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Food is the fastest way to anyone’s heart, we believe, so it’s only natural that for such special occasions as birthdays and weddings, you might get the temptation of making a festive cake by yourself.
But why do cakes fail? The problem with the internet is that it makes everything look so easy. Take baking, for example. Quickly scroll through Instagram and Pinterest, and you’ll find countless birthday and wedding cakes baked so perfectly that they barely seem real.
However, they were baked by humans, so if they can do it, why can't you? It can't be that difficult...right? In this case, expectations vs. reality are two very different things, and it frequently turns out that you are no Gordon Ramsay and no Jamie Oliver either.
On the brighter side, though, we are capable of cake wrecks and funny fails. So, cake fails, funny designs happen more often than the creation of a sleek, designer-worthy cake. How to fix cake fails? Usually, there’s no way to fix it, but feel free to use our picture list of funny cakes as a guideline to avoid an epic fail if you try to make one yourself.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Disney Cake Fail
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
Pretty sure the original Disney cover of the little mermaid was equally as phallic. Look it up!
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#2
Hedgehog Cake Fail
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
Rather than taking a bite out of the cake, it looks like that 2nd one rather take a bite out of you!
#4
Expectations vs. Reality
#5
Funny Cake Fail
#6
Elsa Cake Fail
Andrea Workman 8 years ago
In all fairness, that second cake was made with love by a volunteer for a hospitalized little girl who's mom couldn't afford a professional baker.
Finding Joy In Cake Fails
So, the next time your cake doesn't quite match the Pinterest-worthy standards, take a moment to appreciate the uniqueness and share a good laugh with those who enjoy your culinary creations.
#7
Total Cake Failure
#9
Funny Cake Fail
#10
Expectations vs. Reality
Joe Flores 8 years ago
The cake I baked for my daughter would definitely make the cut :P IMG_3834-5...f01a82.jpg 
Sienna39108 5 years ago
Oof R.I.P Wall-E has melted in the oven..he was trying to find eve in there
Destiny nerd 7 years ago
Walls is my favorite Disney character but he is obviously master material for baking.
Your Favorite Norborg 7 years ago
These all look like Someone made the Expectations, but then someone either steps on it, smudges the frosting, or just plain eats the most apitizing part.
Prabhasmyhero Vasanth 8 years ago
Where's the cockroach? It could've made it atleast a little realistic
#11
Creepy Fail
#12
Thomas The Train Fail
#13
No Way It Was The Same Recipe
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
I can see the exact moment you gave up and just threw the colored squares at it.
#14
Cute Bunny vs. Horrible Bunny
If you're into birthday chaos, don’t miss today’s list of celebrities celebrating their birthdays.
#15
Cake Fail
#16
Expectations vs. Reality
#17
Turd-Is Box
#18
Spongebob Squarepants Cake Fail
#19
Birthday Cake Fail
#20
Expectations vs. Reality
#22
Sad Minions Cake
#23
Expectations vs. Reality
#24
Ombre Cake Fail
#26
Expectations vs. Reality
#27
Pug Cake Fail
#28
Bad Cake Design
Kerri Russ 8 years ago
I see where the problem is.. you used apples! The expectations pie is cherry!
#29
Expectations vs. Reality
#30
Wookiee Cake Fail
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
It's pretty clear the issues in most of these cases is applying icing when the cake is already hot and/or not keeping it in a colder environment after.
Jaclyn 8 years ago
True and using a knife to apply icing rather than an icing bag.
Load More Replies...
Bunnies are better!! 8 years ago
Who cares how food looks? As long as it tastes alright, its ok so just EAT IT!!! (before i do)
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Problem is, those are meant for kids mostly. I wouldn't want to face my kid on his birthday after presenting it a cake like that XD
Load More Replies...
Hi I am awkward trash 8 years ago
While I applaud everyone's attempt, but you shouldn't feel bad. The majority of "Expectations" are by professionals or people who have done that cake 203 times. If you don't get it perfect the first time, you are doing okay. If you get it EXACTLY right the first time, you are either a prodigy, or lucky. Overall- At least you tried. Don't worry.
SoldMySoul 8 years ago
Probably these cakes were made by the same person, who did Ronaldo's statue :DD
Jake Roux 8 years ago
A few of these aren't that bad, the difference is essentially picture quality (and failure to realise that professional food photographers use a shitload of tricks, including hairspray on the cake, to make the picture look good). A few of these, however, are horrendous. :)
Tina Solum 8 years ago
On some of the professional once fondant is being used so it does not help to use piping method to make it look the same .. Just saying ; ₩
Siobhan Woods 8 years ago
Half of these are thickness related... Detail work shouldn't be done in store bought icing.... Its too thin... Or as a few have said icing while the thing is hot... Another issue I've notice is some of these require fondant... Which most people dont think to have on hand.... Very rarely is it a fail of someone's technique...
sumaira aslam 4 years ago
Great article. it really a complete guideline for delicious cooking. it also helps me a lot when I have an interest in cooking by using different appliances as mention in my article https://kettlesboiler.com// and your article helps me to work more efficiently on my domain
Diana Campbell 7 years ago (edited)
As bad as these cakes are ( before and After ) take in mind they have to learn the technique as they go, I Know im a cake maker , you have to love doing them , Its alot of dedication and hard work ,But Cheap is not always better , Give them a break we all started out with not so good looking cakes :) This is one of my first hand carved cakes . 12983380_1...296ee4.jpg 
Maria Wellman 8 years ago
They obviously assumed icing could take the place of fondant... it can't, they are not the same....
Maria Wellman 8 years ago
The problem is they think icing can be used in place of fondant.... it can't and there is a difference
Frankie Duke 8 years ago
The problem is they're trying to copy the original cakes (first ones) from instagram
Tammy Hampton 8 years ago
All fake. Like commercials for 'as seen on tv. They make the actors do the worst looking job.? The mol commercial: tired of mopping your floor only to find out it doesn't clean! Call now and. We'll send you the wondermop. It will clean any surface fast and with no left behid dirt. Guess what it's rigged to make you think you need it. SUCKER!
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
In most things, you can AT LEAST, applaud the effort. "Hey, at least you tried!" In these situations however, you cant.
Raquel Garcia Sanchez 8 years ago
I think the real difference may be, I'm going to a good pastry shop, I ask for price of what I want and I'm not going to spend 100, 250, 500 on a cake, I can make it the same, or I have a friend that makes it cheaper or free ... Cheap cake, cheap expectation ....
Martina Solmes 8 years ago
Hmm, I think kids did these cakes and obviously, they tried hard so I think we shouldn't be so harsh on them. The lamb was especially cute.
Haleigh Hughes Wallace 8 years ago
Most of these look like ahit becase they are using icing instead of fondant.
Donna Lawrence 8 years ago
Many of them look pretty good. Some not so well. Great for all trying!
BoredBunny 8 years ago
Most of the problems are not proper use of icing. In cakes that use fondant, the person used icing. And as Amanda Panda said, "It's pretty clear the issues in most of these cases is applying icing when the cake is already hot and/or not keeping it in a colder environment after."
BoredBunny 8 years ago
And guys, let your cakes COOL before applying anything to it.
Load More Replies...
Katinka Min 8 years ago
Lesson One: FIRST bake the cake and THEN, when it's cold, apply decor.
Ivy Lyster 8 years ago
Expectation or reality, I really wouldn't want to eat Cinderella. Or Olaf. It's just so creepy!
Sarah Lennie 8 years ago
Use the correct icing, make sure the cake is cold, don't forget the crumb coat, and a lot of these would have turned out much better.
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
It's pretty clear the issues in most of these cases is applying icing when the cake is already hot and/or not keeping it in a colder environment after.
Jaclyn 8 years ago
True and using a knife to apply icing rather than an icing bag.
Load More Replies... Bunnies are better!! 8 years ago
Who cares how food looks? As long as it tastes alright, its ok so just EAT IT!!! (before i do)
Alusair Alustriel 8 years ago
Problem is, those are meant for kids mostly. I wouldn't want to face my kid on his birthday after presenting it a cake like that XD
Load More Replies... Hi I am awkward trash 8 years ago
While I applaud everyone's attempt, but you shouldn't feel bad. The majority of "Expectations" are by professionals or people who have done that cake 203 times. If you don't get it perfect the first time, you are doing okay. If you get it EXACTLY right the first time, you are either a prodigy, or lucky. Overall- At least you tried. Don't worry.
SoldMySoul 8 years ago
Probably these cakes were made by the same person, who did Ronaldo's statue :DD
Jake Roux 8 years ago
A few of these aren't that bad, the difference is essentially picture quality (and failure to realise that professional food photographers use a shitload of tricks, including hairspray on the cake, to make the picture look good). A few of these, however, are horrendous. :)
Tina Solum 8 years ago
On some of the professional once fondant is being used so it does not help to use piping method to make it look the same .. Just saying ; ₩
Siobhan Woods 8 years ago
Half of these are thickness related... Detail work shouldn't be done in store bought icing.... Its too thin... Or as a few have said icing while the thing is hot... Another issue I've notice is some of these require fondant... Which most people dont think to have on hand.... Very rarely is it a fail of someone's technique...
sumaira aslam 4 years ago
Great article. it really a complete guideline for delicious cooking. it also helps me a lot when I have an interest in cooking by using different appliances as mention in my article https://kettlesboiler.com// and your article helps me to work more efficiently on my domain
Diana Campbell 7 years ago (edited)
As bad as these cakes are ( before and After ) take in mind they have to learn the technique as they go, I Know im a cake maker , you have to love doing them , Its alot of dedication and hard work ,But Cheap is not always better , Give them a break we all started out with not so good looking cakes :) This is one of my first hand carved cakes . 12983380_1...296ee4.jpg
Maria Wellman 8 years ago
They obviously assumed icing could take the place of fondant... it can't, they are not the same....
Maria Wellman 8 years ago
The problem is they think icing can be used in place of fondant.... it can't and there is a difference
Frankie Duke 8 years ago
The problem is they're trying to copy the original cakes (first ones) from instagram
Tammy Hampton 8 years ago
All fake. Like commercials for 'as seen on tv. They make the actors do the worst looking job.? The mol commercial: tired of mopping your floor only to find out it doesn't clean! Call now and. We'll send you the wondermop. It will clean any surface fast and with no left behid dirt. Guess what it's rigged to make you think you need it. SUCKER!
Melody Lanzatella 8 years ago
In most things, you can AT LEAST, applaud the effort. "Hey, at least you tried!" In these situations however, you cant.
Raquel Garcia Sanchez 8 years ago
I think the real difference may be, I'm going to a good pastry shop, I ask for price of what I want and I'm not going to spend 100, 250, 500 on a cake, I can make it the same, or I have a friend that makes it cheaper or free ... Cheap cake, cheap expectation ....
Martina Solmes 8 years ago
Hmm, I think kids did these cakes and obviously, they tried hard so I think we shouldn't be so harsh on them. The lamb was especially cute.
Haleigh Hughes Wallace 8 years ago
Most of these look like ahit becase they are using icing instead of fondant.
Donna Lawrence 8 years ago
Many of them look pretty good. Some not so well. Great for all trying!
BoredBunny 8 years ago
Most of the problems are not proper use of icing. In cakes that use fondant, the person used icing. And as Amanda Panda said, "It's pretty clear the issues in most of these cases is applying icing when the cake is already hot and/or not keeping it in a colder environment after."
BoredBunny 8 years ago
And guys, let your cakes COOL before applying anything to it.
Load More Replies... Katinka Min 8 years ago
Lesson One: FIRST bake the cake and THEN, when it's cold, apply decor.
Ivy Lyster 8 years ago
Expectation or reality, I really wouldn't want to eat Cinderella. Or Olaf. It's just so creepy!
Sarah Lennie 8 years ago
Use the correct icing, make sure the cake is cold, don't forget the crumb coat, and a lot of these would have turned out much better.
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