• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Pirate Ship Cake

    Published: Jul 27, 2022 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    Ahoy! This adorable Pirate Ship Cake and Treasure Map Cupcakes are perfect for any kids birthday. It’s so fun and easy to make too!

    pirate ship and treasure map cake

    What could be more fun than a pirate ship cake? This is an awesome cake that will make you wish you were sailing the seas and finding treasure! The boat has a skull on it, so nobody will try to steal your loot!

    pull apart treasure map cake

    It’s crazy that I actually made this cake about ten years ago for my son’s birthday party. I came across some old photos and thought this cake was too good to not share and good inspiration for those that would like to make it.

    This pirate ship and treasure map cake tutorial will show you how to create a beautiful cake that is perfect for any pirate-themed party. The steps are easy to follow, and the end result is a wonderful cake that will be sure to impress your guests.

    how to make a pirate ship and treasure map cake

    What You Need to Make the Pirate Ship

    Box of Chocolate Cake + ingredients listed on box
    Chocolate Frosting
    Lemonheads
    Butter Braided Pretzels
    Lifesavers
    Pirate Flag Toppers
    13×9 inch Baking Pan

    What You Need to Make the Treasure Map

    Box Vanilla Cake Mix + ingredients listed on box
    Large Tub Vanilla Frosting (may need 2)
    Light Brown Food Coloring
    Blue Food Coloring
    Black Icing
    Red Icing
    Graham Crackers
    Cupcake Pan
    Cupcake Liners
    Chocolate gold coins
    Items to decorate cake with (I used Lego pieces)

    Will Also Need

    Large piece of cardboard for cake to fit on
    Aluminum Foil

    bake cake and cut into three sections

    Make the Cake

    Bake the chocolate cake per directions on box in a 13X9 inch baking pan. Set cake aside and allow to cool.

    how to assemble a pirate ship cake

    Build the Pirate Ship Cake

    Cover cardboard with aluminum foil.

    Once cake is cooled, flip pan over onto aluminum foil positioning where you want the cake (don’t forget to make room for the treasure map cupcakes). Cut into 3 rectangles. 2 at the top and one at the bottom.

    Place 2 rectangles on top of each other.

    Cut at an angle at one end so it looks like the front of a pirate ship.

    Using the last rectangle, cut a small rectangle for the back of the boat and make a triangle shape for the front of the boat. Add them on top of the cake leaving an opening in the middle.

    Add another rectangle on top of the back one but make it smaller. (can add a tad bit of frosting in between layers to hold them together)

    pirate ship cake

    Decorate the Pirate Ship Cake

    Frost the entire cake with chocolate frosting.

    Add the decor – sails (flags and toothpicks), railings (butter braided pretzels), cannons (lemonheads) and portholes (yellow lifesavers).

    Make the Cupcakes

    Make and bake the cupcakes per directions on the box. Set aside and allow to cool.

    Build the Treasure Map

    Once cupcakes are cooled, position them on the aluminum foil close to the pirate ship to look like a treasure map.

    pirate treasure map pull apart cake

    Decorate the Treasure Map

    In a bowl, add vanilla frosting but leave some in the tub to make the water. Add some drop of light brown food color and stir. When you get the desired shade, frost the tops of the cupcakes.

    Using the red icing, add a red “X” for where the treasure is buried. Then, make dashes to the red “X” using the black icing.

    Finish decorating with a treasure chest and gold coins.

    Add blue food coloring to the remaining frosting in tub and mix together. Spread all around the pirate ship and treasure map to create an ocean.

    Crush graham crackers and spread around the cupcakes to create sand.

    Add some fun things like palm trees on the island and populate the ocean with crocodiles, sharks or fish.

    pirate ship cake for a pirate themed birthday party

    Recipe

    Pirate Ship Cake

    EverydayShortcuts.com
    Ahoy! This adorable Pirate Ship Cake with Treasure Map Cupcakes is perfect for any kids birthday. It's so fun and easy to make too!
    No ratings yet
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American

    Ingredients
      

    Pirate Cake Ingredients

    • Box of Chocolate Cake + ingredients listed on box
    • Chocolate Frosting
    • Lemonheads
    • Butter Braided Pretzels
    • Lifesavers
    • Pirate Flag Toppers
    • 13 x9 inch Baking Pan

    Treasure Map Cupcakes

    • Box Vanilla Cake Mix + ingredients listed on box
    • Large Tub Vanilla Frosting may need 2
    • Light Brown Food Coloring
    • Blue Food Coloring
    • Black Icing
    • Red Icing
    • Graham Crackers
    • Cupcake Pan
    • Cupcake Liners
    • Chocolate gold coins
    • Items to decorate cake with I used Lego pieces

    Will Also Need

    • Large piece of cardboard for cake to fit on
    • Aluminum Foil

    Instructions
     

    Make the Cake

    • Bake the chocolate cake per directions on box in a 13X9 inch baking pan. Set cake aside and allow to cool.

    Build the Pirate Ship Cake

    • Cover cardboard with aluminum foil.
    • Once cake is cooled, flip pan over onto aluminum foil positioning where you want the cake (don't forget to make room for the treasure map cupcakes). Cut into 3 rectangles. 2 at the top and one at the bottom.
    • Place 2 rectangles on top of each other.
    • Cut at an angle at one end so it looks like the front of a pirate ship.
    • Using the last rectangle, cut a small rectangle for the back of the boat and make a triangle shape for the front of the boat. Add them on top of the cake leaving an opening in the middle.
    • Add another rectangle on top of the back one but make it smaller. (can add a tad bit of frosting in between layers to hold them together)

    Decorate the Pirate Ship Cake

    • Frost the entire cake with chocolate frosting.
    • Add the decor – sails (flags and toothpicks), railings (butter braided pretzels), cannons (lemonheads) and portholes (yellow lifesavers).

    Make the Cupcakes

    • Make and bake the cupcakes per directions on the box. Set aside and allow to cool.

    Build the Treasure Map

    • Once cupcakes are cooled, position them on the aluminum foil close to the pirate ship to look like a treasure map.

    Decorate the Treasure Map

    • In a bowl, add vanilla frosting but leave some in the tub to make the water. Add some drop of light brown food color and stir. When you get the desired shade, frost the tops of the cupcakes.
    • Using the red icing, add a red "X" for where the treasure is buried. Then, make dashes to the red "X" using the black icing.
    • Finish decorating with a treasure chest and gold coins.
    • Add blue food coloring to the remaining frosting in tub and mix together. Spread all around the pirate ship and treasure map to create an ocean.
    • Crush graham crackers and spread around the cupcakes to create sand.
    • Add some fun things like palm trees on the island and populate the ocean with crocodiles, sharks or fish

    Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @everydayshortcuts or use #everydayshortcuts on Facebook, TikTok or Instagram to let us know!

    More Recipes

    • Strawberry Pretzel Fluff
    • American Flag Charcuterie Board
    • Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad
    • Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
    FacebookTweetPin

    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour
    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs
    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss
    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • 4th of July Cheesecake
    • Bomb Pop Cookies
    • Snowman Cheese Ball
    • Jingle Juice Recipe

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2025 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required