base Cake Board: 23cm diameter by 1mm high
- 5 Cake Boards (Bottom Tier): 20cm diameter by 1cm high
- 5 Cake Boards (Top Tier): 15cm diameter by 1cm high
- 1 Cardboard Strip: Bottom: 66.5cm (circumference + 2cm) by 5cm
- 1 Cardboard Strip: Top: 51cm (circumference + 2cm) by 5cm
- 1 box Silver Paper Clips (all the same)
- Vintage Lace and/or Ribbon
Instructions
- Equipment and Materials Needed
- Prepare the Cake Boards: Glue the cake boards together to form a sturdy two-tiered cake structure.
- Create Cardboard Strips: Cut strips of cardboard according to your measurements to create a surface for attaching the money. Wrap the cardboard around the cake boards and secure it with sticky tape.
- Roll the Money: Roll your money around a wooden spoon and secure each roll with a paper clip. Ensure the height of the notes exceeds the height of the tiers for a neat appearance.
- Attach Money Rolls: Clip the money rolls to the cardboard strips. Repeat this process until you have filled both the top and bottom tiers with cash. For a reference, you will need approximately 37 notes for the top tier and 49 notes for the bottom tier, being a total of 86 notes (consider getting 90 notes for good measure).
- Add Finishing Touches: Once both tiers are filled with money rolls, tie vintage lace and/or ribbon around the top and bottom tiers to enhance the aesthetic.
- Decorate the Top Tier: Order an arrangement from your local florist that fits perfectly on the top tier. Add a Happy Birthday cake topper and candles to complete the look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a money cake made of?
It’s built with cake boards, cardboard strips, and rolled-up banknotes arranged in tiers. Decorations like lace, ribbon, flowers, and a cake topper complete the look.
Can I change the amount of money?
Yes! Choose the number and denomination of notes based on your budget. Adjust your cake board size accordingly to make sure it’s filled and balanced.
Can I reuse the cake boards and decorations?
Definitely. Once the notes are removed, you can reuse the base, lace, and topper for future projects or another gift.
I would love to hear from you
If you’ve made a money cake or plan to try this idea, I’d love to hear how it turned out—feel free to share your thoughts, tips, or questions in the comments below!
Save This Stunning Money Cake DIY
Planning a milestone birthday gift? Pin this creative and classy idea for later!
Get the Right Tools for the Job
Add a touch of sparkle to your celebration with this Happy Birthday Glitter Cake Topper! This topper instantly elevates any birthday cake. Easy to use and lightweight, it’s the perfect finishing touch for party decorations, photo shoots, or special gifts.
Add a touch of elegance to milestone celebrations with these 3D diamond-style gold number candles! Measuring 2.35 inches tall, they're perfect for 18th or 81st birthday cakes. The shimmering finish and bold design make them stand out as a stylish cake topper. They add sparkle and sophistication to the celebration.
This beautiful assortment of beige lace ribbons offers 54 yards of vintage charm, perfect for sewing, scrapbooking, and elegant DIY crafts. The delicate eyelet and crochet patterns make it ideal for wedding décor, gift wrapping, doll clothes, or adding a romantic touch to handmade projects. Soft, flexible, and easy to work with—your next creative project just found its perfect finish.
You Might Also Like These Creative Gift Ideas
Looking for more handmade inspiration? These unique ideas are perfect for parties, birthdays, or just adding a little fun to your celebrations.
Mini Alcohol Party Favour – A cheeky and creative little gift that’s perfect for weddings, birthdays, or festive gatherings. Break the cellophane in case of emergency!
Cake Pops – Bite-sized cake on a stick, dipped in chocolate and dressed up for the occasion. Fun to make and easy to customise for any theme.
That is outstanding what a wonderful idea for a birthday gift
Thank you so much! 😊 I’m glad you liked it!