Learn how to make a candy dome with a real working dispenser!
A few pieces of cardstock can hold candy as a simple box. But when you add a dome and dial that actually dispenses the candy? Now we’re having fun! I’m going to show you how to make a candy dome that gives out a treat with a turn of the dial.
These are such fun Halloween party favors, classroom treats, or little gifts for your favorite ghosts and goblins. They look much more complicated than they really are, too. The moving mechanism uses layers of cardstock and one tiny brad, and yes… it really works!
Watch the full step-by-step how to make a candy dome tutorial:
How Does a Candy Dome Treat Holder Work?
The candy sits inside a clear dome on the front of the project. Behind it is a scalloped cardstock dial with an opening cut into it.
Turn the dial until the openings line up, and a piece of candy drops out! Spin it closed again, and the treats stay tucked inside.
That little bit of movement is what makes these cute candy holders so much fun. My favorite part is how the mechanism doesn’t need complicated hardware, and works with just cardstock, the plastic dome, and a small brad.
What Designs Are Included With the Candy Dome SVG Files?
I made three Halloween designs so you can choose your favorite: a black cat, a wrapped mummy, and a bubbling potion cauldron.
Each one has layered details that give the finished project lots of personality. You can also change your cardstock colors and make them your own. I love projects like this because the same basic idea can feel completely different with a new pattern or color combination.
My free SVG files are sized for the domes in my supply list, which measure about 3.1″ across.
What Supplies Do You Need to Make a Candy Dome?
The project uses simple materials including cardstock, a clear dome, craft glue, and a brad for the moving mechanism. A compatible cutting machine makes cutting the pieces easy, but you can use my free PDF file to help you cut them by hand, too.
Some of my layers use glitter cardstock, which adds a little sparkly Halloween magic without making the project harder to assemble. I share the whole assembly process in my full step-by-step video, so you can craft right along with me.
How Do You Assemble a Candy Dome Treat Holder?
In my full video tutorial, I’ll show you how to layer the decorative cardstock pieces, then attach the clear dome and sandwich its flat lip securely between cardstock layers.
Next comes the dial. A brad holds the moving pieces together, but it needs enough room to turn freely. Whatever you do, don’t glue the scalloped moving piece!
Once everything is lined up, test that dial before the glue completely dries. That gives you a chance to loosen anything that feels sticky.
How Do You Personalize a Candy Dome With Vinyl?
Want to take your candy domes to another level?
Inside ADVANCE with JenniferMaker, I show you how to create a custom vinyl decal in Cricut Design Space and apply it to the curved dome.
Add a name, spooky phrase, or decorative details to make one especially for a party guest, teacher, neighbor, or trick-or-treater. The workshop also includes extra design elements you can mix and match.
Because the dome is curved, I’ll show you how I get the transfer tape to contour to the surface, helping to reduce wrinkles and bubbles in your decal.
It’s a useful technique you can carry into future vinyl projects, too! Learn more about ADVANCE here!
Get the Free Designs and Watch the Video Tutorial
Find my free Candy Dome designs in my free resource library under Design #829. Watch the whole video before starting to make your own candy domes. You’ll see how the dome and cardstock work together, and which design you’d like to try first. Then follow along with me and make your own!
Materials to Make Candy Domes
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items I used.
- One (1) 3.1” Clear Plastic Candy Dome
- Several Sheets 8.5″ x 11″ 65 lb. Cardstock (in a variety of colors)
- One (1) Sheet 8.5” x 11” Green Glitter Cardstock (optional for the “potion” design)
- One (1) Sheet 8.5” x 11” Purple Glitter Cardstock (optional for the “potion” design)
- One (1) Brad Fastener – 0.5″ length
- Candy Filler
- One (1) 2″ Dome (optional for Joy-sized version)
- A way to cut your materials – I’m using the Cricut Maker 4, but you can use any Cricut Maker series machine, a Cricut Explore series machine, a Cricut Venture, or a Cricut Joy series machine
- Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat 12″ x 12″
- Brayer
- Scraper
- Weeding Tool (for poking out small cut pieces)
- Craft Glue (I used Bearly Art Precision Glue)
- Measuring Tape
- Copy Paper (optional to keep brayer clean if using glitter cardstock)
- Design #829 (My free SVG/DXF/PDF design files are available in my free library – get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Make a Candy Dome Dispenser
How To Make A Candy Dome
Learn how to make a candy dome with a dispenser for Halloween!
Materials
- One (1) 3.1” Clear Plastic Candy Dome -OR-
- One (1) 3.1” Clear Plastic Candy Dome
- Several Sheets of 8.5" x 11" 65 lb. Cardstock (in a variety of colors)
- One (1) Sheet of 8.5” x 11” Green Glitter Cardstock (optional for the “potion” design)
- One (1) Sheet of 8.5” x 11” Purple Glitter Cardstock (optional for the “potion” design)
- One (1) Brad Fastener - 0.5" Length
- Candy Filler
- One (1) 2” Clear Plastic Dome (optional for Joy-sized version)
- Copy Paper - Optional to keep brayer clean if using glitter cardstock
- Design #829 (My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library - get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
Tools
- A way to cut your materials - I’m using the Cricut Maker 4, but you can use any Cricut Maker series machine, a Cricut Explore series machine, a Cricut Venture, or a Cricut Joy series machine (if using a Joy or Joy 2, use the 2” domes linked above)
- Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat 12" x 12"
- Brayer
- Scraper
- Weeding Tool (optional for poking out small cut pieces)
- Craft Glue (I used Bearly Art Precision Glue)
- Measuring Tape (optional if using a different dome than the 3.1” dome linked above)
Instructions
STEP 1: GET MY FREE CANDY DOME DESIGN FILES
First, download my Candy Dome designs from my free library – look for Design #829. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.
In the SVG folder, you’ll find “cat,” “mummy,” and “potion” candy dome designs.
There’s also a DXF folder with versions for use with other cutting machines. There’s also a PDF version of my designs that you can print and use to cut the designs by hand.
TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.
STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR DESIGN
CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
- Upload your chosen SVG to a blank Canvas in Cricut Design Space.
NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with the “cat” design, but you can follow the same instructions for the other two designs as well.
TIP: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
- If you’re using the 3.1” diameter domes linked in my supply list, skip to Step 9.
- If you’re using a different dome than the ones linked in my supply list, use a tape measure to measure the diameter across the bottom of one dome, from one outside edge to the other.
- In Cricut Design Space, click the “Shapes” icon and select the free circle to add it to your Canvas.
- Click the “Basic Cut” operation dropdown menu and change the circle’s operation to “Guide.”
- Click “Size” and resize the circle to match the diameter of your dome.
- Drag the design under the guide circle.
- Keeping the “Size” lock icon closed to maintain proportions, use the design’s corner handles to resize it so the guide circle fits just inside the round opening in the design. Now your candy dome project is the right size to fit your dome.
TIP: Test cut your topmost design layer to check that the dome fits before cutting the rest of your pieces. - “Ungroup” the design to work with the elements separately. You can drag them apart to see everything as needed.
NOTE: The cat has four design layers (black, orange, teal, and yellow) as well as an orange dome cover, two orange dial pieces, and a black outer backer.
The mummy has three design layers (black, gray, and white), as well as a white dome cover, two white dial pieces, and a black outer backer.
The potion cauldron has three design layers (black, purple, and green), as well as a black dome cover, two black dial pieces, and a black outer backer. - To change the color of a piece to match the cardstock you’ll cut it from, select the piece, then click the Color Box next to the operation dropdown menu to pick a new color.
- The design for your candy dome is ready to cut!
CUTTING
- Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
- Click “Make.”
TIP: If prompted, click "On Mat," choose your mat size, and click “Confirm.” - On the “Prepare” screen, make sure the correct “Material Size” is selected for your materials.
NOTE: I’ll choose “8.5 in x 11 in” for all of my mats. - Make sure Mat 1 is selected so it loads first on the next screen, and click “Continue.”
- On the “Make” screen, choose the “Base Material” setting for your first mat. I used the following material settings:
Plain 65 lb. cardstock: "Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)" setting with “More” Pressure
Glitter cardstock (for the potion cauldron): “Glitter Cardstock” setting with “More” Pressure
NOTE: If the intricate details on your pieces aren’t cutting well, the “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (Intricate Cuts, 2x Pass)” setting with “Default” Pressure works well too. - Place the cardstock pretty side up on a green StandardGrip machine mat in the orientation that matches your screen.
- Use a brayer to make sure the cardstock is fully adhered to the mat.
TIP: If you’re using glitter cardstock, place a clean sheet of copy paper over it before using the brayer to keep the brayer clean. - Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
- Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
- Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
- When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
- When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the material.
TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts. - Use a scraper tool to clean off the small bits left on your mat after you remove the cut pieces of cardstock.
- Use a weeding tool to poke out any small bits of cardstock that are still attached to your cut pieces.
- Lay out all of the pieces face up to make sure you have them all, using your Canvas in Cricut Design Space for reference.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR CANDY DOME
- Using your Canvas in Cricut Design Space as reference, stack your design layers (the layers that make up the cat, mummy, or potion cauldron without the dome cover, two dial pieces, and outer backer) face up from top to bottom.
NOTE: The design layers have a full circle cutout. Set aside the dome cover, two dial pieces, and outer backer pieces with wedge-shaped cutouts for now.
NOTE: The cat has four design layers, with black on top, then orange, then teal, then yellow at the back.
The mummy has three design layers, with black on top, then gray, then white at the back.
The potion cauldron has three design layers, with black on top, then green, then purple at the back.
TIP: If you cut any of them from different colors of cardstock, use your Canvas in Cricut Design Space to help you determine which layer goes where. - Turn the stack of layers over so the backmost piece is on top.
- Pick up the backmost layer, and as if you’re opening a book, turn it over and place it face up next to the layer underneath.
- Apply craft glue to the back of the next layer on top of the stack. Be sure to apply glue on the thin cutout areas.
TIP: Add small dots of glue to the thinnest areas to avoid seepage. - Pick up the glued layer and turn it glue-side down.
- Line up the edges on the glued layer with the edges on the last piece you flipped over. Be sure the edges of all areas are aligned and flush before the glue dries.
- Press the layers together over the entire design to adhere them, paying special attention to the thin cut areas.
TIP: If any glue seeps out from the edges or from underneath the cutouts, quickly wipe it away with a finger or paper towel. - Repeat Steps 4-7 with the remaining design layers, in order.
NOTE: Keep the dome cover, two dial pieces, and outer backer pieces with wedge-shaped cutouts set aside for now. - Place a plastic dome on your work surface so the outside curve is facing up.
- Apply a line of craft glue around the top lip of the dome.
- With the layered design face up, place it over the dome so the glue adheres the dome’s lip to the back of the design.
- Press around the opening of the design, then hold it in place for about one minute until the glue sets.
NOTE: If the lip of your dome is warped and doesn’t stay flush against the cardstock all the way around, that’s OK – the dome cover will hold it in place. - Turn the dome and design over so they’re face down.
- Place the dome cover face up on your work surface.
TIP: The dome cover doesn’t have the extra arc-shaped cutout over the wedge-shaped dial window present on the back cover. - Apply craft glue to the back of the design, including around its edges and the dome.
- Grab the dome cover, turn it face down, and adhere its front to the glued back of the design.
- Flip the project over so the dome is pointing up, and press around the design to adhere the dome cover layer.
TIP: Be sure the edges of all areas are aligned and flush before the glue dries. - Turn the project back over so it's face down.
- Grab a brad fastener and insert it into the dome cover’s middle hole from the inside of the wedge-shaped dial cutout, so the prongs stick out toward you.
- Hold the dial piece with scalloped edges face up and slide the brad’s prongs through the matching middle hole.
- Hold the dial cover with smooth edges face up and slide it onto the brad the same way.
- Rotate the dial pieces to align their wedge-shaped cutouts toward the design’s top.
- Open the brad’s prongs and push them flat against the dial cover so they’re below the cutout.
- Avoiding the scalloped-edge dial, apply craft glue to the dial cover, brad prongs, and around the outer edges of the design’s back.
NOTE: Do NOT apply any glue to the scalloped-edge dial, only the dial cover, so the dial mechanism can move freely. - Adhere the outer backer to the back of the design and dial. Be sure the outer edges are aligned and flush.
- Insert your fingers (or a small, cylindrical tool like a pen or weeding tool) into the dial’s wedge-shaped opening and press against the edges to make sure they are aligned and flush.
- Press against the thin area between the cutouts and below the dial to make sure the outer backer is well-adhered to the dial cover.
- Flip the project over so the dome is pointing up, and press around the design to secure the layers as the glue sets.
- Before the glue completely dries, turn the project back over and use your finger to spin the scalloped dial to make sure it moves freely.
- Spin the dial so the opening is clear, and fill the dome with small candies of your choice.
- Spin the dial closed to keep the candy inside.
STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!
Here’s my finished candy dome!
Notes
Finished Candy Dome Sizes:
Cat: 6” x 8”
Mummy: 6.3” x 7”
Potion: 6.5” x 6.85”
Answers to Your Questions About Making Candy Domes
A: My files are designed around a plastic dome approximately 3.1″ across.
The important part is the flat lip around its base. That lip gets trapped between the cardstock layers, which helps hold the dome securely in place.
A: Yes. If your dome is a different size, use a circle as a sizing guide and check the fit before cutting everything. Set it to the diameter of your dome, then resize the project proportionally.
A: For the cardstock shown in my tutorial, I use Medium Cardstock with More Pressure for several layers. My sparkly layers use the Glitter Cardstock setting with More Pressure.
Always make a test cut when needed for the best results, since materials and blades can vary.
A: I add a thin line of glue around the dome’s flat lip, then lower the decorated cardstock over it.
Another cardstock layer goes behind the dome. Pay special attention to the outer edge so everything lines up cleanly and the lip stays trapped between the layers.
A: The biggest rule is simple: don’t glue the scalloped dial.
Your brad should hold the pieces securely without squeezing them together too tightly. If the dial feels stiff, slightly loosen the prongs.
Testing the movement before the glue dries is the best way to catch a sticky spot early.
A: Too much glue near the moving section can stop the dial from turning.
Keep glue sparse around that area. If it begins sticking before everything dries, gently move the dial back and forth.
My detailed step-by-step assembly video will also help you see exactly where the adhesive belongs.
A: Choose small candies that can move easily through the dispenser hole.
Large pieces or treats with irregular shapes can wedge inside. I recommend testing one or two pieces before filling the whole dome.
That quick check can save you from having to rescue trapped candy later!
A: They may look mechanical, but dome candy holders are surprisingly approachable once you see the layers.
The dial is really just carefully arranged cardstock held together with a brad. Take your time during assembly and test the movement as you go.
If you’re comfortable cutting and gluing layered cardstock, candy dome holders can be a great project for trying something with a moving part.
The mechanism adds interest without requiring complicated tools. Watching the assembly first can also make the pieces much easier to understand.
A: Yes! The basic mechanism doesn’t have to stay spooky. The included files are Halloween designs, but the basic idea could inspire Easter, summer, Hanukkah, or Christmas candy holders with different artwork and colors.
Change the colors, decorations, and treats to fit another celebration. Once you understand how the pieces work together, you can start imagining all kinds of themes.
A: If you want to use my candy dome designs for commercial use, please familiarize yourself with my important licensing information before selling your crafts.
A: If you want quick troubleshooting or you want to show off your finished candy dome projects, my Cricut Facebook group can be a helpful place to compare notes and see what others are doing.
Get my free SVG/DXF/PDF files to make your own Candy Dome projects!
(If you do not see the signup form above, click here.)
I absolutely love seeing your handmade crafts! Once you’ve followed my candy dome tutorial and made your own, inspire others and share photos of your project in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
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