This post has been sponsored by Dollar Tree & Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club . All opinions are 100% mine.
The kids are out of school for 3 weeks! I love that the school district in our area gives us an extra week. Plenty of time to play with Christmas toys, spend time as a family and go on mini trips. It also gives us time to make fun treats in the kitchen! The kids and I had fun making this Tie Dyed Cake. We found the instructions for it on the Dollar Tree & Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club !
We called it a “surprise” cake because on the outside it looks like a plain white cake, but when you cut out a slice, you immediately see that the cake is brimming with bright, bold colors. This was our first time making a tie dyed cake and it was so fun and easy to make!
Here is what you will need (all items can be found at the Dollar Store):
2 boxes Mrs. Field’s Yellow Cake Mix (plus eggs, oil, etc. to make them)
1 bottle sprinkles
1 tub vanilla frosting (or powdered sugar to make your own)
2 9” cake pans
1 large batter bowl
Smaller bowls to divide batter into when coloring it.
Food Coloring
The process to make the cakes is super simple! You can find directions here.
Here is a photo of the original cake.
Super fun! But as you can see, we changed up a few things from the original tutorial to make it our own. I prefer homemade buttercream frosting vs. frosting in a can. So I used my favorite homemade recipe (which I will share later in the post). You can find powdered sugar at Dollar Tree too along with other items you might not have thought to look for there.
I found cake pans, cake storage containers and mixing bowls all for…you guessed it, $1.
When pouring my colors into the pans, I once again changed things up a bit from the original instructions and poured ¾ of the first color, then a little less with the second color and so on until the first pan was done.
Then I reversed the process for the second pan, beginning with the last color used in the first pan. The reason for this was to create a larger solid base for the first batter color in each pan. The photos explain it better than I can with words! So bright and colorful!
We also added rainbow sprinkles to our cake for some added color instead of using colored frosting like the original. This gives it the “surprise” effect. And… I like finding excuses to use sprinkles!
Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar (approximately 1 lb.)
2 tablespoons milk
In large bowl, cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add more milk until you reach desired consistency. Makes 3 cups.
If you haven’t heard of the Dollar tree Value Seekers Club, you are in for a treat. It is free to join and the projects change monthly. I had fun browsing the site and looking through crafts, recipes, décor, tips and all sorts of frugal ideas. You can even print your project sheets which make it easy to take with you as a shopping list.
And now it’s GIVEAWAY TIME! Giveaway Closed
Congratulations to the winner, #52. Brittney M!
I am offering one lucky Gluesticks reader a $100 Dollar Tree Gift Card! Just think of the 100 things you could treat yourself with! Craft supplies, baking supplies, party favors and supplies, home and body products, etc. My favorite items are the cleaning and home products.
Tell me your favorite Dollar Tree store product (in a comment below) to be entered to win! Also leave me the email address you used when you signed up for the Dollar tree Value Seekers Club , as a way to validate your entry if you win!
I will announce the winner on January 27th.
Be sure to sign up for the Dollar tree Value Seekers Club to get access to many fun projects! Here are more projects that have been inspired by the Dollar Tree Value Seekers:
This post has been sponsored by Dollar Tree & Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club. All opinions are 100% mine.
Amy says
January 17, 2014 at 8:19 amOMG I love Dollar Tree!! I am so glad that I saw your post, I did not even know about the Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club!! My favorite products of theirs are the craft supplies, and the obscure items they carry that can become craft supplies, I could not pick just one product, sorry:)!
I have become very creative and frugal since cutting my hours at work due to Fibro. But, I LOVE decorating our house, and I am very proud to have made the decor myself, it is a very fulfilling feeling.
So, imagine my excitement when I started seeing lots and lots of Dollar Tree home decor items to DIY on Pinterest!! Oh yeah…the things that I could do with that $100…
Amy says
January 20, 2014 at 4:43 amOh, the e-mail address I signed on with for the Club is [email protected]
Whitney says
January 17, 2014 at 9:56 amI buy foil pans a lot to make freezer meals!
[email protected]
Wendi R says
January 17, 2014 at 10:29 amohhhh that cake looks soooo yummy!!!! my fave thing to get at dollar tree is gift wrapping supplies!!
Aimee C says
January 17, 2014 at 10:59 amI love buying little vases and gift wrapping supplies at the dollar tree! It’s always fun to look for craft supplies there.
Jennifer Schomer-Glatts says
January 17, 2014 at 11:18 amI love ALL of the fun craft supplies they always have and my faves have to be the “as seen on tv” stuff they always seem to have, why pay 19.99?!?, wait a week and its at DollarTree!! 🙂 And like Amy, I did not know about the value seekers club!! I am a member now!! ([email protected]) Thanks for all of your always creative posts! Love your blog! Oh what I could do with $100 gift card to DollarTree!!! Fingers crossed!!
Kathy Sawyer says
January 17, 2014 at 12:09 pmThis seems silly, but I always know I can pick up the individual tissue packs year-round.
Lydia says
January 17, 2014 at 1:37 pmI love to get tissue paper, balloons, and goodie bag type toys at the dollar tree.
Carol says
January 17, 2014 at 2:27 pmSpices! Great choices and prices.
Betty Baez says
January 17, 2014 at 6:27 pmI love to buy kitchen items at the dollar tree like glasses & bowls for parties, foil, to go containers! Love their big selection and all for $1
Michele Schiegner says
January 18, 2014 at 5:08 amAlmost anything I need, I will look for first at Dollar Tree. I buy craft supplies, garden supplies gift bags, rugs, chips & dips, drinks, etc. I could go on and on.
Brenda says
January 18, 2014 at 5:32 amWho knew there was a club?! I sure didn’t, but you can bet I will be joining! lol I love the $ store, and I love everything there, but if I had to pick…glassware and gift wrapping/bags supplies or an anything crafty! lol I know, I know, that was more than one, but how can you pick just one thing?!!! lol Keeping my fingers crossed!
Myeshia U. says
January 18, 2014 at 6:00 amThis looks like so much fun. I am going there today to get craft supplies. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Diana Huffer says
January 18, 2014 at 6:49 amI love the Dollar Tree! Aside from all the items I can use for crafting, I love the seasonal items they carry. I love just going through the store to see what’s available. I never know when I’ll see something I really need or when inspiration will hit! 🙂
Danielle says
January 18, 2014 at 7:58 amI love the plain plates & cups to decorate with vinyl!
Vica says
January 18, 2014 at 8:08 amI love to buy crafts supplies at the Dollar Tree!
Jessie C. says
January 18, 2014 at 8:29 amI like their paper products/wrapping supplies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Callie says
January 18, 2014 at 9:00 amI currently love their holiday pencils as they help my students be able to complete their work with pencils I buy that don’t break my bank!!
gburke says
January 18, 2014 at 9:22 amlove dollar tree .. i mostly got kitchen accessories and gift bags/cards. my son also always get something whenever we are in the store, that makes shopping there so much easier and no complaint 🙂 thanks for the chance.
ghalim at yahoo dot com
Beth K says
January 18, 2014 at 10:47 amI love their seasonal decorations, especially at Christmas. They have so much, I stocked up this year so I could start my Christmas crafts early.
Susan Christy says
January 18, 2014 at 11:03 amYou wouldn’t believe how many $1 flower pots I have from Dollar Tree! 🙂
myfoxypup(at)gmail(dot)com
Brooke Kaminski says
January 18, 2014 at 2:01 pmI love my Dollar Tree we have two in our area and I go alot. My favorite item would have to be the little washcloths you can throw in water and watch them expand. There are tons of pictures to choose from we like to get the comic book characters the most and we have a bunch!!!
Shauna says
January 18, 2014 at 2:10 pmBalloons, party supplies, gift bags, wrapping paper, the list goes on and on!
Julie says
January 18, 2014 at 2:16 pmI buy their cards quite a bit
thanks for the giveaway
Julie says
January 18, 2014 at 2:18 pmI forgot to add my email address used to sign up for the club its aunteegem at yahoo.com
latanya says
January 18, 2014 at 2:18 pmI like the Fabuloso Lavender Multipurpose Cleaner, 22 oz.
dlatany at gmail dot com
Jessica W says
January 18, 2014 at 2:44 pmtheir pregnancy tests….
Gwen D. says
January 18, 2014 at 3:00 pmI buy many of the craft items, stickers and prizes for my speech students at this store.
Lisa says
January 18, 2014 at 3:29 pmI love to get my cleaning supplies from Dollar Tree!
kathy d says
January 18, 2014 at 5:41 pmI buy my grand daughter a box of crackers with tuna fish and a very small spoon for her school lunches. Signed up with [email protected]
silverhairmadam11965 says
January 18, 2014 at 6:06 pmI like to buy craft supplies and foil containers at the Dollar Tree. I’m a member ([email protected])
Lynda Del says
January 18, 2014 at 6:26 pmI buy paper towels and cleaning supplies.
lyndadawinda1074 {at} yahoo {dot} com
Heather B says
January 18, 2014 at 7:09 pmDollar Tree is my first stop while shopping. I use coupons in there and save even more! I have 3 special needs kids and they love that I shop here. And when we go in I give them 1 item that that they must find off our shopping list. That keeps their minds off touching everything so much. 🙂 And if they are good they get to pick a treat/toy or what ever they want. Why??? Because I don’t go broke buying them a reward for their good behavior. We really LOVE the craft section. I love that household supplies and bath and body items are only $1. So many things that are SOOOOO expensive at other stores. Uhmmm NO THANKS!!! Did I say I love Dollar Tree??
realsungirlSunny C says
January 18, 2014 at 8:18 pmCleaning supplies are Wonderful to purchase there!!!!!
Kari S. says
January 19, 2014 at 6:21 amI always buy throwaway foil containers when I bring a dish somewhere so I don’t have to think about bringing it home with me. My favorite thing I found was a tinted moisturizer that I ended up loving!! I went back and bought the remaining ones and I’ll be very sad when they run out.
I signed up with k11haugo(at)hotmail(com)
Debra Womack says
January 19, 2014 at 7:26 amAt my house, the sugar free coffee flavor syrups are very popular. Why spend $5 or $6 on them when you can get them for $1??
The email addy I’m signed up on is debra(dot)womack(at)gmail(dot)com
Dani T says
January 19, 2014 at 8:06 ami love the cleaning products you can buy there! cant beat a dollar! i signed up with daniellex at gmail dot com
kindy monroe says
January 19, 2014 at 9:09 amI love their baskets….I think I have an addiction!
DESIREE H says
January 19, 2014 at 9:43 amI love the presents/gift wrapping section. They have a lot of cards, gift wrap, and bags for a great price!!
Thank you for the giveaway. I used my email in this comment form box to sign up for the Dollar Tree Value Seekers Club!
Thanks
Vera K says
January 19, 2014 at 10:35 amI buy mu Mom those beaded glasses chains. vera khule at gmail dot com
Kimberly Norton says
January 19, 2014 at 1:37 pmLove craft and holiday supplies at Dollar Tree! My daughter loves their endless supplies of hairbows and headbands. Great supply of gift wrap and bags – balloons, too!
Krystal says
January 19, 2014 at 1:41 pmI love the Dollar Tree. I love the home decor and crafting sections. I am a me member [email protected]
Wendy R. says
January 19, 2014 at 1:47 pmWe love the Dollar Tree! My favorite there are all the seasonal/holiday products… like the big fridge magnets! I am signed up using hiwendyhi at yahoo dot com.
Leidy says
January 19, 2014 at 6:16 pmStickers are my favorite product, the kids love them! I signed up. Thanks for the chance to win
Adriane says
January 19, 2014 at 7:21 pmI save big with their trash bags and foil. I also buy their reading glasses – I tend to lose them, but at $1 a pair it’s not critical 😉
Tracy Heyer says
January 19, 2014 at 7:54 pmI love the dollar tree!! The have some cool kitchen stuff and crafts too!! I signed up too!!!
[email protected]
Jessica Wyatt says
January 20, 2014 at 10:23 amThey have great deals on party supplies and kitchen stuff….and of course crafty items (which is mostly what I get!) [email protected]
Ashley Suzanne says
January 20, 2014 at 11:09 amThese look great and I love the baby shower ideas, such as the bottle drinks!
[email protected]
kelly tillotson says
January 20, 2014 at 12:46 pmmy boys love the camillo’s pizza crust. they are dairy and egg free, so my son with allergies can eat them too! love dollar tree!
*kelly
[email protected]
kelli says
January 20, 2014 at 3:04 pmi signed up with “kai love 07 @ gmail , com”
i love the party supplies, esp the soccer them which my kid would love!
Danielle says
January 20, 2014 at 6:08 pmI love all the craft supplies they have! From the construction paper to pipe cleaners. Also love the sprinkles they have.
Amy w says
January 20, 2014 at 6:16 pmAs a frugal homeschooling mom, I love the Dollar Tree’s educational items and art supplies. [email protected]
Angel g. says
January 20, 2014 at 7:04 pmMailing supplies, sounds dumb but saves me a ton of money since Im always mailing things out.
Brandy says
January 20, 2014 at 10:20 pmIt doesn’t sound dumb, I get my bubble envelopes there too!
Brittney McOmber says
January 20, 2014 at 7:21 pm[email protected] is my email I signed up with. What’s my favorite product at the Dollar Tree? The Pregnancy Tests 🙂
Anita M. says
January 20, 2014 at 9:23 pmI go there just to pick up the clear glass marbles i use for magnets. My kids LOVE them and think that they are jewels.
Sara rai says
January 21, 2014 at 2:35 amLove the candles and frames:)
KaySue says
January 21, 2014 at 3:34 amI go there for greeting cards and gift wrapping supplies.
Kelly D says
January 21, 2014 at 9:39 amI like their party and decoration supplies. I like the Round Glass
Floral Bowls. And I signed up for the club under kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom.
Whitney says
January 21, 2014 at 1:32 pmI love the gift wrapping supplies and the aluminum foil pans.
Melissa L. says
January 21, 2014 at 4:44 pmMy favorite Dollar Tree product is decorations. Thanks for the great giveaway! DamianMom at yahoo dot com
Sarah says
January 21, 2014 at 6:35 pmI would buy toys for Operation Christmas Child! I love going there because everything comes in smaller sizes 🙂
Natalie F says
January 21, 2014 at 6:38 pmMy favorite product…oh man, too many to narrow it down! Hmm, I’m very happy with the plastic sandwich box I bought recently to take sandwiches to work. 🙂
I signed up with theshrubberyblog(at)gmail(dot)com.
Danielle says
January 21, 2014 at 8:29 pmPaper Fortune Cookies [email protected]
Becky VanGinkel says
January 22, 2014 at 1:25 amI love buying Holiday decorations and fun treats for the kids at the Dollar Tree!! Having 3 kids it can get expensive when each one wants to buy something, but if I take them to the Dollar Tree I can afford to buy them each a few things lol. And it’s great for Holiday items because the kids love to pick out their own decorations.. they each have different tastes 🙂 Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway and good luck to all!
[email protected]
@SensiblySara says
January 22, 2014 at 5:31 amI like SO many things at the Dollar Tree! I guess I’d have to say their party supplies are my favorite, though!
amweeks says
January 22, 2014 at 5:51 amI love that I can buy Men’s Speed Stick Fresh-Scent Antiperspirant and other name brand products there at great prices! I signed up for the Value Seekers Club. What great ideas and this cake looks awesome!
Melanie Johsnon says
January 22, 2014 at 10:50 amI signed up with [email protected]. Love the Platter Wall Hangings project!
Heather zeh says
January 22, 2014 at 12:45 pmId love to do the magnetic clothespins. My email I signed up is [email protected]
Tiffany Drew says
January 22, 2014 at 1:50 pmWe love the craft supplies! We go there every Thanksgiving for popsicle sticks and construction paper to make hand turkeys with the kids 🙂 I signed up for the club under jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
Lindsey says
January 22, 2014 at 5:25 pmLove their elastic plastic wrap to cover bowls!
lindseyjwinn at gmail dot com
Terry says
January 22, 2014 at 5:55 pmI like the candy section!
I signed up for the Value Seekers Club! I like the chocolate overload brownies as a project.
MichelleC says
January 22, 2014 at 6:41 pmMy favorite items are the trinkets and candies that are unique to Dollar Tree and not sold in other stores that I can package together and make cute gifts or mail to friends, etc. I always hit the dollar tree for gifts, it’s my go to gift store!
MichelleC says
January 22, 2014 at 6:44 pmForgot email address michelle _ cuevas @ ymail . com (remove spaces)
Bert says
January 22, 2014 at 9:45 pmSigned up – [email protected]
Seasonal products are my favorite
Debbie says
January 23, 2014 at 9:54 amcrafting supplies!! (greeting cards & scrapbooking) (and got to love their $1 Mylar balloons…why pay $4 or more each elsewhere!) moonlight369 @ yahoo.com.
Mary Jenkins says
January 23, 2014 at 10:45 amDollar Tree is the only place that carries this lime coconut candy dipped in chocolate that I love! And any time my daughter needs craft supplies like posters and stickers,we head to Dollar Tree.
ashleyh says
January 23, 2014 at 1:10 pmI like their party supplies. Signed up with hewella2 at gmail dot com
rayraycartucci says
January 23, 2014 at 2:44 pmI love all the seasonal goodies like right now they have cute little cloth hearts ,Valentine plates and serving trays. LOVE IT! rachelcartucci(at)gmail(dot)com
David says
January 23, 2014 at 3:37 pmI buy my cleaning supplies exclusively at dollar tree. Also, I always get a few boxes of Mrs Freshley ‘ssnack cakes, which are just as good as the more famous brands.
I am signed up with the email attached to this comment.
Jaclyn Reynolds says
January 23, 2014 at 5:49 pmI love getting shipping supplies at the Dollar Tree! I’m a member [email protected]
Sara Haaf says
January 24, 2014 at 6:46 amThe thing I buy the most from there is little tiny trash bags that I use for litter, exciting, I know! I a a member (littlesillysally AT gmail.com
heather r says
January 24, 2014 at 9:39 amI love the inexpensive glassware, which I’ll use to make that candy buffet look they’re showing on the site. I also only go there for little not so exciting things, like my tooth flossers – it’s a good habit for cheap!
Carolsue says
January 25, 2014 at 2:58 amI am signed up under Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I like the baskets, such as the Round Woven Bamboo Baskets and also the floral supplies and candles. They have good deals on food items quite often, too!
Harmony B says
January 26, 2014 at 4:28 amDollar Tree is my favorite place for party and gift supplies
signed up njharmonyg at aol dot com
Wild Orchid says
January 26, 2014 at 5:44 amWhat a cool cake! My favorite item is their new washi craft tape!
Thanks for the chance to win! SIgned up with the email below:
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Gay Delaney says
January 27, 2014 at 7:34 amI have bought the nicest glassware and plates..email used is [email protected]
Thanks