Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set
Make a caterpillar birthday cake that little ones go wild for, using just one Shape Tin. It's one of our most requested first and second birthday cakes, and once you see how it comes together, you'll know why.
The Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set includes edible eyes, antennae and a little feast of edible food pieces for your caterpillar to munch on, plus step-by-step guidance. Bake, slice, stack, ice and pop on the details. No piping bag required, and not a scrap of fondant in sight.
Please note: Cake mix, icing, food colouring and other baking ingredients are not included.
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- Easy step-by-step guidance Caterpillar Cake instructions with your purchase
- Make it your own Choose colours and add creative touches
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What's Included in Your Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set?
The Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set gives your cake its face, its personality and something to snack on, along with step-by-step guidance to help you make the cake at home.
Inside your Decorating Set:
- Edible paper eyes and antennae to give your caterpillar its character.
- Edible paper food pieces for your caterpillar to munch on, so the whole cake tells a little story.
- Step-by-step Caterpillar Cake guide to help you bake, build and decorate your cake.
What's not included?
The Decorating Set does not include cake tins, cake mix, icing, food colouring or other baking ingredients.
Edible Eyes and Antennae
Your caterpillar's face is printed on edible paper, so there's no need to pipe or sculpt any features. Cut out the pieces and pop them on.
Edible Food Pieces
Every hungry caterpillar needs something to eat! The edible food pieces can be scattered along the body, placed in front of the head or arranged around the cake board. Place them wherever you like.
Step-by-Step Caterpillar Cake Guide
Your purchase includes access to instructions covering the baking, building and decorating process, including how to slice your cylinder cakes into body segments and line them up into a caterpillar.
Please note: The Decorating Set does not include cake tins, cake mix, icing or other baking ingredients.
What Do I Need to Make the Caterpillar Cake?
You'll need the Cylinder Shape Tin, cake ingredients, icing and your Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set. That's it. The whole caterpillar is made from one tin shape.
Cake Tins
The Caterpillar Cake is made entirely from cylinder cakes baked in the Cylinder Shape Tin. You can make it in two sizes:
- Small caterpillar: 3 cylinder cakes (1 for the head and 2 for the body)
- Large caterpillar: 5 cylinder cakes (1 for the head and 4 for the body)
If you already own the Cylinder Shape Tin, you can purchase the Decorating Set on its own.
If you're new to Shape Tins, the Complete Set includes the Cylinder Shape Tin, plus four more shapes for creating lots of other cake designs. Add the Shape Tins bundle on this page to receive your first Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set at no additional cost.
Cake Ingredients
For the Caterpillar Cake, you'll need:
- 2 packets of cake mix for a small caterpillar (approximately 24 generous servings), or 4 packets for a large caterpillar (approximately 48 generous servings). An equivalent quantity of your favourite homemade cake recipe works too.
- Icing for covering your cake, and for sticking the segments together
- Green and red food colouring for the classic caterpillar look
You can use your favourite cake recipe, provided it makes enough cake for the cylinders you need.
For Decorating
The Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set includes the edible eyes, antennae and food pieces. See exactly what's included in the What's Included tab.
Add sprinkles, sweets or a few extra icing details if you'd like to make your caterpillar your own.
Other Equipment You'll Need
- A long serrated knife to slice each cylinder cake in half
- A cake board or long platter (a caterpillar needs room to stretch out!)
- A spatula or butter knife for icing
New to Shape Tins?
Add the Shape Tins bundle on this page to get the Complete Set with all five reusable cake tins, plus your Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set at no additional cost.
Once the party is over, simply wash and reuse your Shape Tins to create something new. The same shapes can be combined in different ways to make lots of other cakes, so the fun doesn't stop with your caterpillar.
Caterpillar Cake Recipe & Step-by-Step Instructions
Your Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set includes access to a guide that takes you through the whole cake, from baking your cylinders to adding the very last antenna.
Baking Your Caterpillar Cake
Every part of the caterpillar starts as a cylinder cake. Bake 3 cylinders for a small caterpillar or 5 for a large one. The guide explains how much cake mixture to add and the recommended baking times.
A small caterpillar using 2 packets of cake mix makes approximately 24 generous servings. A large caterpillar using 4 packets makes approximately 48, perfect for a bigger birthday crowd.
Building Your Caterpillar Cake
Here's where the magic happens. Once your cakes have cooled, keep one cylinder whole for the head. Slice each of the others in half diagonally to make the body segments, then line the segments up behind the head to form your caterpillar.
Our top tip: use icing as glue. A good smear of icing between each section holds the segments together and keeps your caterpillar in one piece.
Decorating Your Caterpillar Cake
The guide then takes you through icing your caterpillar and adding the edible eyes, antennae and food pieces.
Follow Along at Your Own Pace
From baking your first cylinder to placing the last food piece, you'll have clear instructions and visual guidance at every step. Work through it at your own pace and enjoy watching your caterpillar come to life.
Decorating Your Caterpillar Cake
Once your segments are lined up and stuck together, it's time for the fun part. Ice your caterpillar, add the edible details and give it something to eat.
Choose Your Caterpillar's Colours
Green and red give you the classic caterpillar look, but there are no rules here. Try a rainbow caterpillar with every segment a different colour, pastel shades for a softer look, or your child's favourite colours.
Add the Edible Details
Cut out the edible eyes and antennae and pop them onto the head. No piping skills needed. Then arrange the edible food pieces along the body or in front of the head, wherever your caterpillar looks hungriest.
Keep It Together
Use icing as glue between each segment before you start decorating. It holds the body together and gives you a smooth base to ice over.
Decorating Ahead of the Party
You can bake your cylinders ahead of time to make the party day easier.
Keep unused edible paper sealed in its original bag in a cool, dry place until you're ready to use it. For the best result, add the edible details on the morning of the party, although they can be applied up to 24 hours beforehand.
Avoid refrigerating unused edible paper, and follow the guide to prevent moisture from affecting the printed details.
Here are the colours this one calls for. Add them while you're here.
Or add another colour
Want the full step-by-step guide?
Buy this set and unlock the full Caterpillar guide, with every step to bake, build and decorate your cake.
- How to bake
- How to build
- How to decorate
Your unlock code is emailed as soon as you order, and it comes in your delivery too.
An Easy Caterpillar Cake You Can Make at Home
Simple cake shapes, finishing details and a little imagination.
You don't need a caterpillar-shaped tin or hours of sculpting a cake from scratch. Shape Tins uses simple cake shapes that come together to create the Caterpillar Cake, and the Decorating Set adds the details that give it character.
Tins this cake uses
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Cylinder (used in this cake)
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Cube
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Dome
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Rectangle
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Round + Ring
- 1
Bake
Bake your cake in the Cylinder Shape Tin, ready to build your caterpillar.
- 2
Build
Follow the step-by-step guide to bring your cake shapes together.
- 3
Decorate
Add your icing, then bring your caterpillar to life with your Decorating Set.
- 4
Celebrate
Bring out your finished Caterpillar Cake, take plenty of photos and enjoy sharing it at the party.
Caterpillar Cake Options Compared
| Option | Approx. cost (AUD) | At a glance |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarket cake | $25 to $40 | Easy, but a flat first birthday cake. |
| Bakery caterpillar of cupcakes | $60 to $100 | Cute, but no cake to cut for the photos. |
| Shape Tins | About $42 to $52 per cake* | A real 3D caterpillar from one reusable tin. |
*$26.95 set plus $15 to $25 ingredients, using tins you own.
One Set of Shape Tins. So Many Cakes to Make.
Your Caterpillar Cake might be the first cake you make with Shape Tins, but it doesn't have to be the last!
Instead of buying a different novelty cake tin for every birthday, Shape Tins offers reusable baking shapes you can combine in different ways to create many cake designs. With the Complete Set, you'll have all five Shape Tins to explore everything from 3D animal and character cakes to number cakes and other birthday creations.
Buy the tins once. Keep creating with them again and again.
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Caterpillar Cake FAQs
Is a caterpillar cake good for a first birthday?
Yes! The Caterpillar Cake is one of our most requested first and second birthday cakes. It's bright, friendly and easy to cut into serves, and you can choose a small or large size to suit the size of your party.
Can I make a caterpillar birthday cake if I'm a beginner?
Absolutely. The Caterpillar Cake is made from simple cylinder cakes that you slice and line up, so there's no carving or sculpting. The guide walks you through baking, building and decorating, and the Decorating Set provides the eyes, antennae and food pieces, so you don't need any piping skills.
How many cakes do I need to bake for a caterpillar cake?
Bake 3 cylinder cakes for a small caterpillar (1 for the head and 2 for the body) or 5 for a large caterpillar (1 for the head and 4 for the body). The body cylinders are each sliced in half to make the segments.
How many people does a caterpillar cake serve?
A small caterpillar made with 2 packets of cake mix serves approximately 24 people with generous slices. A large caterpillar made with 4 packets serves approximately 48. Cut smaller party-sized slices and it will stretch even further.
How do I stop the caterpillar segments from falling apart?
Use icing as glue. Spread a good layer of icing between each segment as you line them up behind the head. It holds the body together and gives you a smooth base for decorating.
Does the Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set include cake mix and icing?
No. The Decorating Set includes the edible eyes, antennae, food pieces and step-by-step guidance. You'll need to supply your own cake mix, icing and food colouring, plus the Cylinder Shape Tin. If you're new to Shape Tins, add the Complete Set bundle to get all five reusable cake tins and your first Caterpillar Cake Decorating Set at no additional cost.
Can I make a different coloured caterpillar?
Of course! Green and red is the classic look, but you can make your caterpillar any colour you like. Rainbow segments, pastels or your child's favourite colours all work beautifully. We'd love to see what you create, so share your caterpillar with the Shape Tins community.
