How to Make Cupcake Wrappers

You know those cupcake liners that have really cool designs…and then you bake a cupcake in them, and the design disappears? Or it looks all brown and greasy? I’ve spent way too much time pondering which cupcake liners would look good after baking. When I entered a cupcake competition, the obsession went to a new level as I wanted to find an affordable but nice looking liner for 300 cupcakes.

I ended up using some greaseproof brown liners that I bought in bulk, but for regular batches of cupcakes, I want to make cupcakes a little prettier. I always eye cupcake wrappers, which come in all kinds of cool designs, but they’re surprisingly expensive. I found the perfect solution: make your own cupcake wrappers! It’s super easy and so much cheaper. Plus, you can make any color/design you want – just look through the scrapbooking aisle at your local craft store for a plethora of options!

Really, think about the cupcake wrapper possibilities: match to a party theme, use glitter paper, your favorite color, pattern, anything goes!

To make cupcake wrappers, you’ll need:

Scissors, cupcakes, pencil, clear tape or a glue stick, scrapbook paper and my free printable template. Optional: I recommend using some patterned scissors to add an even more special touch.

Step 1:

Print out cupcake wrapper template and cut it out.

Step 2:

Trace the template onto the back of your scrapbooking paper. (You could also print the template straight onto your paper, but this method saves you printer ink since you can use the template over and over.)

Step 3:

Cut out the traced shape. If you have patterned scissors, use them to cut the top part of the wrapper.

Step 4:

Roll the wrapper into a circle. Use a piece of clear tape or a little glue to attach the ends together.

Step 5:

Insert cupcake into your wrapper. Enjoy!

I have a unique type of cupcake wrapper I’m working on and I’ll share that template in a few weeks! Until then, tell me: what color/pattern of paper do you want to use for homemade cupcake wrappers?

35 Comments on How to Make Cupcake Wrappers

    • Stephanie
      July 11, 2012 at 9:03 am (12 years ago)

      @Becca – right?! They are SO easy and it’s so much cheaper! Enjoy 🙂

    • NABIL
      May 27, 2016 at 10:29 am (8 years ago)

      wao,such a nice experience i had when i’d finished making it.It saves time and less expensive,thank you so so so so so so much

  1. Naomi A
    July 11, 2012 at 10:09 am (12 years ago)

    Thanks! I always admire a perfectly prim cupcake display!
    Naomi A recently posted My Recent Projects

    Reply
  2. Lauren Razz
    July 11, 2012 at 11:49 am (12 years ago)

    The cupcake wrappers I want to make are…..PINK GLITTER wrappers!!! Are your surprised by my answer? 😉

    Reply
  3. Brenda
    July 26, 2012 at 8:53 am (12 years ago)

    Thank you so much for sharing these! I must admit to using my favorite bakery for the cupcakes themselves (they do a much better job and can make buttercream look like popcorn. ‘Nuff said.) I looked all over the place for wrappers that fit the theme of the party and the cupcakes and found nada. You rescued me and for that I am absolutely grateful.

    Reply
  4. Annie
    August 29, 2012 at 12:29 pm (12 years ago)

    That is so cool!!! Very fun to do with friends too!
    Thanks a ton for sharing.

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      August 29, 2012 at 10:46 pm (12 years ago)

      @Annie – there’s so much you can do with these! It would be fun to make them with friends for sure. Thanks for stopping by!

  5. kaden
    October 3, 2012 at 4:57 am (11 years ago)

    sooo, can you bake them with the batter, like cupcake liners ? no ?

    Reply
    • Stephanie
      October 3, 2012 at 7:36 pm (11 years ago)

      @kaden – no, they’re not quite like liners and I wouldn’t bake in them. I usually use plain white liners to bake and then put the wrappers over them.

  6. Peggy
    November 21, 2012 at 6:25 am (11 years ago)

    Thank you soooo much for the free template! I have been looking for this. Love you site 🙂

    Reply
  7. Tracy
    January 6, 2013 at 2:49 pm (11 years ago)

    I want to make Mickey and friends cupcake wrappers.

    Reply
  8. maria
    January 18, 2013 at 1:11 pm (11 years ago)

    just curious , do you lift the cupcake with them and if you do , does it then slide off it ? because i just dont get how its practically used?

    thanks

    Reply
    • Stephanie Nuccitelli
      January 18, 2013 at 1:35 pm (11 years ago)

      Maria, you wrap them around the cupcake and seal them with tape (or glue if you want), so there’s a snug fit and you can lift it with the cupcake. Then you just slide the cupcake out the wider end when you’re ready to eat it. Does that make sense?

  9. maria
    January 18, 2013 at 1:46 pm (11 years ago)

    thank you , yes it does make sense , but i have seen some rather intricate ones on other sites and i am confused because they look a bit too delicate for me to even lift the cupcake , but they look so wonderful

    Reply
  10. Princess
    March 26, 2013 at 11:25 am (11 years ago)

    This is a great tutorial. I also know that there’s a website called http://www.freecupcakewraps.com. There are loads of free cupcake wrappers on their site and you can upload your photos to their wrappers. I used them to make custom cartoon wrappers for my daughters birthday.

    Reply
  11. Ummi
    May 21, 2013 at 11:24 pm (11 years ago)

    Hi! Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial. Can I share this posting in my blogsite?I will include your link too…

    Reply
  12. Ann
    June 23, 2013 at 3:18 am (11 years ago)

    Thank you so much for this great idea. I have ordered scissors to do the tops, can’t wait to make my own!

    Reply
  13. amy
    October 8, 2013 at 4:55 pm (10 years ago)

    Thank you!!! DIY-ing my son’s pirate themed party, so these will make great boat bases.

    Reply
  14. mia
    February 24, 2014 at 9:08 am (10 years ago)

    pikachu cupcakes!!!!!

    Reply
  15. kayley
    March 16, 2014 at 12:29 pm (10 years ago)

    These are so cute I love them!

    Reply
  16. Anne
    May 16, 2016 at 10:22 am (8 years ago)

    Great idea and thanks for posting template I want to make bun cases for a Harry Potter party so this is very helpful.

    Reply
  17. Joyce Jackson
    May 26, 2016 at 7:10 pm (8 years ago)

    Instead of using tape I am going to use small address labels. People are always asking, “what flavor is this”, so I am going to print the flavor on the label.

    Reply
  18. mary
    August 10, 2017 at 10:20 am (7 years ago)

    Hi I have searched everywhere for a cupcake wrapper for the giant cupcake cake there is none the only option is to cover it with fondant or choc be so much easier to just put a gorg wrapper round it any chance you can design one for it

    Reply
  19. Kylie
    July 3, 2018 at 11:50 am (6 years ago)

    Does anyone know where I can find a template for the larger cupcakes — 6 to a pan?

    Reply
  20. Jennifer
    October 3, 2019 at 10:53 am (4 years ago)

    So I understand it’s still best to use a a basic baking cup to cook them in.. but if I don’t use standard baking cup to cook with them and use the homemade cup after they are cooked; then are the bottoms of cakes just meant to touch the plate or stand they are on? Or are they lifted with baking cup so they don’t even touch whatever base they sit on..

    Reply

5Pingbacks & Trackbacks on How to Make Cupcake Wrappers

  1. […] Personalized Cupcake Wrappers from 52 Kitchen Adventures. Uses scrapbooking paper and includes downloadable […]

  2. […] yet this year for Halloween, which is coming up in a few weeks. Not too long ago, I showed you how to make personalized cupcake wrappers and how to make fortune cupcake wrappers. What better day than Halloween, the mother of all sugar […]

  3. […] If you know Stephanie’s blog, you know that she shares amazing tutorials for cake and cupcake decorating and some of the most adorable dessert treats you have ever seen! I love her post on making a cupcake bouquet or how to make your own cupcake wrappers! […]

  4. […] More Homemade Cupcake Papers […]

Leave a Reply

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

Comment *