15 Impressive Cake Designs That Look Like Wood
Updated on March 13, 2023
When it comes to cake decorating, there are countless impressive things you can do to give your homemade cakes awesome effects, even at a beginner level. We recently saw a wood effect cake on TV and we’ve been kind of obsessed with the idea ever since. That’s how we found ourselves looking at all kinds of suggestions and tutorials on how to make them ourselves!
Just in case you’re as intrigued by the idea of wood grain or tree cakes as we are, if not more, here are 15 of the best inspiration photos, decorating tutorials, and design ideas that we’ve come across so far.
1. Carved initials cake
Besides showing you how to get that amazing bark effect that really makes this cake look like actual tree stumps, The Sweet Life Bakes shows you how to make a carved initial effect that, thanks to a bit of edible hand painting, is incredibly realistic!
2. Birchwood wedding cake
Do you love the carved initials idea but you’re just not sure you want to create that dark looking a cake for the next special occasion? Then maybe you’d prefer to try this lighter birchwood effect version outlined step by step on The Pastry Studio instead!
3. Mulled wine Stump de Noel cake
This particular cake is a bit simpler in its icing technique, as you’r working with buttercream frosting and not fondant and hand painting techniques, but the decor and the way it’s been embellished with edible toadstools and a sprinkling of icing sugar morning frost on top is nothing short of stunning. See how it’s made in more detail on Sprinkle Bakes.
4. Wood, flower, and burlap cake
This stunning tutorial from Gaynor Portsmouth shows you how to make a three tiered cake that has two different wood-like bark effects and a plain fondant covered topper just for visual balance! We love their presentation using faux flowers and a burlap bow.
5. Woodland baby shower cake with an owl
Have all these stump cakes started reminding you of woodland fairy tales and you’ve kind of been holding out for an idea that looks a bit more fitting for a baby shower or kids’ party? Then we think you’ll really appreciate the way Palatiello decorated their cake with delicate icing leaves and petals and a handmade fondant owl complete with adorably big eyes and layered feathres.
6. Tiered wood cake with edible flowers
Have been looking at these stacked, realistic looking wood stump cakes embellished faux flowers and wondering whether you might challenge yourself by making your flowers carefully by hand in a way that’s edible, since putting all those flowers on just to take them off again feels like a waste? Then we definitely think you’ll find this guide from Cakes Decor useful.
7. Hand painted birchwood and carved letters cake
Just in case you’re still thinking about how much you loved the birchwood look but you’re actually hoping to find a slightly simpler tutorial, hopefully one with a bit of a floral element, here’s another guide that’s a little less advanced! Get the full details on Cup A Dee Cakes.
8. Chalkboard and wood cake
Maybe you’ve been hoping to make a wood cake that actually looks a little more like wooden boards rather than part of an actual tree? Well, that’s exactly the effect Cake Central has created here but, as an added bonus, they also show you how to create a “chalkboard cake” layer that you can custom write messages on in edible marker.
9. Painted detail lumberjack cake
Are you still thinking about the idea we mentioned where a wood cake looks a bit more like something kid-friendly but you’re not sure the floral owl idea is the one for you? Then maybe you’d like to try your hand at making a lumberjack themed cake instead! We love the way Sara Saving made a stump, a plaid layer, and some fondant detail including a little moose.
10. Fondant stacked tree stumps cake
Would you much rather work with simple fondant techniques all round, for the bark and the flowers or embellishments you choose, just to keep things simple across the board? In that case, we think you’ll get along quite well indeed with this carved stump and floral cake outlined step by step on How to Cake That.
11. Chocolate buttercream tree stump cake
Are you feeling very confident indeed in your icing and piping skills because you’ve had lots of practice creating all kinds of textures and shapes, so you’re looking for an icing-only idea rather than doing fondant work? In that case, we have a feeling this texture chocolate buttercream tree stump tutorial from FFEA by Sawson Cake Decorating might be the perfect one for you!
12. Where The Wild Things Are inspired stump cake
Speaking of kids’ cakes that will work for a birthday party but still look just like wood, here’s one that’s inspired by the children’s book Where The Wild Things Are! We love the way Sugar Hero presented their cake on an actual wood slice and built a beautiful fondant crown to sit on top, just like the one in the story.
13. Pink fairy tree stump cake
What if the child you’re thinking of making this wood inspired cake for likes things that are a little bit more girly and whimsical rather than realistic looking? In that case, we think perhaps you’ll get along a little better with this fairytale pink version from Veena Azmanov that looks like a sprite might live there.
14. Chocolate shavings bark cake
Icing, fondant, and hand painting aren’t actually the only ways you can make a wood and bark texture effect! Cake Central is here to show you a method that might be even more delicious, since it’s made with rich, curled milk and dark chocolate shavings all around the outside.
15. Buckled fondant and hand painted tree stump cake
Just in case you’d like to see the method of buckling fondant and painting it with different brown shades that gets that very realistic bark effect in a little more detail, here’s a fantastic video tutorial that walks you through it step by step! Thanks goes to Zoe’s Fancy Cakes for this one.
Have you made other wonderfully decorated wood themed cakes before that were a little different than what you see here? Tell us all about your technique or link us to photos of your finished cake in the comments section!