I've been searching on CC for information on cake dummies but I've only come across using them for wedding cakes. My question is: can you use a cake dummy just to practice techniques? If so, any suggestions? I really want to practice continually- I don't sell cakes yet! And, believe it or not, I'm running out of people to give my practice cakes to! Everyone wants to diet! Thanks.

You can use styrofoam dummies to practice techniques. For covering with fondant, it is a little different than using a cake. The edges are a lot sharper and it is a firmer base than cake. If it's for piping, you can also do them on parchment or wax paper.

Thanks! I guess I'll stick with the wax paper instead of purchasing a dummy. I really want to work on piping. Thanks again!

I'm expecting my cake dummies from dallas foam sometime this week and i'm taking three or four days off work, sending the kiddo to the sitter's half day and i'm going to try and see how many different dummy wedding cakes I can turn out in that time. Not only is it good practice, but then I have pictures for my portfolio which i'm just starting to build.

easy and cheap way to practice piping: turn your cake pans upside down and pipe on them. its good because you can practice having to pipe on a vertical surface instead of a flat paper, which is much harder. just wipe them off and do it again and again! i did this all the time until i bought some dummies for display cakes.

I love both ideas! Thanks.

Peytonsmommy: What are you going to do with the dummies once you've taken pictures? I like your idea- I hadn't thought about using dummies for a portfolio- I've just been taking pictures and keeping them in a mini album and on my computer as well.

Peytonsmommy: are you going to use fondant or just buttercream. I'm really getting excited about this method!

Hello to all of my fellow CC members? I have a question, will the fondant dry hard on the dummies or will there be another method that I have to use to save the dummies for display?

Thank you Miriel so much.

I use dummies a lot. The fondant will dry hard so you can keep them. But you can also just soak them over night in h2o when you want to use them again. The h2o makes the fondant "disappear" then you can re-cover them and make a whole new design.

I've also heard you can put a dummy in the dishwasher and it will come out clean again!

At least with covering a dummy you can use it in your portfolio!