Cake Dummy

It has always boggled my mind how display cakes in grocery stores were made. Never did I once think I would make one of my own. I mean, what do you do with a fake cake??

Soon I will be launching my Etsy store, Hello Sunshine. Crafting has my heart, but my home does not have the space. My crafts will be for sale online, and others across the country will partake in the joy of my home-made goods. One of these will include cupcake toppers and cake bunting, and I need a way to display these. This is where the cake dummy will come in handy.

"How would one go about making one of these faux confections?" Oh I'm glad you asked :) Now, this is how I made my cake dummy, and it could totally be the wrong way, but so far it's working for me.

1. Cut out two 9" circles (or the diameter you want your "cake" to be). I used an old cardboard box that was in the garage.

2. Cut out strips for the edge of your "cake". I wanted a tall cake, so I cut mine at 5" tall. Make sure the corrugating is vertical so you can curve the cardboard around the edge of the circles.

3. Using a glue gun, glue the outer edge to one of the circles. Place a strip that is the same height of your outer edge through the middle for support. You don't want your "cake" caving in!

4. Glue the other circle on top of outer edge. You now have a cake skeleton.

5. This is where you have to get creative. I used joint compound for the first layer of "icing", but you can use royal icing or butter cream icing if you wish. I just didn't have enough powdered sugar. Make sure this layer covers all the cardboard. Let this layer dry over night.

6. Use stiff royal icing (or butter cream) to decorate top coat. Let dry for a few days.

Ta-da! It's not the greatest, but it's functional. It will come in handy for sure. And I won't have to make a cake every time I need one for a prop! Easy on my wallet and stomach :)