Big Fails and Bigger Laughs: 29+ Cake Decorations Gone Wrong

Whether it's a mom trying to turn Pinterest goals into reality or a cake decorator who didn't quite get the memo, these #cakefails never fail to make us laugh... Here's a roundup of decorated baked goods gone wrong.

Happy Birthday to U(SB)

When it comes to themed birthday cakes, people can get pretty creative with the design. From family pictures to superheroes, pretty much anything can be printed onto a cake! Including a USB stick, apparently.

Sure, it's possible… But this was no purposeful design, rather a hilarious mixup. "A friend of mine ordered a picture cake and gave the woman a thumb drive with the picture she wanted to use," the Reddit user confessed. Something tells us that the intended picture would've made more sense!

Cat and Gown

A classic case of 'broken telephone' will never cease to provide hilarious cake decorating mishaps. The first of many communication breakdowns on the roundup include a graduation cake that went hilariously wrong. Who knew that one little letter could change so much...

Well, Reddit user bluesberry certainly knows now! "My mom ordered a graduation cake with a cap drawn on," she explained of this nonsensical celebratory cake. "I guess they misheard." They most certainly did! Rather than a cap, she got a cat positioned on her head.

Auto Signature Fail

There are very few instances where technology doesn't make our lives easier. In fact, ordering a cake has become way faster thanks to online purchasing options! But, like all things in life, technology also has its downfalls, especially if people take messages a little too literally...

1stwurldgrl provided a perfect example of this. "My friend in China ordered a cake for his son. He texted the bakery the message to appear on the cake, "Happy 9th birthday." This is what he received," the user explained. Auto signature: 1, birthday cake: 0. LOL!

Literal Cupcakes

When it comes to cake decorators, something tells us that they follow the mantra, "when in doubt, interpret literally." But TBH, we can't always blame them because people can leave some pretty cryptic instructions on cake orders! This one, however, wasn't so difficult to understand.

Personally, we would've omitted the "on both," but hey, that's just us! Instead, the lucky birthday celebratee got some very literal cupcakes. But as long as they taste as delicious as they count as a #decoratingfail, we'll chalk it up to a win anyways!

A Simple Request

This 2008 graduate had a lot to celebrate: finishing up studies and landing a spot on a #cakedecoratingfail roundup! Whether it was the person ordering or the cake decorator who got their wires mixed up, we think this was a classic case of miscommunication...

The simple request of "I want sprinkles" most likely was meant to be in the "special notes" section of the order but somehow found its way into the "text" category instead. And the result? An LOL-worthy cake that many can identify with. "Don't we all?" one user commented jokingly.

Spelling Mishap

When people are placing their cake orders - either on the phone or online - they most definitely have a specific vision in mind. And while many see that vision come to life, others are left with a cake that results in some puzzled faces. And poor Randy, unfortunately, fell into the second category.

Whether the instructions were meant to say "in the flag" or "on the flag," they most certainly weren't meant to be written in black icing on Randy's 50th birthday cake. But, between the green grass and golf balls, this #cakefail at the very least nailed the theme!

"#BigRegret"

Some people just don't like making a big deal about their birthdays. Whether they are in denial about their age or prefer to skip out on the attention, there are endless reasons why people opt out of a big annual affair. But what happens when a party pooper gets backed into a corner and forced to pick a cake design?

Well, just ask George Duran, who learned a tough lesson when it came to birthday cakes. "I was asked what I want written on my cake. I said "nothing." #bigregret," the chef shared on Twitter. Something tells us that next year he'll be a bit more cooperative...

Where Are the Stars and Sprinkles?

It looks like the graduation cake without sprinkles has a long-lost friend! And that friend is celebrating a 30th birthday - but with no stars or sprinkles in sight. Instead, it's another case of a cake decorator who took the instructions a little too literally...

The way we see it, this cake was supposed to have "30" front a center with an array of cake confetti around it. But hey, that's just us! Instead, this Reddit user was left with a fairly bland birthday cake that left them wanting more in the decoration department...

No Musical Notes for Amber

Unlike the previous cake, Amber got a little bit of a theme for her birthday cake. Thanks to the guitar, it's clear that this birthday girl is a serious music lover. But there's still something missing from the cake, and it's on full display thanks to the #cakedecoratingfail.

The decorator nailed the guitar, nailed the birthday message, but what's with the "musical notes" message at the top?! This looks like another case of literal interpretation on the cake decorator's part. All we can say is better luck next year, Amber! LOL.

Order: Confirmed

From birthdays to graduations and so much more, there are endless reasons to order a cake - which means endless cake decorating options to choose from! And for the parents of Rebecca, they were hoping to get a specific design to celebrate their daughter's confirmation.

"We ordered a confirmation cake for our daughter. Selected image #315 from a book of decorations to be applied to the cake. This was the outcome. No, no, very nice...," the couple vented on Imgur. We can't help but imagine what #315 might be! But we'll never know...

Missed Theme Opportunity

Comic book heroes, Disney cartoons, sports... There are endless themes to tap into to take a birthday cake from an ordinary baked good to a celebratory masterpiece. But that's only if the person decorating the cake truly knows what's what. And in this case, they missed the mark just a bit...

"We asked Safeway to make a Star Wars cake for our editor Frank. This is what they gave us," the Imgur user shared of this epic #cakefail. Users in the comments couldn't get enough of this mishap, chiming in to add, "He might as well change his name to Frank Starwars if he hasn't already." LOL!

Some Imagination Required

Just like Amber's music-themed cake lacking in music notes, Ben will just have to flex those imagination muscles to picture what is missing from this "bon voyage" baked good. But as much as this decorator missed the mark, we have to give major points for the flawless font work!

We can only imagine that Ben is off to the state of Texas for either studies or just plain adventure, but either way, we're taking that hint from the very literal interpretation of instructions that the cake master followed. Some cakes just require a little reading between the lines...

Backwards 1

Some of the #cakefails on this roundup fall short in the decoration category or even grab laughs thanks to the far too literal interpretation from the cake decorators at hand. But from first glance, this baker seemed to totally nail the brief for the customer!

But then again, we're not looking at this cake through a mirror - and that's where the problems begin. This decorator gave it their all when decorating a "1" and "0" for the customer, and it turned out fabulous! That is until they realized the 1 was backwards...

Spooky Cake

While some #cakefails have a professional look to them, others scream DIY-gone-wrong. And this Halloween cake definitely falls into the second category. While the mastermind behind this creation swore that it was meant to be a ghost, we're a little confused ourselves...

Sure, it's white and has got some pretty haunting eyes, but that's about as far as the resemblances go for this fondant-covered creation. What's left to hope for is that the cake itself makes up for it in taste. After all, it's on the inside that's what counts, right?

"Under Neat"

What's better than a #cakefail thanks to a case of broken telephone? A #cakefail that also includes a spelling mistake! But if we're being completely honest, everything is written very "neatly," just like the cake decorator thought the customer was asking for.

While Suzanne will be missed following her departure, she'll have to infer that from well wishes said to her in person, rather than the text on her cake. This eyebrow-raising mishap most likely left some people fairly confused at the goodbye party, but it made for an excellent addition to the roundup!

Happy Easter?

If YouTube tutorials are guilty of one thing, it's making cake decorating look a little too easy. It seems as though the professional with the tube of frosting in hand can turn any cake into a fantastical creation with a few simple moves. But in reality, things don't always turn out that great.

Just ask Angela, who bravely shared her epic #cakefail on social media for the world to see. "It's supposed to be a bunny," she confessed in the caption. Somewhere beneath the black icing, there are whispers or a rabbit, but TBH we can't say she hit the nail on the head with this one.

Broken Telephone

While some broken telephone cake disasters are easy to decipher, others leave cake lovers with quite a puzzled look on their faces. And "sorry shaved steak" is just one of those phrases that we wouldn't expect to see on a delicious baked good. So what went wrong?

"Kyla, my 3-yr old German Shepherd grand puppy, ate 2 strips of steak tips off the counter before Scot could get them on the grill," Jackie explained. "Gina felt bad and went out to get replacement meat and a cake for an apology. She asked the kid to write on the cake, 'Sorry she ate the steak.'" LOL!

Happy Face Meltdown

When it comes to #cakefails that leave party-goers speechless, it's safe to say that the best course of action is to laugh it off and not take the ridicule too seriously. After all, all experts started as beginners at some point in time, right? Luckily, novice baker Adriana knew how to take a joke.

Laughing at her decoration attempt, she shared this haunting picture on Instagram with a caption reading, "This is what nightmares are made of. Or, what happens when you can't decorate cakes and your fondant melts." Consider the lesson learned: keep the cake in the fridge.

Where's the Delete Button?

When it comes to embracing one's inner Great British Bake Off champion, inspiration can strike at the drop of the hat. And when a little liquid courage is thrown into the mix, it's easy for things in the kitchen to get a little out of control. But hey, it makes for some pretty funny cakes!

"A recent pic from covid carrot cake Outtakes. Don't drink and decorate," this certified #cakefail baker shared. It looks as though excitement got the best of them, and a letter was left out of the birthday message in question. Either way, happy birtd! LOL.

'A' for Effort

When it comes to being a mom, sometimes the pressure can pile up. From cleaning up messes, catching monsters under the bed, and making delicious meals, little kids can often think that their mothers are superheroes with endless powers. But when it comes to cake decorating...

Let's just say that not everyone excels in the department. "There is no filter to fix this, nothing went according to plan, so I threw on some sprinkles, glitter, and the last few smarties I could find and hope that my kid still loves me tomorrow," this defeated momma joked online.

Stay in School, Kids!

In a crunch, 15 bucks can stretch pretty far! From family-sized pizzas to deals at the grocery store, there's no shortage of great ways to spend $15. But when it comes to pre-made cakes at the supermarket, chances are that the enticingly low price may come with some risks.

One unsuspecting shopper was witness to this epic #cakefail that was either the result of a super rushed job or someone who struggles with spelling and grammar. Either that, or it's the well wishes from a proud pirate in honor of graduation. "Congration, you done it!"

DIY (Don't Ice Yourself)

The love that parents have for their kids knows no bounds. When kids say "jump," parents say "how high?" and when kids say, "I want a Sesame Street-themed birthday," parents say, "consider it done!" However, the execution might not turn out as planned...

But that doesn't mean that moms like Sharon don't get an A for effort! "When Elmo is life, but mom never practiced cake pops before... #nailedit #failedit creepy Sesame Street cake pops for the win," she laughed on Instagram. Yikes! It's the thought that counts, right?

Humidity: 1, Cake: 0

Speaking of Sesame Street... Cookie Monster himself is a popular and beloved children's television character. After all, what's more relatable than someone who loves cookies? And with some shaggy icing and some googly eyes, he's a fairly easy character to recreate on desserts.

However, that's only if the integrity of the decoration isn't compromised due to humidity... A lesson this baker learned the hard way. "Apparently, if you seal the cupcakes in a tub overnight after sticking the eyes on, you get zombie Cookie Monster," the caption read.

Haunted Mermaid

In theory, an Ariel-themed birthday cake sounds like a great idea, right? Well, a quick scroll on Pinterest may show some pretty enticing designs that seem simple enough to follow. But when it comes to working with fondant, things can spiral out of control in a matter of seconds.

And the result? A fairly haunted mermaid. "Two years ago today, I made this cake for a friend that loves #mermaids," this user shared on Instagram. "1 like equals 1 prayer, this poor girl has seen some s***." Something tells us that people were too mesmerized by the eyes to even take a bite of this creation!

Sweaty Unicorn

While some of the #cakefails on the roundup are thanks to confused cake decorators or beginner DIY enthusiasts, others are victims of elements out of their control. From the looks of it, this sweaty unicorn had all the makings of a beautiful cake! But as the baker soon learned, "a cook's best friend is not weather extremes!"

"It was 34 degrees Celcius, and the buttercream kept melting, just minutes after I piped the front rosette, it slipped off the cake and had to be repaired," the defeated baker continued to explain. "In the end, I gave up and vowed to remake it in cooler climes." Consider this sweaty unicorn a lesson for us all - LOL!

Nine Tails

"#Throwbackthursday to that time I tried to make a Nine Tails bday cake for the boy," Eliza captioned the #cakefail that she courageously shared with the internet. For those who need a little background, Nine-Tails (also known as Kurama) was one of the nine-tailed beasts that inhabited the world of Naruto.

This fantastical manga beast is displayed quite majestically in the series. However, when left to the hands of a novice baker, things don't always go according to plan - no matter how earnest the intentions are. From the wide eyes to the worrisome frown, this cake fox has certainly seen better days!

Communication Fail

While the roundup of decorating fails has featured many celebratory cakes gone awry, not all #cakefails sync up perfectly to a birthday, graduation, retirement, or holiday. Sometimes, we splurge on these decorated baked goods just "for fun." But that doesn't mean that decoration mishaps can't happen.

Just ask Traci! "Went to Great American Cookie Co. Ordered a cookie cake with the instructions 'it's just a cake for fun... but for a boy, so put boy stuff on it,'" she explained of the good deed gone wrong. "This is the cake I got." It looks like someone over at Great American Cookie Co. got a tad confused...

"Abstract" Easter

According to some of the biggest food critics in the game, we eat with our eyes first. And if that's the case, then some of these eyes may be left disappointed, thanks to beginner cake decorators who missed the mark on the Pinterest instructions. Luckily, the eyes aren't the only way to taste.

"At least it tastes good," Kristina assured her followers of her Easter cake gone wrong. And while a red eye might not be the cutest decoration idea in the books, at the very least, this chocolatey creation was sure to please people's stomachs with its crunchy finish.

Expectation Versus Reality

Pinterest and YouTube instructions can make fondant work just look far too easy. And when the expectation versus reality doesn't end up in one's favor, it's pretty easy to get frustrated. But alternatively, it can be a big source of laughs - if the baker is willing to laugh at their own mistakes, of course!

"I think I'm getting worse not improving!!" this defeated baker joked online. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first installment of the elf decoration, and it certainly wasn't the best either - according to the picture's caption. Hopefully, the next attempt won't be crying... LOL!

Shakey Hands

Even some of the earlier store-bought cakes - while hilarious examples of broken telephone - still boasted some pretty impressive handiwork when it came to the icing work and cursive print on the cake. But this cake is a different story, one that Alyson felt was worthy of a share online...

"My daughters wanted to get me some cupcakes for my birthday yesterday, so my mom stopped in at @vons & asked them to write a quick birthday message for me," Alyson captioned this squiggly picture. "Needless to say, they might need to train their cake decorators a little more, looks like this lady might be a little unstable."