Cake Box Hacks to Save Money

Cake boxes can be surprisingly expensive, especially buying them in different sizes to fit every cake you make. From mini cakes to towering tiered cakes, it feels like you need a whole room full of boxes! But what if I told you that you only need one size cake box for nearly every cake you’ll make? These cake box hacks will save you money and free up storage space.

In this tutorial I’ll show you how to transport cakes safely and professionally using just one kind of cake box. Whether you're delivering a mini cake or a tall two-tier wedding cake, try these simple tricks!

Why These Cake Box Hacks Work for Every Cake

It might seem like a mini cake needs a mini box and a tall cake needs a really tall one. But actually, a standard 10 inch cake box can be used for all kinds of cakes. That’s the size I use for everything from 4-inch mini cakes to tall, double-barrelled and tiered cakes.

Why 10 inches? Because most of my cakes are made with 8-inch cake layers and I place them on 10-inch cake boards. When the board fits snugly into the cake box, it won't slide around when you transport it.

Here’s how to use that same 10-inch box for cakes of all sizes and shapes, without your cakes getting damaged during delivery.

Cake Box Hack for Mini Cakes

Mini cakes are adorable and trendy and perfect for small celebrations. But mini cake boxes? Difficult to find and not very practical if you’re trying to save money and space.

Here's how to make a mini cake fit securely in a standard cake box.

Let’s say you’ve made a little 4-inch cake on a 6-inch board. Placing that into a 10-inch box sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, right? It would slide all over the place during transport – definitely not how to transport cakes safely!

The trick is to secure the mini cake inside the big box:

• Start by placing a 10-inch cake board (or the same size as your box) into the bottom of the box.
• Then use a small piece of non-slip matting. I use a drawer liner from the kitchen section of most shops but you can use masking tape instead. For tape, roll some into a ring with the sticky side facing outwards.
• Place the non-slip mat or ring of tape in the center of the large board.
• Put your mini cake (on its mini board) on top of the mat or tape.

Now your mini cake won't budge, even on the bumpiest car ride.

Tip: Always transport cakes on a flat surface like the boot of your car (trunk) or in the footwell in front of the passenger seat. Don't place it on a seat if you can avoid it because the angle can cause the cake to slip.

Cake Box Hacks for Tall Cakes and Tiered Cakes

Now for tall cakes, double-barrel cakes, tier cakes, and cakes with toppers that can’t be added later. Most cake boxes are about 8 inches tall, which is fine for single-tier cakes. But if your cake is taller or tiered, the lid will press down on the top of the cake.

Here’s a genius cake box hack that takes less than a minute:

1. On one side flap of the lid, make a two diagonal cuts from the bottom edge towards the top. Do this on the opposite side of the lid as well. The shorter your cut, the taller the box will become.
2. Now put the lid onto the box with the middle sections of the lid (in between the two diagonal cuts) tucked into the sides of the box. This lifts the lid up, making the box taller without damaging it.
3. You can secure the lid in place with a sticker or a bit of tape if you’re carrying the cake outside.

I’ve used this tall cake box hack to transport two-tier cakes, cakes with tall toppers, and double-barrel cakes. No custom boxes needed!

Cake Packaging Tips for Every Delivery

Whether you’re making cakes professionally or just as a hobby, these cake packaging tips will make your life much easier:

• Invest in non-slip matting or a grippy drawer liner. It’s cheap, reusable, and keeps cakes stable.
• Always match your box to your board size – this is key for preventing sliding.
• Use one size box for any cake by adapting it with these cake box hacks
• Don’t forget to label your boxes if you’re making multiple deliveries – it’s a small step that saves time and confusion later.

The Bottom Line on Cake Box Hacks

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different tools and packaging supplies for cake decorating. But honestly, you don’t need dozens of box sizes cluttering up your kitchen or cake studio. With these simple but game-changing cake box hacks you can deliver cakes of all shapes and sizes using just one kind of box.

If you found these tips helpful you'll love the online courses on my cake school. I'd love to help you grow your skills and confidence with cake decorating!

You can also watch a video of this tutorial on cake box hacks to save money: