Upgrade Your Trader Joe's Mini Sheet Cakes With An Easy Presentation Hack

There are occasions when you'll really want to set aside an afternoon to take on a major baking project. For others, however, you simply don't have the time or energy for such an undertaking. In those moments, it helps to have a go-to dessert hack that will guarantee a gorgeous presentation no matter what the gathering. And if you happen to have a Trader Joe's in your area, you're in luck. 

Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes are the solution to many last-minute cravings for sweets. And because of the cakes' compact size and convenience factor, you can serve even a small group for a celebration without committing to a full bakery version. That said, if you're hoping for a slightly more elegant or elaborate treat, all you need to do is pick up a few of these mini sheet cakes, stack them up, garnish, and voila — a masterful-looking layer cake in minutes. 

Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes even come in multiple flavors, from carrot cake, chantilly cream vanilla bean cake, and dark chocolate ganache cake to a pumpkin spice seasonal variation, so you won't be left wanting. And you can even mix and match as you pile them up. Two of these cakes will give you a satisfying short stack, but you can add another layer to reach impressive new heights with your elevated store-bought treat. And at around $5 each, even three layers will be considerably more affordable than many bakery-made layer cakes.

To execute this tip, just remove your Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes from their containers and lay them side by side. You can take one of two approaches from there. Either simply stack them up, lining up their edges and pressing (firmly but gently) to ensure they'll stay secure. Alternatively, you can use an offset spatula or spoon to carefully remove the frosting from each cake, and set it aside in a bowl. Once you've stacked your treats, you can reapply the frosting to the outside, fully covering the stack. You can even get creative here, and try out the prettiest way to decorate your cake with just a spoon and a bag. 

Part of the beauty of this hack is its customizability, too. If you're looking for a little texture, borrow the caramelized walnuts from a carrot cake recipe or crumble up some lemon shortbread cookies and sprinkle those crunchy bits between cake layers. You can also doctor up the store-bought frosting, adding coloring, spices, or an extract if you're hoping to achieve a particular flavor profile. Garnish your shortcut mini layer cake with fresh fruit and herbs or a grating of aromatic citrus zest. You can even turn olive oil into caramel topping with one extra ingredient and drizzle it over your cake. With this simple secret, you'll have a photo-ready layer cake perfect for any occasion in a snap.