If you've ever looked from a towering five-tier wedding cake and wondered how this stays so perfectly level in the summer temperature, there's an excellent chance you were looking at a round cake dummy styrofoam base. For a lot of bakers, these foam rounds are the particular unsung heroes of the kitchen. They aren't just with regard to show; they're extremely practical tools that will help us push our creative limits without wasting a single crumb associated with actual sponge.
Honestly, while i very first started decorating, I thought using the dummy was the bit like "cheating. " I needed everything to be ready-to-eat. But after my first few problems trying to exercise complex piping upon a real cake that was slowly falling apart, I realized that the round cake dummy styrofoam is in fact a lifesaver. It offers you a steady, unchanging surface in order to work on, which is exactly exactly what you need when you're wanting to learn a new skill.
Why Dummies Are a Baker's Best Friend
The most obvious reason to grab a few of these is perfect for practice. Let's be real: cooking a fresh cake each time you wish to try a new fondant pleating technique or perhaps a specific flower set up is expensive and time-consuming. With a round cake dummy styrofoam , you get the exact shape and height of the real cake with no pressure of this "going bad" or crumbling under the weight of the adornments.
I love making use of them for portfolio pieces, too. In case you're a professional baker or just someone trying to develop an Instagram right after, you need pictures of your function. However you can't always wait for a customer to order a specific design you've been dying to test. You can just whip up a dummy cake, decorate this to perfection, consider your photos, and even then display it in your store or home. It stays looking new forever—or at minimum until you choose to peel off the particular fondant and begin over.
Making Your Dummy Appear Like the Real Deal
The particular trick to using a round cake dummy styrofoam is usually making sure no one can tell it's not real cake. When you just punch some icing upon it, the foam might show by means of, or the sides might look a bit too razor-sharp and "perfectly manufactured. "
The Fondant Method
If you're covering your dummy in fondant, you'll find it's a little different than addressing a true cake. Since there's no humidity within the foam, the fondant won't naturally "stick" the way it does in order to buttercream or ganache. Most people discover that a light mist of water or a very thin layer of vegetable shortening (like Crisco) works wonders.
You don't want it soaking wet, just tacky. Once you hang that fondant over, you can smooth it out just like you would on a real cake. One particular little tip: if the edges of your own round cake dummy styrofoam sense a bit too sharp plus are tearing your fondant, you can actually consider a fine-grit part of sandpaper and lightly sand the top edge to provide it a far more organic, slightly rounded appearance. Just make certain to wipe aside all the foam dust before you start decorating!
Using Buttercream or Royal Icing
In case you prefer functioning with buttercream, a person can definitely use it on foam. However, if you program on keeping the dummy for the long-time display, remember that real buttercream contains body fat that can eventually go rancid or discolor. For long-term displays in a shop window, a lot of decorators prefer making use of royal icing or even even lightweight structure spackle combined with the bit of color. It sounds crazy, but it looks specifically like frosting and lasts for years!
Mixing True Cake with Styrofoam Layers
This particular is a huge trend for weddings and big occasions. Sometimes a couple wants a five-tier cake to get that "wow" factor, but they only have fifty guests. You don't want in order to bake (or charge for) enough cake to feed two hundred people if fifty percent of it is going in the trash.
This is how the round cake dummy styrofoam comes into have fun with. You can have got the bottom three tiers made of foam and the top 2 tiers made of actual cake. Once they're all decorated in order to match, nobody has a clue which is usually which. It maintains the price down regarding the client, makes the cake easier to transport because it's lighter, and guarantees the structure is rock-solid. Just make sure the catering staff knows which layers are the genuine ones before they start hacking aside with a blade!
Stacking plus Stability
Whenever you're stacking these types of, you treat them pretty much such as real cakes, yet with less stress. You can make use of a little bit of royal icing or even a glue weapon (if it's the 100% dummy cake) to obtain the divisions together. If you're mixing foam with real cake, I always suggest putting a cake table between the layers just to maintain things hygienic.
The excellent thing about a round cake dummy styrofoam is that you may drive a wooden dowel straight via the middle of the foam without any resistance. It makes to have an incredibly stable structure. If you're doing a "topsy-turvy" cake, foam is usually almost a requirement of beginners because it enables you to get those crazy angles without the cake sliding away itself.
Professional Photography and Portfolios
If you're looking to build a brand, your pictures are everything. Making use of a round cake dummy styrofoam allows you in order to take your time with all the lighting plus the setup. A person don't have to worry about the buttercream melting below the studio lamps or the cake sagging because it's been sitting out there for three hours while you attempt to get the "perfect shot. "
I usually keep the few different dimensions of round dummies on hand—6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch are usually the classics. They allow you to create a selection of heights and styles. Plus, if you're getting into a cake decorating competition, most associated with them actually need you to make use of a dummy regarding the decorative categories so the judges can focus purely on your own technical skill rather than the flavor of the sponge.
Tips for Cleansing and Reusing Your Dummies
Among the best things about a round cake dummy styrofoam is usually that it doesn't have to end up being an one-time use item. If you've used fondant, a person can usually simply peel it away. If there's some residue, a fast wipe with the damp cloth usually does the key.
If you've used royal icing or something which has hardened, you might need in order to soak the dummy in some hot water for a little bit to soften the particular sugar. Just be careful not to clean too hard along with anything abrasive, or even you'll start using chunks out from the polyurethane foam. Once it's clean and dry, you're ready for your own next project. It's a great method to save money and reduce waste within your kitchen.
Where to Find Them and What to consider
You can find the round cake dummy styrofoam at most craft stores or even specialty baking shops, but buying all of them in bulk online is usually the method to go when you plan on using them usually. When you're shopping, look for "high-density" polyurethane foam. Cheaper, low-density polyurethane foam has big atmosphere pockets and may be really flaky, which is a nightmare when you're trying to get a soft finish with your topping.
Also, spend attention to the height. Standard dummies usually come in 3-inch or 4-inch levels. If you need that modern, tall cake look, a person might want to stack two 3-inch dummies together to get a 6-inch tall tier. It provides the cake a lot more elegant, high-end shape.
Wrapping Up
At the end of the particular day, a round cake dummy styrofoam is just another tool inside your decorating kit. It requires the pressure off, lets you experiment with bold designs, and helps you create professional-looking displays without having the stress of baking. Whether you're practicing your 1st rosettes or designing an enormous centerpiece regarding a bridal expo, these foam times are going to make your lifestyle a whole great deal easier.
So next period you have the crazy idea for a cake but don't have an occasion to bake for, just grab the dummy and allow your creativity operate wild. It's the particular best way in order to grow as an artist without filling your own freezer with remaining cake!