Round Cake Dummy - Height 10cm - (Choose Diameter)

A Cake Dummy is a fake cake made of polystyrene that perfectly mimics the shape of a real cake. It serves several essential purposes in professional and amateur cake design:

• Build tiered wedding cakes by reducing weight and cost (only one real edible tier, the rest are dummies)
• Create pastry shop displays or durable stands that don’t get damaged by heat or time
• Practice icing, fondant, piping, and modeling techniques without wasting expensive raw materials
• Create fake tiered cakes for weddings, baptisms, birthdays, and events
• Photograph and present your creations in restaurants, tea rooms, or on social media

The 10 cm height is the professional standard in cake design. It corresponds to the actual height of a cake filled with 2 to 3 layers of sponge alternated with ganache or cream.

This height offers an excellent volume / ease of decoration ratio:

• Tall enough to accommodate elaborate vertical decorations (fondant drapes, cascading flowers)
• Stable for tiered assembly with support dowels
• Realistic proportions: a 10 cm high Cake Dummy looks like a real cake, unlike the 5 cm versions that are too flat for wedding cakes

For more impressive tiers, FunCakes also offers heights of 15 cm and 20 cm (Double Barrel).

For a classic 3-tier wedding cake, the most common combination is 15 + 20 + 25 cm. For 4 tiers: 10 + 15 + 20 + 25 cm.

FunCakes Cake Dummies are made of high-density expanded polystyrene (EPS), more resistant and denser than standard packaging polystyrene. This guarantees:

• A smooth and even surface without lumps or irregular edges
• Good resistance to the pressure of fondant and rolled fondant
• Long-lasting stability (reusable dozens of times if stored properly)
• No sagging under the weight of sugar or chocolate decorations

Each piece is individually sealed at the factory to reduce the risk of contamination if in contact with food products.

The most common technique is covering with fondant. Here is the pro method:

• Step 1: lightly brush the dummy with water (very lightly) or diluted glucose syrup
• Step 2: roll out the fondant to about 4-5 mm thickness
• Step 3: cover the dummy starting from the top, smooth the edges with your palms, then with a smoother
• Step 4: cut off the excess at the base with a cutter or a thin knife

For a buttercream effect, you can also apply the cream directly or use an expanding foam like "Cake Dummy Spray" to fix a durable fake icing.

Pro tip: for an even more realistic finish, first apply a thin layer of ganache (same as whipped ganache but firmer) before the fondant.

To assemble multiple Cake Dummies into a tiered cake, it is essential to use dowels (support pillars):

• Insert 4 to 6 wooden dowels into the tier below, arranged in a circle
• Cut the dowels to the exact height of the dummy (with a cutter)
• Place a cake board between each tier to distribute the weight
• Carefully center the upper tier on the dowels
• Secure permanently with a central dowel passing through all tiers to prevent slipping

Since Cake Dummies are light, assembly is much easier than with real cakes. No risk of crushing or sagging.

Yes, it is even the most used technique by professional pastry chefs for wedding cakes. The principle: only the tier that will be cut in front of guests is a real cake, the others are Cake Dummies covered identically.

Advantages :

• Impressive visual effect at a controlled cost
• No waste if not all guests eat cake
• Possibility to serve a separate dessert (verrines, petit fours) more economically
• Easier transport (fake piece = light and stable)

The real tier is usually the largest (the bottom), as it produces the most servings.

The decoration techniques on a Cake Dummy are the same as on a real cake, with the added freedom to experiment without pressure:

• Smooth sugar paste + relief: even covering + addition of flowers, pearls, drapes
• Metallic effect: edible gold, silver, or rose gold paint applied with a brush
• Fake drip cake: synthetic chocolate drip or colored royal icing
• Ribbon + bow: wrap the dummy with a thin ribbon tied in a bow on the side
• Edible flowers: sugar paste peonies or stabilized fresh flowers
• Letters and numbers in isomalt for a transparent crystal effect

A Cake Dummy can be reused dozens of times if well maintained:

• After use: gently remove the sugar paste or decoration with a cutter
• Light cleaning: wipe dry or with a very slightly damp cloth (no soaking)
• Storage: in a dry place, protected from dust (sealed plastic bag)
• Avoid: prolonged heat (above 60°C, the EPS can deform)

If the surface is slightly damaged by cutter marks, a light sanding with fine sandpaper can restore it.

For cake designers, pastry chefs, and wedding planners, the Cake Dummy has become an essential tool in the profession:

• Showcase: present models in-store all year without wasting real cake
• Product catalog: photograph your creations under optimal conditions (lighting, timing)
• Training and demonstration: teach techniques without the pressure of fresh materials
• Trade show: display your pieces at events (Sirha, Europain, Wedding Fair)
• Competition: create ultra-elaborate pieces without freshness constraints

To successfully create a complete fake tiered cake, here are the essentials:

• FunCakes fondant in various colors for covering
• Wooden dowels for tier support
• Cake boards to distribute weight
• Isomalt for transparent crystal-like decorations
• Plastic smoother for a perfect finish on fondant
• Edible flowers or fondant flowers for the final decoration

Is the Cake Dummy food safe?
No, it is a fake cake made of polystyrene. It is not edible. But it is sealed to limit contamination risk if it comes into contact with food products during decoration.

How long does it last?
Several years if well stored. Reusable indefinitely after cleaning off decorations.

Can it be cut with a knife?
Yes, you can sculpt the polystyrene with a cutter or electric knife to create specific shapes (wave, stairs, beveled base).

Does polystyrene deform with heat?
No, at room temperature (up to 60°C). However, avoid direct sunlight exposure for long periods.

Can elements be glued onto it?
Yes, with royal icing, powdered sugar mixed with a little water, or a thick sugar syrup. Avoid hot glue which would melt the polystyrene.

Is it available in other shapes?
Yes, FunCakes also offers square, hexagonal, and conical versions. See the full FunCakes collection.