Pirate Ship Cake

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!

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!

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.

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

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.