Hi Everyone!

I am very inexperienced at doing sculpted cakes. I've seen a couple YouTube videos, I have Mike McCarey's car video, but really there are very few cake artists that I can think of who do sculpted cakes (Roland Winbeckler, Mike McCarey, Debbie Does Cakes...) and maybe a few more but overall they are few and far between. I would like to learn how to do this totally amazing art, but I have no clue how to go about it! There aren't really any books or videos on it -- so my question to y'all is, "if I wanted to learn how to do sculpted cakes, where would I go to learn this art?"

Thanks in advance!!!

I started off by using a few blocks of foam board and a knife. I would glue the foam board together and carve out what ever I needed. I have also heard of people using clay to begin with. I still use foam board and a knife when ever I have a rather difficult shape. Foam board is much easier to cut and shape than cake, but it is simple to use for practice. But I am getting to the point where I just start cutting.

Sometimes when I have time, I will use left over batter, and create a layer or two, and use that for practice. Not often though, we donate our left over cakes to a couple different charities, the homeless shelter, the boys club, even the fire departments in the area.

Beth & Andrew
Cake Artists

There are quite a few people who offer classes your best chance is to research in your area but they can be pricey. Even better is to learn as you go so you can learn what to do when the little stuff and even some of the big stuff happens. How to fill in when you've carved too much, etc. The Winnbecklers have a fantastic french vanilla sour cream cake recipe that is AWESOME for carving. Start small with 3D cakes firmly planted on boards. When you are ready to go on to bigger things that would need custom supports. Look at other peoples pics/vids and copy. My 3D Spongebob was easy as far as cake goes but he was almost 3 feet tall and the stand definitely needed more support. In the West Texas wind and High (100+) temp he stayed upright but did sway. Again learn as you go.

Those are some great suggestions!! I am signed up to take a basic and an advanced support system class from Francois Long (Bronwen Weber's husband) coming up soon. I love the idea of practicing with foam board!! I had a lady call yesterday asking for a "raccoon" sculpted cake. I referred her to another decorator because I had no clue where to begin!! Thanks everyone!!! Much appreciated!!

Raccoon sculpted cake: Wilton teddy bear pan.