Crafting A Beautiful Dummy Wedding Cake: Tips And Tricks

Dummy cakes, also known as faux cakes, are a great way to save money and avoid waste. They are often used to add an extra tier to a wedding cake for height, or to practice decorating techniques. Dummy cakes are made from Styrofoam discs, which are decorated with materials like fondant, spackling, and joint compound to look like a real cake. In this article, we will discuss the steps to decorate a dummy wedding cake, including choosing the right materials, assembling the cake, and adding final touches. We will also explore the benefits and drawbacks of using a dummy cake for your wedding.

How to make a faux cake look real

Dummy cakes, also known as faux cakes, are a great way to achieve the look of a real cake without the hassle and cost of baking and decorating a real one. Here are some tips to make your faux cake look as realistic as possible:

Choose the Right Materials

Start by selecting the appropriate base for your cake. Styrofoam discs or blocks are a popular choice, as they can be easily stacked to create a tiered cake. You can also use cardboard or paper mâché boxes if you're making a single-tier cake for display only.

Prepare the Base

If you're using Styrofoam, it's important to smooth out any holes, lines, or dents before adding your "frosting." Cover these imperfections with a layer of royal icing, buttercream, or spackling, and smooth it out with a spatula or icing scraper. This step is crucial if you plan to cover your cake with fondant, as these imperfections can show through.

Create the "Frosting"

To make your faux cake look like it's covered in delicious frosting, you can use materials like spackling, fondant, or joint compound. If you want a white frosting look, you can use these materials straight out of the tub. For a pop of colour, mix in some acrylic paint. Add a bit more paint for a bolder shade, but be aware that too much paint can make your "frosting" runny.

Decorate Like a Pro

Once your base coat of "frosting" is dry, it's time to decorate! Use disposable piping bags and various cake tips to create rosettes, swags, dots, and other designs. If you're feeling adventurous, add some decorative elements like faux cherries, sprinkles, or fresh or silk flowers. You can even attach a cake topper for that extra touch.

Display and Care

Finish your faux cake by attaching a piece of cardstock or ribbon to the bottom for a polished look. These cakes can be displayed for extended periods and make beautiful centrepieces for weddings or other special occasions. To clean your faux cake, avoid using water, as it can break down the "frosting." Instead, gently dust it with a dry cloth to keep it looking pristine.

Using styrofoam discs

Dummy wedding cakes are fake cakes made from styrofoam discs, also known as cake dummies. These discs are decorated with materials like fondant, spackling, joint compound, and other embellishments, to make the whole thing look like a real cake.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Discs

Firstly, you will need to select the appropriate size and shape of styrofoam discs for your dummy wedding cake. They come in various sizes and can be round, square, or even custom-shaped. Decide on the desired height and diameter of your cake, and choose discs accordingly. You can find these discs in craft stores or online.

Step 2: Stacking the Discs

To create the tiers of your dummy wedding cake, carefully stack the styrofoam discs on top of each other. You can use hot glue or another strong adhesive to secure the discs together. Plan out the desired height and number of tiers for your cake, and stack the discs accordingly.

Step 3: Covering the Discs

Before decorating your dummy cake, you will need to cover the styrofoam discs with a suitable material. Some options include fondant, royal icing, or shortening. These materials will help create a smooth surface for decoration and ensure that your embellishments adhere properly. Work quickly, especially when using royal icing or fondant, as they can dry fast.

Step 4: Decorating the Cake

Now comes the fun part – decorating your dummy wedding cake! You can use a variety of embellishments, such as sugar flowers, wafer paper decorations, ribbons, figurines, or even fresh flowers and greenery. Get creative and design your cake to match the wedding theme or colour scheme.

Step 5: Adding Final Touches

To add extra stability to your dummy wedding cake, especially if it has multiple tiers, consider using a cake stand or board. You can also add internal supports, such as dowel or straws, to ensure the cake remains upright and secure.

Step 6: Displaying Your Cake

Finally, it's time to display your dummy wedding cake! Place it on a table or stand at the wedding venue. These cakes are perfect for photo ops and can be a beautiful addition to the wedding decor.

Remember, dummy wedding cakes are a great way to create a stunning display without the hassle of baking and decorating a real cake. With some creativity and attention to detail, you can make a beautiful and realistic-looking cake that will impress your guests.

Covering with buttercream

Covering a dummy wedding cake with buttercream is a straightforward process, but it requires patience and precision. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve a beautiful and smooth finish:

Attaching the Cake Board and Dummy Cake:

Start by attaching the cake board to a turntable using strips of tape. This step ensures that your dummy cake remains stable and doesn't slide off while you're frosting. Then, attach the dummy cake to the cake board. You can use tape or melted chocolate as "glue" for this step. To provide extra stability, you can place a small weight, such as a can of beans, on top of the dummy cake.

Applying the Buttercream:

Use an angled spatula to apply the buttercream to the dummy cake. You can follow the example in the video mentioned in the source by applying the buttercream in layers using a piping bag. Remember to spin the turntable regularly to ensure an even and smooth coating. Cover the entire dummy cake, including the top, removing the weight before frosting the top.

Smoothing the Frosting:

Once you've coated the dummy cake with buttercream, it's time to smooth it out. Use a cake smoother or a palette knife to gently smooth out any knicks, blemishes, or imperfections. Even if you plan to add textures or decorations later, it's essential to start with a smooth base. Be patient during this step, as it may take some time to achieve a perfectly smooth finish.

Decorating the Cake (Optional):

At this point, you can choose to stop and admire your beautifully frosted dummy cake. However, if you want to take it a step further, you can add decorations. You can create additional tiers using dowel rods and apply buttercream in the same way as before. Pipe different designs, add candies or treats, or spell out words and phrases. The possibilities are endless!

Preserving and Reusing the Dummy Cake:

To preserve your dummy cake, keep it away from direct sunlight or heat sources to prevent the buttercream from melting. Some bakers suggest spraying the entire cake with hairspray to keep the buttercream intact. If you plan to reuse the dummy cake, simply remove all the frosting and decorations, wash it with mild soap and water, and let it dry completely before reusing.

Covering with fondant

Dummy cakes are a great way to practice cake decorating, add height to a tiered cake, or create a display cake for weddings or competitions. Covering a dummy cake with fondant can be a bit more intricate than frosting a real cake, but the process is quite similar. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you cover a dummy wedding cake with fondant:

Smoothing the Styrofoam Surface:

Before covering the dummy cake with fondant, it is important to smooth out any imperfections on the Styrofoam surface. Tiny holes, lines, or dents can show through the fondant, ruining the desired smooth finish. To address this, use royal icing to fill in any imperfections. Pipe the royal icing over the problem areas and smooth it out with a spatula. Allow the icing to set for about 30 minutes, and then apply a second coat using an icing scraper for a seamless finish.

Stacking Multiple Tiers:

If you are creating a tiered dummy cake, you will need to stack multiple Styrofoam blocks to achieve the desired height. Use hot glue to attach the blocks together, ensuring a secure bond. Once the glue is completely dry, proceed to cover the entire stacked structure with royal icing, as mentioned above.

Applying Fondant to the Dummy Cake:

Now, it's time to cover the dummy cake with fondant. First, wet the Styrofoam surface with water, either by brushing it generously or holding it under running water. This step ensures that the fondant adheres well to the dummy cake. Next, roll out your fondant to about 1/8-inch thick, making sure it is larger than the tier you plan to cover. Carefully drape the fondant over the tier, smoothing it down the sides. Trim off any excess fondant, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Turn the tier upside down, and press down the overhang to create a neat edge. Repeat this process for each tier of your dummy wedding cake.

Decorating the Fondant:

With the fondant base in place, you can now decorate the dummy cake as you wish. You can paint the fondant with food color gel, add fresh flowers or sugar flowers, create decorative swirls, or even apply gold luster dust for a touch of glamour. Get creative and design your dream wedding cake!

Storage and Display:

Once you have finished decorating your dummy wedding cake, you may need to store it before displaying it. Storing a fondant-covered dummy cake can be tricky, as it may attract tiny pests like house lizards. Keep the cake covered in a large plastic bag or another suitable container to protect it from the environment. With proper storage, your dummy wedding cake can last for a long time, providing a beautiful and lasting display.

How to make a double-barrel cake

Dummy cakes, also known as fake cakes, are a great way to create a realistic-looking cake at a low cost. They are often used for small weddings or other special occasions where the host wants a large tiered cake but does not have a large number of guests to feed. Dummy cakes can also be used for cake displays and cake-decorating competitions.

Step 1: Stack the Cake Blocks

If you are unable to find a single block of styrofoam that is tall enough for your desired cake height, you can stack two blocks of the same size on top of each other. Attach the blocks together using hot glue and let the glue set completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Cover Holes and Dents

Use a piping bag to fill any holes, dents, or lines on the styrofoam with royal icing. This step is important, especially if you plan to cover the dummy with fondant, as these imperfections will be visible otherwise. Smooth the icing with a spatula, and let it set for about 30 minutes.

Step 3: Apply a Second Coat of Icing

Apply a second coat of icing to any sections that need further coverage. Use an icing scraper to smooth out the icing and create a seamless finish. If there are any rough patches, smooth them with a spatula dipped in water.

Step 4: Cover with Fondant or Buttercream

To cover the dummy with fondant, wet the block with water so that the fondant sticks well. You can use a large brush to apply the water, or hold the block under a running tap and shake off any excess water. Then, roll out your fondant and cover the dummy just as you would a normal cake.

Alternatively, you can cover the dummy with buttercream or another frosting of similar consistency, such as royal icing or ganache. There is no need to crumb coat the dummy, and you can apply the final coat of frosting directly.

Step 5: Smooth the Edges (Optional)

If you want to give your dummy cake a slightly rounded edge, use a rolling pin to smooth the edges before covering it with fondant.

Now your double-barrel dummy cake is ready to be decorated! You can add fresh or silk flowers, ribbons, rhinestones, or any other embellishments that suit your desired design.

Frequently asked questions