Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Help needed! I have been asked to make a 7 tier Disney themed cake for a friends sons bday. I can assemble at the venue and can use dummy cakes also, so that they are not eating cake for weeks afterwards. Was wondering which tiers I am best using the dummies for, the larger bottom tiers, or the smaller top tiers? Advice greatly appreciated 🙂

I would find out how many people it needs to feed and then make the tier which gives you the right amount of servings out of cake and use dummies for the rest. It’s still a heck of a lot of work though, I hope you’re getting paid for it!

Hi thanks that’s a great idea. Will dummy cakes support a real cake ok if they are underneath? Never used a dummy before. Ha nope not getting paid, but it will be his present! Also got a rapunzel tower cake to do for the sake day, also a friend favour! Good job I’m a good friend, no sleep for me that weekend!

Yes the dummy cakes will support the real cake but make sure to dowel the cake tier to take the weight of the dummies and decoration on top. Also make sure that the dummy that will sit on the real cake is on a card so that its not touching the icing that will be eaten. Dummies can be hard to cover, especially square ones where the corners tend to rip. I now cut off the corners of square ones and for any shape it helps to roll round the top edge with a rolling pin to soften the sharp edge. I also just read another good tip which is to cover them in cling film first so that you can break off the dried fondant later and re-use them. Good luck with both your cakes. Make sure to post photos on Paul’s Facebook page and tell me so I can go and look. I would love a friend like you 🙂