Creating A Dreamy Foam Wedding Cake

A foam wedding cake, also known as a dummy or faux cake, is an excellent option for those who want the aesthetics of a beautiful tiered wedding cake without the cost and waste of a real cake. Making a foam wedding cake is a fun and affordable DIY project that can be easily done at home. The process involves cutting and gluing Styrofoam rounds or blocks to create the desired cake shape and size, applying a layer of joint compound or spackling, and then decorating with paint, flowers, or other creative elements. The result is a stunning cake that can be used as a prop for photography, events, or home decor.

Choosing a fake cake over a real one

A fake wedding cake, also known as a dummy cake, is a cake made from faux layers. These cakes can be entirely made up of faux layers or incorporate both real and faux layers. Choosing a fake cake over a real one has several benefits. Firstly, it helps with stability, especially in difficult climates with high heat or humidity. Secondly, it allows for uniformly sized slices of cake to be served from a sheet cake, ensuring that all guests receive equal portions.

A faux cake is also ideal if you want to display a large, beautiful cake but have a smaller guest list. You can opt for a full fake cake with a smaller real cake for serving, or choose a tiered cake with a mix of faux and real layers to reduce cake waste. Another advantage of a fake cake is that it saves time during your reception. You can display a stunning cake, cut the top tier during the cake-cutting ceremony, and have a sheet cake cut and served to your guests behind the scenes, ensuring a quicker dessert service.

While a faux cake may not result in significant cost savings compared to a real cake, it does eliminate the waste of having too much cake that may go uneaten. It also ensures that your cake remains intact and stable, especially in warm or humid conditions, so you can achieve the desired visual impact without compromising on taste or portion size.

When deciding between a fake and real wedding cake, consider your guest list size, the desired visual impact, and the importance of the cake-cutting tradition. If you prioritize aesthetics and stability while still wanting to serve delicious cake to your guests, a fake cake with real sheet cakes for serving may be the perfect solution.

Using a mixture of real and fake layers

To create a mixed-layer cake, you can buy pre-cut cake dummies online. These come in various shapes and sizes, and you can even make them from foam salvage to save more money. You can then decorate the dummies to match your real cake layers.

There are many ways to decorate your faux layers. You can use plaster, spackle, or joint compound to create a base layer that looks like icing. You can also use fabric to cover the foam, which tricks the eye into thinking the rest are real cake layers. Paper is another great material, as it comes in many styles and can be cut in various ways. You can also add flowers, ribbons, rhinestones, and other decorative elements to make your cake look elegant and realistic.

If you want to add a real cake-cutting moment to your wedding, you can cut a small piece of foam out of the back of one of the layers. Line the area with butcher paper, and you're ready for the cake-cutting ceremony!

Sizing and shaping your foam

Firstly, decide on the desired size and shape of your wedding cake. You can opt for a traditional round cake or explore other shapes such as squares or tiers. The number of tiers will determine the height and grandeur of your cake. If you're creating a tiered cake, consider the height you wish to achieve and plan the number of tiers accordingly.

Next, purchase foam blocks or rounds in varying sizes and thicknesses. Craft stores or online retailers are great sources for these foam pieces. Ensure you have enough pieces to create each tier of your cake. It's always a good idea to have a few extra pieces in case of mistakes or last-minute design changes.

Now, it's time to cut and shape your foam. Using a sharp knife or a foam cutter, carefully cut the foam pieces to the desired size and shape. If you're creating a tiered cake, cut the foam pieces to gradually decreasing sizes, with the smallest tier being the topmost part of your cake. Ensure that the edges are smooth and even.

For a more intricate design, you can consider carving patterns or details into the foam. This can include creating indentations, curves, or other decorative elements. Just remember to work carefully and slowly to achieve the desired effect.

Once you're happy with the size and shape of your foam pieces, it's time to assemble them. Using a strong adhesive, glue the pieces together to form the tiers of your cake. Place the largest tier at the bottom and work your way up, ensuring each layer is centred and secure. Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

If you want to add extra stability to your foam cake, consider inserting wooden dowels or skewers through the tiers. This will help bear the weight of the upper tiers and prevent the cake from toppling over.

Finally, apply a layer of lightweight spackling or joint compound to the foam to create a smooth surface. This step will also help to conceal any imperfections or seams in your foam structure. Allow the spackling to dry completely before decorating your foam wedding cake.

Remember, sizing and shaping your foam is a creative process, so feel free to adapt these instructions to suit your unique design. With careful planning and execution, you'll be well on your way to crafting a stunning foam wedding cake.

Applying joint compound

Step 1: Prepare the Joint Compound

Before you begin, ensure you have a bucket of joint compound and a spackling knife or tool. You can also use lightweight spackling or spackle for this process.

Step 2: Apply the Compound to the Foam Forms

Use your spackling knife to apply the joint compound or spackle to the styrofoam forms. Spread the compound evenly across the surface of the forms, aiming for a smooth finish.

Step 3: Let the Cakes Dry

Allow your cakes to dry completely. This may take several hours or overnight. If you notice any holes or areas that need repairing, apply another layer of joint compound and let it dry again.

Step 4: Sanding and Additional Layers (Optional)

Once the joint compound is dry, you can lightly sand the surface to ensure a very smooth finish. If you plan to add multiple layers of joint compound, repeat the process, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding the next.

Step 5: Painting

Before painting, you may want to apply 1-2 coats of white paint to give your cake a brighter, cleaner finish. The joint compound dries white but is very dull. If you want a "naked cake" look, you can paint your cake with a tan or brown paint before spackling.

Tips:

• You can use food colouring to tint the spackle for a more realistic look.
• For a dramatic effect, use black spackle to create a chocolate cake.
• If you want to create a tiered cake, use different sizes of styrofoam rounds.

By following these steps, you will be able to apply joint compound to your foam wedding cake, creating a smooth and elegant finish.

Decorating your cake

The fun part about making a foam wedding cake is that you can decorate it however you like. You can use a variety of materials to create the look you want. You can use fondant, buttercream, frosting, modelling paste, or even chocolate to decorate your cake. You can also add edible flowers or other embellishments.

If you want to add a touch of elegance to your cake, consider using fondant. Fondant gives a smooth finish to your cake and can be easily decorated with buttercream or modelling paste. You can also use fondant to create a more intricate design, such as lace.

Another option is to use buttercream or frosting. Buttercream can be piped onto the cake to create a textured look or smoothed out for a more sleek design. You can also add food colouring to your buttercream to create a cake that matches your wedding colours.

If you're looking for a more unique decoration, consider using modelling paste. Modelling paste can be moulded into a variety of shapes and can be used to create a cake topper or other decorations. You can also paint it with edible paint for a more personalised touch.

Finally, don't forget to add some embellishments to your cake. You can use fresh or sugar flowers, sprinkles, or even stickers to add some extra detail. You can also use a cake topper to finish off your design.

Remember, most designs will work for a faux wedding cake, so get creative and have fun!

Frequently asked questions