Toilet Paper Roll Cake: A Deliciously Deceptive Dessert Recipe

August 19, 2025 by Paula

Table of Contents

Toilet Paper Roll Cake: A Sweet Surprise

Have you ever looked at a roll of toilet paper and thought, “That looks delicious”? Probably not! But get ready to have your mind blown with the Toilet Paper Roll Cake – a surprisingly delightful dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. This isn’t a cake *made* of toilet paper, of course. Rather, it’s a cake shaped to *resemble* a roll of toilet paper. It’s a whimsical, conversation-starting treat perfect for parties, gag gifts, or just a playful baking project.

This article will guide you through every step of creating your own Toilet Paper Roll Cake, from gathering the ingredients to the final decorative touches. We’ll cover different flavor variations, frosting techniques, and even tips for making it look as convincingly (and hilariously) realistic as possible. So, grab your apron, and let’s get baking!

Why Make a Toilet Paper Roll Cake?

Aside from the obvious novelty factor, there are several reasons why you might want to try this quirky cake:

It’s a conversation starter: Imagine bringing this cake to a party! It’s guaranteed to be the center of attention and a great way to break the ice.
It’s surprisingly delicious: Don’t let the unusual appearance fool you; this cake can be incredibly tasty. You can customize the flavors to your liking, ensuring a delightful treat.
It’s a fun baking project: This cake offers a unique challenge for bakers of all skill levels. It’s a chance to get creative and experiment with different techniques.
It’s perfect for gag gifts: Looking for a funny and memorable gift for a friend or family member? The Toilet Paper Roll Cake is sure to elicit laughter and appreciation.
It’s customizable: You can tailor the cake to fit any occasion or dietary restriction. Gluten-free, vegan, chocolate, vanilla – the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for a Toilet Paper Roll Cake are similar to those of a standard cake, but with a few additions for shaping and decoration. Here’s a general list:

For the Cake:

Cake Flour: Provides a light and tender crumb. All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute, but the cake might be slightly denser.
Sugar: Granulated sugar for sweetness and moisture.
Baking Powder: A leavening agent that helps the cake rise.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
Milk or Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter. Buttermilk will give the cake a slightly tangy flavor.
Oil or Melted Butter: Adds moisture and tenderness. Butter will provide a richer flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake.

For the Frosting:

Butter: Unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, is the base for most frostings.
Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure to the frosting.
Milk or Cream: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth and spreadable frosting.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the frosting.
White Fondant: This is crucial for creating the “toilet paper” effect.
Gel Food Coloring (Optional): For tinting the fondant or frosting, if desired.

Equipment:

Mixing Bowls: For preparing the cake batter and frosting.
Electric Mixer: For creaming butter and sugar and mixing the batter.
Spatula: For folding ingredients and spreading frosting.
Baking Pans: You’ll need pans that will allow you to create a cylindrical shape. Options include:
Cylindrical Cake Pan: If you have one, this is the easiest option.
Loaf Pan: Bake two loaf cakes and stack them.
Bundt Pan: Bake one bundt cake and cut it to shape.
Parchment Paper: For lining the baking pans to prevent sticking.
Rolling Pin: For rolling out the fondant.
Pizza Cutter or Sharp Knife: For cutting the fondant.
Toothpicks: For securing the fondant to the cake.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now, let’s get to the fun part – baking and assembling your Toilet Paper Roll Cake!

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your chosen baking pan(s) or line with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk or buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan(s).
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare the Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.
Add the milk or cream and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

If you baked multiple cakes (e.g., two loaf cakes), level them with a serrated knife to create a flat surface.
Stack the cakes on top of each other, spreading a layer of frosting between each layer. This will act as “glue.”
Use a serrated knife to carve the cake into a cylindrical shape, resembling a toilet paper roll. Don’t worry about making it perfect – imperfections will add to the realism!
Frost the entire cake with a thin layer of frosting. This is called a crumb coat and will help to seal in any loose crumbs. Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.

Step 5: Create the “Toilet Paper” Effect with Fondant

On a clean, lightly powdered surface, roll out the white fondant to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
Cut the fondant into strips that are slightly wider than the height of your cake. The length of the strips will depend on the circumference of your cake.
Starting at the bottom of the cake, gently press a strip of fondant onto the frosted cake, overlapping the edges slightly.
Continue adding strips of fondant, working your way up the cake. Use toothpicks to secure the fondant in place, if necessary.
Once the entire cake is covered in fondant, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to trim any excess fondant at the top and bottom.
To create the “ripped” effect, gently peel back some of the fondant at the top of the cake. You can also use a toothpick to create small wrinkles and creases in the fondant.

Step 6: Add the Finishing Touches

You can add a small amount of frosting to the top of the cake to resemble the end of the toilet paper roll.
For an extra touch of realism, you can use a toothpick to create small indentations in the fondant, mimicking the texture of toilet paper.
If desired, you can tint a small amount of fondant with gel food coloring and create a small “brand label” to stick onto the cake.

Flavor Variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavoring your Toilet Paper Roll Cake. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting: A classic combination that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Add chocolate chips to the batter for an extra dose of chocolatey goodness.
Vanilla Cake with Raspberry Filling and Vanilla Frosting: A light and refreshing option. Spread a layer of raspberry jam between the cake layers for a burst of fruity flavor.
Lemon Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting: A tangy and zesty cake that’s perfect for summer. Add lemon zest to the batter and frosting for an extra boost of lemon flavor.
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: A decadent and visually stunning cake. The red color of the cake will contrast beautifully with the white fondant.
Funfetti Cake with Vanilla Frosting: A playful and festive cake that’s perfect for birthdays. Add sprinkles to the batter and frosting for a fun and colorful touch.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Toilet Paper Roll Cake

Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the cake will taste.
Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting: Frosting a warm cake will cause it to melt.
Use a crumb coat: A crumb coat will help to seal in any loose crumbs and create a smooth surface for the final frosting.
Roll out the fondant thinly: Thick fondant can be difficult to work with and will make the cake look bulky.
Use toothpicks to secure the fondant: Toothpicks will help to keep the fondant in place while it sets.
Get creative with the decorations: Add your own personal touch to the cake to make it truly unique.
Practice makes perfect: Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually master the art of making Toilet Paper Roll Cakes.
Make sure your frosting is the right consistency: Too thin and it will run, too thick and it will be hard to spread.
Store the cake properly: Keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent it from drying out.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with the best instructions, baking can sometimes be tricky. Here are some common problems you might encounter and how to fix them:

Cake is dry: Make sure you’re using enough liquid in the batter. You can also add a tablespoon or two of sour cream or yogurt to the batter to add moisture.
Cake is too dense: Don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough cake.
Frosting is too thin: Add more powdered sugar to thicken the frosting.
Frosting is too thick: Add more milk or cream to thin the frosting.
Fondant is tearing: Roll out the fondant on a lightly powdered surface. You can also add a small amount of shortening to the fondant to make it more pliable.
Fondant is not sticking to the cake: Make sure you’re using a crumb coat. The crumb coat will provide a smooth surface for the fondant to adhere to. You can also use a small amount of water or corn syrup to help the fondant stick.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

The Toilet Paper Roll Cake is best served at room temperature. To store the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. The cake will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Before serving, allow the cake to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Conclusion

The Toilet Paper Roll Cake is a fun, quirky, and surprisingly delicious dessert that’s sure to impress. With a little bit of patience and creativity, you can create a cake that’s both visually stunning and incredibly tasty. So, go ahead and give it a try. You might just surprise yourself (and your friends!) with your baking skills.

Whether you’re making it for a gag gift, a themed party, or just for the fun of it, this cake is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to create a Toilet Paper Roll Cake that’s both memorable and delicious. Happy baking!