Okay, so it's that time of year again. I'm planning my first cake entry in the Confections on Parade Cake Show in San Diego! Last two years I entered the Non-Cake Novelty category. Anyway, I'm curious what the best way to cover cake dummies is. I'm going to have the cake covered in fondant but what should I cover the dummies with before I apply the fondant. Will my fondant tear over the sharp edges of the dummies? And.....do I have to dowel the tiers? I plan on making a four or five tier stacked cake!!!!
I have to start gathering all my supplies now so all help would be so very much appreciated!!!
Amy
i wrapped them in plastic wrap, then BC and then fondant...not sure about the dowels between layers but i would suggest one going through all the layers.
Hi, cakemommy!
Are you coming all the way from WA for the San Diego competition? I live in SD and I went and saw all the entries last year. So far I haven't had the time to enter the contest, but hopefully I can one of these days.
Let me know what you're entering, so I can check it out! Good luck!
cakemommy,
I have never covered a dummy cake with fondant, however, I did a dummy wedding cake about a year ago that was a 4 tiers. I used those wood skewers you use for shish-ka-bobs to stick through the dummies to hold them together. I also used a thick foam board, purchased at Hobby Lobby for the base and stuck the skewers into it so the cake wouldn't slide off. I covered the dummies with royal icing, let it set and then a iced the cake with buttercream. I tell you it was a breeze to transport, only 45 miles by car, far closer than what you are talking but it was super light weight and I just walked in and set it on the table, wish they were all that easy!!! Anyway, I envy your San Diego trip!! I used to live there and loved it, now I live in the midwest and am freezing to death!!
Hope this is helpful and you have a great trip!!
~luraleigh~
cakemommy,
I have never covered a dummy cake with fondant, however, I did a dummy wedding cake about a year ago that was a 4 tiers. I used those wood skewers you use for shish-ka-bobs to stick through the dummies to hold them together. I also used a thick foam board, purchased at Hobby Lobby for the base and stuck the skewers into it so the cake wouldn't slide off. I covered the dummies with royal icing, let it set and then a iced the cake with buttercream. I tell you it was a breeze to transport, only 45 miles by car, far closer than what you are talking but it was super light weight and I just walked in and set it on the table, wish they were all that easy!!! Anyway, I envy your San Diego trip!! I used to live there and loved it, now I live in the midwest and am freezing to death!!
Hope this is helpful and you have a great trip!!
~luraleigh~
Hi Cakemommy,
I only brush my dummie cakes with water and cover them with fondant. It´s sticks really good and you can take if off and use it again if any cracks should happen. Let them dry for several days and "glue" them together with royal icing. I never used any kind of dowels inside. With this method I took one 3-tier dummie from the US back home by plane (in the cabin!!!) It arrived in best condition.
Good luck for you competition and please take pictures
I dont know much about cake dummies. But I have read some imformation about foam, Are the cake dummies foam? If so there is a tool called Versa tool they sell it at craft stores. It is like an exacto knife but hot and is suppose to be able to cut foam and smooth it. Maybe this would help with the edges. 
Take an exacto knife and go around the cake dummy top to take off the sharp edge. Then used a very fine grade of sandpaper to smooth it over. This will help to give your 'cake' a nice rounded edge and help to avoid any tearing that might occur.
Hope this helps and good luck!
I've taken a few classes that involved covering a dummy with fondant and both had us use piping gel to stick the fondant to the dummy.
You thin the Wilton piping gel down 1 to 1 with water and then apply it in a very thin coat with an angled spatula. Once you get the dummy covered you can even go back and scrape off the excess. You really want a thin coat.
You can sand the top edge of the dummy down with either sand paper or craft styrofoam (the real light, bubbly kind) so that it has a nice rounded edge, similar to the edge of a real cake that has been covered in fondant.
I've only used royal icing to stick my dummy to the cake board and to stick additional dummy tiers to the lower tiers. That worked fine for transporting, provided you give it time to dry. I've never used any type of dowel, but I guess you could do that for added assurance.
Good luck!
Wow!!! You all are extremely helpful! Thank you all so very much! I thought about using piping gel but thought that would be too slippery! A thin layer would be best huh!
Royal icing to stick the layers together (never thought of that) DUH!!!!
That's what ya'll are here for!
aupekkle~My sister lives in San Diego and she and I are entering the contest. She has placed first in her category the last three years she has entered! Her best of show winner won first place in the winner's circle last year! Anyway, you can see what I entered and won in my gallery of pics. I'll for sure let you know what I enter. It would be great to see you at the show!!!!!! My sister lives in new Scripps Ranch overlooking I-15!!!!
Anyway, I'll be going down two weeks prior to create my cake and other entries! I'll make some of my stuff here then ship it down or take it on the plane with me! Cake dummies are going to be hard to find now so I have to get those as well. Where is a good place to find cake dummies online. I did some research a bit ago and found a wide range of prices!!!
Thank you so much everyone!!! I'm really nervous about this!!!!!
Amy
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