I would really like to get some cake dummies, but the only ones I have seen online are quite expensive. I was wondering if there is a way to make them at home for less cost, or if it is even worth it to do so.

Also, can cake dummies be reused? I can't imagine all the cost to only be able to use them once. Thanks!

I don't know about making them yourself but I do know you can reuse them.

cake dummies can be used again and again. I imagine that you could make your own, but if they were different sizes than your cake pan to begin with you would have a lot of throw away styrofoam. That stuff used to be fairly cheap. It isn't any more. A friend gave me some of hers that she did not want any more and unfortunately I have not had the chance to chip off the old decoration to reuse them, but I have a lot for when I get the chance. Best wishes. There is a company called Taylorfoam.com. They have sets and individual dummies. Just for example 1 set of 5 dummies (round) 14.25. an individual round dummy that is 4" round, 4" thick is 1.99. I believe that when I finally have the need for more dummies that this will be the place I buy them at.

They usually are well worth the investment as they can be used over and over.
You might post on freecycle or at least check it out for styrofoam as I often have picked up some free. Also post on Craigslist
Check w/a local major appliance stores as the new washer etc are usually well packed w/lots of it. This might have holes in it but usually you get enough to fill in any spaces. And not in sizes/shapes you want so you will have to cut it; a messy undertaking. Do it outside. I usually have used a sharp kitchen knife rather than buy a hot wire styro cutter.

Make your own ideas: stack up lots, and lots of cake boards/circles until you get it 3 or 4" tall, then wrap it w/a piece of poster board cut to heigth (and some might want to wrap *that* w/plastic wrap). Problem w/plastic wrap is it seldom can be pulled tight and can wrinkle when you try to ice it
You can make cereal treat cakes. Or there are some products in craft stores you spray foam into a container and let it dry - can't remember what it's called. It's messy and can ruin your pan Well, yrs ago it was. Maybe it's been improved.
Lastly make a one egg cake from scratch and let it bake on very low heat for several hours until it is DRY and HARD
Don't know how re-usable some of these options will be.

Thanks guys. Great ideas. The only sets i have seen are 4" high and a set of 3 (10", 8", 6") for around $60. That seemed high. I will definitely check out craigslist and such, but knowing they can be reused helps out a lot with cost also!

I just bought a set of 5" tall rounds in sizes 4-7-10-13 and with 2 day shipping I only paid $39.97. It was from Dallas F oam. I'll PM too because sometimes the company info disappears in the forums.