Hi everyone — I’m Erin from Hey, EEP! and I’m excited to share another dessert idea I think you’ll love. I’m a firm believer that cake doesn’t need a special occasion: celebrate small wins, big moments, or even that tricky frenemy. If you’re on team constant-caking like me, this simple idea works for practically everything.
Today I’ll show you how to make a cake that mimics those cheeky cross-stitch designs you see on Pinterest and Etsy. They’re short, funny and adorable — often a little sassy with delicate floral details around the wording. They feel vintage and sweet, but also delightfully modern.
There’s nothing complicated about these cakes. First, I’ll show a few easy swaps to make box cake mix taste bakery-quality — you’ll be surprised how simple changes transform the flavor and texture. Then we’ll decorate. I love decorating, but I’m not a perfectionist: tiny, intricate piping isn’t required here. The beauty of a “cross-stitch” cake is its simplicity — all you need to pipe are X shapes. Line them up to form hearts, flowers, borders or your chosen words. Once you master the X, you can create endless patterns.
DIY Cross Stitch Cakes
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray for the pans
- 1 box cake mix
- 3 to 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Whole milk
- Melted butter cooled slightly
- Vanilla frosting for decorating
- Food coloring for dying
Instructions
-
Spray two 8- to 10-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and preheat the oven according to the cake mix instructions.
-
Prepare the cake mix as directed on the box, but replace the water with whole milk and the oil with melted butter. Add one extra egg than the box calls for. Stir in the vanilla and salt, then mix until smooth.
-
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake as directed. Let the cakes rest in the pans for 2 to 3 minutes, then run a knife along the edge and invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
-
Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the second layer and press gently. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the whole cake and chill until firm. Finish with another layer of frosting, smoothing it as desired.
-
Tint portions of frosting with food coloring and transfer to piping bags fitted with a small round tip. Use these to pipe your message and decorate in a cross-stitch pattern by making rows of X shapes to form letters, flowers, borders or other motifs.
Erin Phraner | Hey, EEP
I’d love to know — what would you write on your first cross-stitch cake? Would you make one for yourself or personalize it for a friend? Right now I have an “ADULTING SUCKS” cake in the oven for a friend who’s been hustling — everyone deserves a little sweetness.
