How to Make Frosted Cake Plates

Cake plates, also known as dessert stands or elevated serving plates, are a good way to display baked goods or to use for holiday decorations. While these can be costly to purchase, they can easily be made with items you have on hand (or purchase at a thrift store) and specialized spray paint.

STEPS:

-{ Preparing the Plates and Bases }-

(1)   Remove any stickers, residue, or old candle wax from the bases and plates. Wash thoroughly. It is recommended that you run the items through the dishwasher and then hand dry off any water residue.

(2)   Match up a base with a plate. Some plates have flat bottoms that can accommodate any base, while others have a rimmed edge that may prevent you from using wide-top bases. Make sure that the plate and top of base sit evenly against one another.

{-Spraying the Plate and Base}-

(1)   Prepare your work surface. In a well-ventilated area (garage, patio, porch), lay newspaper or plastic sheeting down as a protective layer.

(2)   Spray the frosted glass coat as primer.

• Lay your plate upside down, with the base on top. (You will attach the base in the next section.)

• Spray a light even coat of the frosted glass spray over all surfaces.

• Let dry 15 minutes and repeat.

• Once the second coat has been applied and is dry, turn over the plate and spray a light even coat over the surface of the plate.

• Let dry 15 minutes and repeat. Dry for 30 minutes.

• Note: Most spray paints will not adhere directly to glass, which is why you need the frosted glass coat to act as a primer.

(3)   Spray your color coat. Turn your plate upside down and set base on top.

• Spray the color over the plates and bases in an even light coat.

• Let dry, as recommended on the can, and repeat until the desired color is achieved. Then you can flip over and do the same on the surface of the plate.

• Note: It is not necessary that each coat is completely uniform, and do not try to even out the coats, as this will result in a layer that is too thick and will run. Be patient and do 2 to 4 thin color layers.

-{Forming the Cake Stand}-

(1)   Attach the base to the chosen plate. Once the paint has completely dried (wait at least 2 to 3 hours), turn the sprayed plate over. There should be a white ring with no paint on it, where the base sat while being spray painted. This is where you are going to apply the waterproof silicone sealant. Squeeze a thick ring of sealant around that white edge and place the base on top, pressing firmly.

• Leave to dry for a few hours upside down, then you can turn it over to finish curing.

• Wait overnight to begin using, so that the silicone is fully set.

(2)   Finished. Use with cakes, cookies, sweets, snacks and other finger food.

TIPS:

• While you want your work area to be well ventilated, make sure that there is no floating debris or dust. Particles of dust, animal hair, or other debris can adhere to the painted surface as it is drying and cannot be removed.

• Because you should use a generous amount of silicone to attach the base to the plate, some may seep out around the edges. Given that this is the bottom of the cake stand, it is unlikely to be seen, but feel free to clean up with a metal or wooden object. (Do not use Q-Tips, as they will leave behind cotton strands.)