OK, I have a "dummy" question. Until I get my online order, the only dummy cakes I could find locally were at Joann's and they were styrofoam and $9 for an 8 inch dummy cake. Yikes!!! Anyway, I bought one because I need to make some dummies fast, and I am very confused. I am going to showcase fondant on it, but how do I keep the styrofoam from sticking to the fondant? I would love to reuse the fondant, first show it white, then color some of it, and then again. I paint, so I know how to add color to get a new color, but can that be done with fondant??

Thanks - I really appreciate any help,

Nancy

I am trying to implement the great advice I received on this thread I started the other day:

http://cakecentral.com/t/767547/how-do-i-show-i-can-make-a-type-of-cake-if-i-never-made-it

do not reuse fondant that has been placed on Styrofoam. The Styrofoam releases small particles when it comes in contact with moisture, it is toxic and should not be consumed. Once you cover a Styrofoam with fondant , the fondant will dry hard, a lot different from putting on an actual cake.

you may purchase cake dummies from Global Sugar Art, they have a wide variety of shapes and sizes and ae reasonably priced.

I like the ones from GSA, but I prefer the ones from Pfiel & Holing.  The ones at GSA have tiny groove lines and one big line.  I use very fine sand paper to smooth them.

I put a bit of shortening on the cake dummy.  That will help make it easy to remove.  I also use a bit of water to help it stick.

There is also Taylor Foam and Dallas Foam.  They both sell dummies in all shapes and sizes.  Prices are good. I found that Taylor had a little better shipping costs though. 

I wouldn't reuse the fondant, but if you put Crisco on them, it will help hold it in place.  Should peel off if it doesn't dry completely. 

If you have a smartphone, I recommend downloading Joann's free app.  They have 40% off coupons just about every week.  Michael's Arts & Crafts also has an app & they sell dummy Styrofoam pieces (6 inches to 14 inches, round).

HI,

I would NEVER use the fondant from the dummy cake on a real cake! I meant to reuse it to showcase another color and design on the dummy cake. But I appreciate the information, in case I was considering doing that!! I apologize for being vague about that!! :)

Nancy

Once it has been on the dummy you won't be able to recolor and reroll it for another dummy.  Fondant just doesn't work that way.  If you use it in white for the first go round of photos for your portfolio, you could paint it a different color (airbrush would probably give a more even colour), as a base for your second set of photos.  If you begin with a lighter color you could probably use the same set of dummies for several rounds of photographs with progressively darker base colors to show off your decorating talents.  You just need to be careful not to do effects that you couldn't get on the real thing.  Nothing worse than having to tell a prospective customer that you can't do in real cake what you've done on a dummy for your portfolio.

ADepends what fondant you use & for how long. I use fondarific. I could cover dummies, decorate the cake, photograph the cake and tear it all off to start again.

I just covered some today. Didn't like the first one I did. Finished covering 2 others then came back to that first and tore it off to redo.

Remember to use shortening on the dummy.

AI have purchased dummies from Dallas Foam to practice with and have been pleased. Their prices are great, and shipping doesn't take very long. I have used Wilton's, Marshmallow Fondant, Satin Ice and Michelle Foster's Fondant with dummies and I don't think any of them would come off well enough to be re-rolled, but then I have never tried to, either. The airbrushing suggestion is an excellent suggestion!

AI have used dozens from Dallas foam (aka Taylor foam) and only one set from Joann's and I haaaaaated the ones from Joann's. Any amount of moisture would begin deteriorating the styrofoam and you could see it through the cake! Poor quality for such an expensive price! I was also in a bind, too. Luckily, I live in Texas, so shipping from Dallas foam was only one day standard if ordered by 2 pm. I can wash the buttercream off with hot water and reuse and it doesn't eat through it at all. I will never cheat on them again!

Would anyone be interested in Dummy Cakes made of EPS foam? They do not release particles on the fondant.

Do you have various sizes and what is the cost?

AYes! PM me please?

I'd be interested in the info too. Thanks

If your ever in need of dummies in a quick amount of time again, try http://www.buyfoamblocks.com/ they sell all sorts of dummies and other foam shapes that might come in handy for you  

If you still need options for cake dummies, buyfoamblocks.com has them in different quantities and prices depending on what your looking for.