• Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Bakingdom

All you need is love. And dessert.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Basic Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • Meet Darla
    • FAQ
    • Press
  • Contact

Perfectly Pinterest: Back to School Candy Pencil Cake

Friday, August 17, 2012 by Darla

I really agonized this year over what to make for a Back to School treat. I try to do one every year (like my Fauxstess Cupcakes and my Chalkboard Cookies), and they’re always so much fun, but I was pretty stumped this year.

I think with the kiddo going into his Junior year now, it’s not quite the same as when he was little, and back to school time was more exciting for him. Now it’s all routine, and he’s not even worried about backpacks and school clothes. Le sigh.

I decided to hit up Pinterest for ideas. Obviously.

In no time, I decided to make the cake above, which is inspired by another cake. An inedible cake, but an incredibly clever inedible cake, that I had to pin.

This seriously adorable pencil cake, made out of real classroom needs, like pencils, erasers, and rubber bands, was created by Brittany of One Charming Party. This is truly brilliant, people. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make it in frosting.

My pencils are a little simpler looking, and I chose to forego the rubber bands, but with a few pink Mike & Ike’s candies, some yellow and tan frosting, and mini chocolate chips, I had a tasty, sugary-sweet version of Brittany’s fun school supply cake.

For your cake, you can make any flavor and size you like. I chose to do a chocolate, three layer 6-inch cake. An average double layer 8-inch cake recipe will give you four 6-inch layers. I made three layers and some mini cupcakes…just because. 🙂

Once your cake is cooled, frost it with a crumb coat (I used my favorite vanilla buttercream). No need to add lots of frosting around the sides, and don’t worry about being super neat; you won’t see any of the crumb coat. Put a normal amount of frosting on top, though, as you won’t be covering the top completely.

For the erasers of my pencils, I used pink Mike & Ike’s candies, cut in half. I placed the candies, cut side up, snugly around the base of the cake.

Next, I used yellow tinted icing to draw straight lines up from each of the “erasers.” I used a Wilton #12 tip here. It’s the perfect size to match the Mike & Ike’s.

Don’t be discouraged if your lines are a little wobbly or slightly crooked at first (like mine); you can easily straighten up, and once the cake is completely covered, you don’t notice any pencils that aren’t perfectly vertical.

Before moving on to the next step, I flattened the points at the top of each pencils. I suppose you could skip this step, I just found it a little easier to have them flat at this point.

Now it’s time to sharpen our pencils. I actually used some leftover Biscoff frosting (from my Nutella-Biscoff Snickerdoodles) for this part, because it was the perfect color, but you can just tint plain frosting with a drop or two of brown food coloring.

Using the same Wilton #12 tip, I simply squeezed a small point of tan frosting on to the top of each pencil.

Finally, it’s time to add the lead to these babies. The obvious choice here was mini chocolate chips. All I did was place one on each sharpened pencil while the frosting was still wet. Voila! Sweetly adorable candy pencils. 🙂

I kept the top simple by just drawing a circle of more candy pencils on, making them varying lengths.

This is a great photo to show you that, while there are still a couple of wobbly pencils in there, they’re not super noticeable. Plus, you can always just turn those towards the back and no one will be the wiser. 😉

This was such a fun cake to make, and you won’t believe how fast it is! For something that looks like it took a lot of work, it really is done in a flash. Since all of the piping work is simple lines and small dollops, it’s done quickly, and placing the candy is a cinch. I was done decorating this cake in less than 30 minutes. 🙂

This would be such a great First Day after school treat, or it would even be perfect to celebrate their 100th Day. Not to mention how fun it would be for a school themed birthday party or a teacher’s gift. I hope you guys give this one a try, because I had so much fun making it, and it’s just sich a happy little cake when it’s all done. Enjoy!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email
Leave a comment

Filed Under: Cake Decorating, Cakes, Frosting, Perfectly Pinterest, Tutorial Tagged With: Back to School, Back to School Cake, Cake Decorating, Cakes, Candy Pencil Cake, Candy Pencils, Frosting, Pencils, Tutorial

« Chocolate Hazelnut Snickerdoodles with Nutella-Biscoff Swirl Frosting
Peach Berry Crumble »

Comments

  1. michelle says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:06 am

    wow so awesome! love the piped pencils. (does it take long to put the mini video together on the how to’s?)

  2. laura says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:07 am

    adorable cake! this is just too cute – it almost makes me wish i was back in school…

  3. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Ahhhh so cute!! Love this idea!

  4. Living The Sweet Life says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:29 am

    SO CUTE!! what a lovely treat, to welcome the back to school season 🙂

  5. Cookbook Queen says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Seriously SO SOOOO in love with this!!! Crazy adorable. And creative. LOVE!!!!!

  6. leslie says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Oh.MY.GOD this is darling!!! I love the “moving photos” how’d you do that?

  7. Natalie says

    Friday, August 17, 2012 at 2:56 pm

    Incredible and so inspiring. The idea of the pencils as a “fence” for the cake is cool!

    Natalie

  8. SweetsugarBelle says

    Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 12:24 am

    Darla!!!! I squealed!!! This is so stinkin cute!!!

  9. holly says

    Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm

    That’s so clever and cute! I would never be able to make that.

  10. bttrflybabydoll says

    Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Cute!!! So cute!!!

  11. Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} says

    Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Holy smokes, this is such an awesome cake. I wow’d in my head when I saw it in my reader. I love your time lapse photo animations too. Spectacular and pin worthy of it’s own pin from yours truly.

  12. shelly (cookies and cups) says

    Monday, August 20, 2012 at 6:06 am

    Very very cute!!!

  13. Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says

    Monday, August 20, 2012 at 8:35 am

    aw so cute, love how it turned out.

  14. Bellenza Bistro says

    Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 5:39 am

    Love the way you combined frosting with other available candies! Especially the chocolate chip “lead” tips. 🙂

  15. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 7:44 am

    This is just completely adorable. (former teacher here!) Nice work, and I love how you can see it being created. What a fun addition to the post!

  16. Anna says

    Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 6:33 am

    This is so very adorable. I also make a back to school treat every year and I think I’ve found this years! Thank you!

    Anna

  17. Lior says

    Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    this is cool!!

  18. Tina says

    Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I love this. So stinkin’ cutes.

    I have 1 six inch pan, but I need to get a couple more. Your 6″ cakes are always absolutely adorbs!

  19. Javelin Warrior says

    Friday, August 24, 2012 at 6:51 am

    I’m in awe. First, you made the cake and it turned out amazing – all that work to make those pencils! And then you took the time to make animated gifs of the images! So, so impressed 🙂 I’m featuring this post in today’s Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution). I hope you have no objections and thanks for the inspiration…

  20. Becca - Cookie Jar Treats says

    Friday, August 24, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Oh my goodness! This is one of the cutest cakes ever! Seriously! And I love the little gifs you put up to show your process. I just kept watching it over and over and over, haha 🙂

  21. Nicole says

    Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    This is absolutely insane!

  22. Lora says

    Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 5:10 am

    That is a wonderful cake. I’m even more impressed though by your animated pictures – that is SO awesome! Both are great ideas! I pinned your cake but would love to know how to do your tutorials!

    Please check out my 3d cakes at http://bakemydaycaserma.wordpress.com

    Lora

  23. Jacqueline says

    Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    Love love love your website….thanks for sharing! This cake looks amazing any chance on sharing the chocolate cake receipe you used to make it…please 🙂 hope to be able to make it for my girls

  24. Heather - Chickabug says

    Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 9:12 am

    I wouldn’t have minded going back to school so much if I got a cake like this every year! Wow! : )

Trackbacks

  1. back to school candy pencil cake. | Cooking Pics says:
    Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    […] back to school candy pencil cake. /* […]

  2. Back to School Candy Pencil Cake says:
    Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 2:02 am

    […] For recipe visit the source:  bakingdom.com […]

welcome!
Baker.
Photographer.
Geek.
Read More…

Weight Conversions

Faves

Happy Garland Cake

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Easy Irish Soda Bread

Friday, March 14, 2014

Donald Duck Tsum Tsum Cupcakes

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Butterbeer?! Oh Yes, Friends! Butterbeer!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Rainbow-filled Chocolate Icebox Cookies

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Archives

Instagram

bakingdom

The best good boy that ever lived. 🤍 My brain i The best good boy that ever lived. 🤍 My brain is struggling to comprehend how it’s been almost two years without him. It feels like a flash in time and an eternity, simultaneously. #LittleMightyLoki
Twentieth New Year’s Eve together and he still m Twentieth New Year’s Eve together and he still makes me laugh til I cry {swipe}.
😂
I’m ready for new adventures, new memories, more kindness, and lots of healing in 2021. Among so many things I want for you, I’m especially wishing you belly laughs, abundant pleasure, endless excitement, and great food in the new year. Cheers and  happy New Year, my friends!
I always knew that I would be bounding as Olaf tod I always knew that I would be bounding as Olaf today because he is the epitome of a happy character. But it’s not just Olaf...I’m also bounding today as @joshgad, in a roundabout way, because Josh has brought so much joy and compassion to people. Yes, with his portrayal of Olaf (and so many other characters), but also, and mainly, as himself. He’s such a joyful and kind person, it has been a pleasure laughing and crying along with him, and Olaf, this year. Thank you, sir, for making my 2020 more magical and joyful than it would have been without you!
❄️
Today is the last day of dressemberbound! Thank you to everyone who helped me meet my goal, and helped our team achieve TWICE our original goal!! Please visit the blue link on my profile to see my @dressember funraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
I’m so excited to get to share a fellow bounder I’m so excited to get to share a fellow bounder today for #dressemberbound! It was really, really hard to narrow it down to one because everyone is SO talented and SO fun, but I had to share @rogue_princess_ today because every bound she does brings a smile to face and fills me with joy!
💛
I’d also like to take a moment to share our fearless team leaders: @shebounds and @libraryladylife. They’re both so creative and they’ve been so encouraging throughout the whole month. 
❤️
We’ve been wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
You can do anything in a dress, even slay a dragon You can do anything in a dress, even slay a dragon!
🗡
Pick a prince, any prince! He’s not my favorite, but Prince Phillip sure is dashing.
🛡
Today is the perfect day to make a big impact with @dressember in the fight against human trafficking! There is a donation match running today, with matches up to $84,000!!! Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
“I’m practically perfect in every way.” -Mar “I’m practically perfect in every way.” -Mary Poppins, P.L. Travers
🪁 
Although, truth be told, I’m much more like Michael and Jane... noisy, mischievous, and short-tempered. 😅 Or stubborn, suspicious, and inclined to giggle, if you want to use the movie for reference. 
🌂 
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to my FUNdraiser! I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. There will be donation matching beginning Tuesday, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to make a bigger impact! Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
“If you are what you eat, then I only want to ea “If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” -Remy
🧀
“Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only be aware to stop and savor it.” - Chef Gusteau
🥘
I couldn’t pick just a Remy quote for today because the one by Chef Gusteau is one of my favorites from any movie. I think it’s clear from several of my other bounds this month that food is one of my love languages, and Remy and Gusteau totally get it.
🥐
Please visit the blue link on my profile to see my @dressember funraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
I do not know whether to kill you, or to kiss you. I do not know whether to kill you, or to kiss you.
🕷😘
Miss Spider, James and the Giant Peach
🍑🕸 
I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
And I am here for the food. 🍎 Rizzo the Rat is And I am here for the food.
🍎
Rizzo the Rat is the best part of The Muppet Christmas Carol and when he kisses Gonzo’s nose over the jellybeans, I lose it every time. 😍 And to top it all off, he’s a Gryffindor. 😘
🎄
Merry Christmas to those celebrating today! Happy holidays to those celebrating their special days this season! Love you guys like Rizzo loves food.
❤️
I’m wearing dresses every day in December to help raise awareness and funds to fight human trafficking. I will be making donation matches to any contribution made by Christmas Day, up to a total of $75. Please visit the blue link in my profile to see my @dressember FUNdraising page and to make a donation. 💗 You can also click through to visit my dressemberbound group to see all of the great people who are participating in this funraiser. 💜
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright

Creative Commons License
Bakingdom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. All writing, photography, original recipes, and printables are copyright © 2010-2017 Bakingdom, Darla Wireman. All Rights Reserved. Endorsement Disclosure: Purchases made through Amazon Affiliate links on this blog yield a small referral fee. For more information, click here.

Queenie’s Apple Strudel Dumplings

Happy Happy Narwhal Cake

Prickly Pair Valentine Cake

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes with Perfect Chocolate Buttercream

Happy 7th Birthday, Bakingdom!

A Life Update and An Announcement

Follow on Facebook!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • Copyright © Bakingdom. Design & Development by Melissa Rose Design