I'm just starting out as a cake decorator. I'd like some advise or photos of how to decorate a dummy cake; or what's the best way to frost these cakes. I'm doing my first wedding cake in September and I need more practice. Help>>>>>

Hi,
First of all, are you related to Clay Aiken ??
I like Clay....anyway, when I did my dummy cake for the County Fair (in my photos - Blue and Gold), I used Fondant, EVERYTHING, fondant.

It is still looking good. Did it almost a month ago. I used royal icing as my glue.

Bump.
I want to practice on a dummy cake, with buttercream frosting. It will not be for show, it will be only for practice. What should I cover the cake with, so I can reuse the icing when finished?

jguilbeau i'm also new and i was told that you can use your cake pan to practice on. just flip over and decorate and its easy to get the frosting off.

I find it is hard to get the icing to attach to the cake pan.

hmm i havent tried it yet but which frosting are you using? if buttercream i'm guessing if its too dry then you would have a problem. how hard are you pressing the frosting to the pan? i'm just trying to think of why this would happen. maybe someone with more experience can help out. sorry i'm not much more help.

Hi! I use Sara Wrap over my cake dummies before I put the icing and fondant on it. When I'm done with it, all I have to do is lift the cake up, peel Sara Wrap off from bottom to top - Presto, my cake dummies are clean again.

I use glad press n seal, but saran wrap works well, too.

When you put your dummy on your board, make sure you put some icing underneath of it to hold the dummy in place.

I practice with dummies too. I just take a spatula and scrape the icing off back into the bowl.

Good Luck!

I read on this site that someone covered their dummies in contact paper.

What is this contact paper I keep hearing about? I would like to make a Dora cake and cover my cake board with Dora wrapping paper. But I know something elese needs to go between the cake and the wrapping paper. What can I use and still be able to see the wrapping paper clearly.

Contact paper can be used for many things. Some people use it to cover shelves in their kitchen cabinets. It has a sticky backing so it can be glued down taut.

I've covered many cake boards with fabric in the colors or theme of the cake, I'm sure you could find Dora fabric. It won't tear or show grease marks like wrapping paper. Then I decorate the cake on a thinner cake circle the exact same size as the cake and then attach it to the covered board with a dab of royal icing. When you border the cake edge with buttercream, chocolate or fondant balls,  you'll never see the cake board. Trim the edge of the cake board with matching ribbon and your presentation is awesome!