Have you taken up a new hobby in the last year? Serenata Flowers revealed that half of 1,000 UK women asked have tried a new hobby since lockdown began, with 34 per cent trying their hand at baking. Wow!
Related: The best gifts for bakers
No matter who you are or how long you've been baking for, if you're keeping yourself busy in the kitchen, then we've got some news for you. It's time to start showing off your banana bread, cupcakes or two-tier sponge thanks to the best cake stands.
Nobody is expecting you to be the next Nadiya Hussain, Sophie Faldo or Candice Brown, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take pride in what you make. There's nothing more satisfying than doing a grand reveal in your kitchen, whether that's for your family or taking photos for your amateur baking Instagram page.
Cake stand inspiration
As well as uploading snaps of your cupcakes, brownies and sponges to Instagram - you can also use the social media platform as a source of inspiration.
When it comes to finding the best arrangement for your home, it's good to shop around.
You can easily re-create these looks at home, keep reading to find out how.
How we chose the best cake stands
All of these displays have been hand-selected by What's The Best shopping experts. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching the best cake stands, so you can choose the best one. We'd never recommend a product we don't believe in. Find out why you should trust us here.
Lots of different factors come into play when choosing the best cake stand. Here at What's The Best we have taken design and build, price, size and longevity into consideration.
Best cake stand short list:
InnoGear Cake Turntable
Maison & White Store 2-Tier Slate Cake Stand
The White Company Glass Cake Stand
PME White Wire Coated Cupcake Stand
Sara Miller Chelsea Collection Cake Stand
Best cake stands UK
InnoGear Cake Turntable
Best budget cake standKeep it real simple with this turntable. The sleek white design won't outshine your cheesecake, but it does mean that you can slowly spin it to cut the piece you want. Genius! Why we like it:• Cheap• A good option to display layered cakes• Includes two palettes knives and three cream scrapers for decoration
The White Company Glass Cake Stand
Best cake stand for large cakesOn the search for an elegant cake stand? Everything about this number screams chic and sophistication. The best thing about it is that the glass design means it will feel at home no matter your décor. Why we like it:• The aesthetic• It's large• Allows your cake to be the masterpieceTried and tested April 2021 - check out our full review from Senior Commercial Content Writer, Lily Anderson, below.
PME White Wire Coated Cupcake Stand
Best cupcake cake stand If you're baking cupcakes with the kids, there's no better way to display your creations than with this white stand. There's space to put not one, not two but 19 different cupcakes. We love it. Why we like it:• It's surprisingly easy to clean• Looks good• Decent size
Sara Miller Chelsea Collection Cake Stand
Best three-tier cake stand Afternoon tea for two? Or just somewhere to display your freshly baked goods? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, then a Sara Miller Chelsea Collection Cake Stand is ideal for you. Why we like it:• Bold print• Lots of space• Touches of real 22-carat gold
Banquet Plateau with Glass Dome
Best glass dome cake standWhether you're whipping up brownies or a pound cake, this glass dome stand should be in any avid bakers arsenal. We love the lid detailing, but if you're creating a large two-tier cake, you'll need to display without it. Why we like it:• Good value for money• Showcases bakes well• Good for smaller cakes
Relaxdays Rotating Cake Stand
Best rotating cake standThere's no better way to display your impressive culinary skills than with a 360-degree rotating cake stand. Forget the special occasion, this can be used any day of the year. What we like:• Made from stainless steel• Can be used for desserts of savoury goodies• Non-slip surface
Oliver Bonas Marble Double Tier Cake Stand
Best marble cake standMarble is all the rage right now, this 19th-century style is making a major comeback, and we're living for it. Bring a little luxury to your home-baked extravaganzas. What we like:• Easy to assemble• Every stand is unique• Its surprisingly big ( 46cm x 38cm x 17.5cm)
Melamine Cake Stand
Best colourful cake standWant to add a pop of colour to your kitchen? This Melamine Cake Stand from Not On The High Street is the perfect way to do it. What we like:• Made from melamine• Available in a variety of sizes• Choose from yellow, white, pink, black, mint and blue
Maison & White Store 2-Tier Slate Cake Stand
Best slate cake standFarmhouse-styled kitchens are the perfect home for this lovely stand. Not only can you display sweet treats like blondies, but sausage rolls and sandwiches for an at-home afternoon tea won't go a miss. Why we like it:• Good size for displaying multiple small bakes• Rustic aesthetic• Easy to clean
ceuao 3 Tier Cake Stand
Best tower cake standTalk about impressive - this elegant tower cake stand is perfect for afternoon tea in the garden. Whether you're holding a special birthday brunch or just having family over, this is a fabulous way to serve food. What we like:• Handle makes it easy to carry• Small, but easy to store• Lovely aesthetic
The verdict: best cake stand
We can agree that all of these cake stands are a treat, but there can only be one winner. When it comes to the best cake stand we have weighed up our options and had to go with The White Company Glass Cake Stand.
Tried and tested verdict:
Best cake stand overall
www.thewhitecompany.com
Our Senior Commercial Content Writer, Lily Anderson, was up to the challenge of testing The White Company Glass Cake Stand. As a self-confessed cake enthusiastic, a sweet tooth came in handy for this review.
Lily's thoughts:
"You can see for yourself that this cake stand is an absolute showstopper. If you consider yourself the next Mary Berry, then you 100 per cent need this for your kitchen.
"As soon as I unboxed this piece, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The lead-free crystal glass glistened in the afternoon sun and looked an absolute dream when displayed. But, to give you an idea of how big this is, I placed a simple sponge cake on it with strawberries.
"Although just 13.5cm tall, the diameter of this beauty is a whopping 31.5cm - plenty of space for you to put a three-tiered cake and extra decorations.
"There were little imperfections in the piece - a bubble here and there, but for me that just made the cake stand unique and didn't distract from the overall look. The White Company does outline that size and shape may vary due to the handmade nature.
"Overall, I'm impressed with the quality of this stand. As it's glass, there is a risk of breakage, but as long as it's treated with care and stored away from pets or children, it's undoubtedly a stand that can be enjoyed for years to come."
Pros:
• Surprisingly large
• Sturdy
• Simplistic, yet elegant
Cons:
• Expensive
• Few imperfections, but part of the charm
Frequently asked questions:
Do cake stands keep cakes fresh?
If you're a big fan of baking, keeping your cakes fresh is a must. Want to know whether or not cake stands will keep your sweet treats moist? We looked to American sweetheart and master of baking Martha Stewart to find the answers.
According to advice from the baking extraordinaire, "Even cakes and pies, which might throw up your flares to refrigerate, will stay fresher on the counter. Place cakes on a covered stand or keeper, and wrap pies tightly in plastic wrap. You'll want to consume them within two to three days."
Alternatively, you can ditch the plastic with these quick and easy eco swaps for an ethical home life.
What to display on a cake stand?
When you've not got your catering hat on, you can use your cake stand to display all sorts of wonderful things. Here are 11 ideas to get your creativity flowing:
- Candles
- Fruit
- Trinkets
- Artwork
- Bread
- Books
- Flowers
- Tea cups
- Donuts
- Plants
- Sandwiches
How make cake stand:
Instead of buying a cake stand, there are plenty of ways to upcycle unused items that have been stored around your house.
From spare bits of wood to old dessert plates, we guarantee you have something at the back of the cupboard you can use. If you're handy with DIY and have a hot glue gun at your disposal, there's so much that you can do.
Don't believe us? Check out this incredible YouTube video on how to make your own cake stand by Georgia's Cake.
Now that you finally have your very own cake stand, it's time to start baking!
What to read next:
Lily Anderson is a Senior Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media, where she tests products for titles such as Heat, Closer, What’s the Best and Mother&Baby.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from Lily and the rest of the What’s The Best team.