I used a regular full size Barbie. Baked the cake in an 8 cup glass measuring cup and also needed an 8 in round layer. I sliced the dress into 3 layers and cut a wedge into each layer so the Barbie would slide in easily without spliting the layers. This gives you 4 layers with the 8 in on the bottom and icing between each layer. You can slip Barbie into a plastic baggie and tape it to keep her fairly clean.