Last Updated on April 9, 2024
Needing to cover up a dummy cake in a tiered cake? Using buttercream is an easy way. Let’s look at how to make fake buttercream for display.
Fortunately, using buttercream is an easy and natural-looking way to cover up a dummy cake. This article will tell you what you need to know on how to cover a dummy cake with buttercream.
In general, buttercream is an easy frosting to work with. It is generally easy to make and easy to work with. It is a good option to use on dummy cakes to make them look real.
What is Dummy Cake?
A dummy cake is a frosted piece of Styrofoam that is designed to look like a real cake. Dummy cakes are used in bakery displays and photoshoots.
They can also be used in multi-tiered cakes for weddings and special events. Some people may want the look of a five-tier cake, but only want two tiers of real cake. In some cases, using a dummy cake in tiers instead of a real cake can save money.
Dummy cakes can also be used to make all tiers, but the top tier of the wedding cake. The top tier can then be cut by the bride and groom and the rest of the guests can be served pieces of sheet cakes. This is an easy and efficient way to get an elaborate tier cake but then still be able to easily serve the guests pieces of cake.
Dummy cakes are also great to practice. They allow you to practice frosting techniques without having to use a real cake.
What You Will Need for Fake Buttercream For Display
Equipment
To make a dummy cake covered in buttercream frosting, you will need:
- Turntable
- Cake Board
- Angled spatula
- Buttercream (crusting buttercream recommended)
- Cake smoother
- Styrofoam cake
- Dowel rod (if making multiple tiers)
- Duct tape
- Sanding block
- Large Bowl
- Electric Mixer
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
To make crusting buttercream, you will need:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1½ cups solid vegetable shortening
- 1½ tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 bag of sifted confectioners’ sugar (2 pounds)
- ⅛ to ½ cup whole milk (to desired consistency)
Dummy Cake: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step One: Cream Butter, Shortening, and Vanilla
Using an electric mixer, cream butter, shortening, and vanilla until smooth. It will take approximately three to five minutes to reach a smooth consistency.
Step Two: Add Confectioners’ Sugar
Gradually add confectioners’ sugar to the mix at low speed. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate the confectioners’ sugar into the mix. The mixture will be thick at this point.
Step Three: Add Milk
Add 1/8 cup of milk to mix until smooth. You may add more milk to reach desired consistency. Set frosting aside.
Step Four: Smooth Styrofoam Cake
Using a sanding block, gently sand the Styrofoam cake, eliminating any rough spots.
Step Five: Place Cake Table to Turn Table
Place the cake table on the turntable. You may use a few pieces of tape to secure the cake table if you are worried about it coming off.
Step Six: Place Styrofoam Cake on Turntable
Using a few pieces of tape, place the Styrofoam cake on the cake table. The tape will allow the cake to securely stay in place, as the Styrofoam cake will easily move around if not secured to the cake table since it is so light.
Step Seven: Frost the Styrofoam Cake
Use an angled spatula to frost the dummy cake. Spin the turntable to evenly frost the cake.
Step Seven: Smooth the Cake
Once the cake is fully frosted, use a cake smoother to smooth out any imperfections on the cake.
Step Eight: Decorate Your Cake
If desired, you may decorate your frosted dummy cake. If you are wanting to add multiple tiers, you may use a dowel rod and carefully stick it through the bottom Styrofoam cake and then gently add the next cake on top.
Using a dummy cake is a great way to add tiers to a cake when you want the look of a big cake, but don’t have a lot of people to serve.
Tips and Tricks For Fake Buttercream For Display
It is recommended to use crusting buttercream because it sits well on cakes and creates a good surface for decorating. Since crusting buttercream creates a solid base, it is a good choice for dummy cakes that may be used for a long period. However, you may use your favorite buttercream recipe as well to frost the Styrofoam cake.
Styrofoam cakes can be found at cake decorating stores or online. They can come in rectangles, squares, and round shapes.
Dummy cakes frosted with buttercream may be stored in displays for several months. It is best to avoid storing a frosted dummy cake in direct sunlight, as it may cause the frosting to get a yellow tint and may even cause the frosting to melt in hot weather.
After a time, the buttercream frosting may begin to crack. Once it begins to crack, you may be able to just frost the area that is cracking. However, if the cracking is all over, you may need to get rid of all the frosting.
If you wish to have a colored buttercream frosting, you may add food coloring to reach your desired shade. Gel food coloring is recommended for buttercream frosting; however, any food coloring will work.
If you want to reuse your dummy cake for another project, you can. Simply scrape off the frosting and thoroughly wash the Styrofoam cake. Allow the cake to air dry and do not frost until the dummy cake is completely dry.
Fake Buttercream For Display: Quick and Easy Recipe
Equipment
- Turntable
- Cake board
- Buttercream (crusting buttercream recommended)
- Cake smoother
- Styrofoam cake
- Dowel rod (if making multiple tiers)
- Duct tape
- Sanding block
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter softened and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1½ cups solid vegetable shortening
- 1½ tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 bag sifted confectioners’ sugar 2 pounds
- ⅛ to ½ cup whole milk to desired consistency
Instructions
- Step One: Cream Butter, Shortening and Vanilla
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter, shortening and vanilla until smooth. It will take approximately three to five minutes to reach a smooth consistency.
- Step Two: Add Confectioners’ Sugar
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar to the mix at low speed. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate the confectioners’ sugar into the mix. The mixture will be thick at this point.
- Step Three: Add Milk
- Add 1/8 cup of milk to mix until smooth. You may add more milk to reach desired consistency. Set frosting aside.
- Step Four: Smooth Styrofoam Cake
- Using a sanding block, gently sand the Styrofoam cake, eliminating any rough spots.
- Step Five: Place Cake Table to Turn Table
- Place the cake table on the turntable. You may use a few pieces of tape to secure the cake table if you are worried about it coming off.
- Step Six: Place Styrofoam Cake on Turntable
- Using a few pieces of tape, place the Styrofoam cake on the cake table. The tape will allow the cake to securely stay in place, as the Styrofoam cake will easily move around if not secured to the cake table since it is so light.
- Step Seven: Frost the Styrofoam Cake
- Use an angled spatula to frost the dummy cake. Spin the turntable to evenly frost the cake.
- Step Seven: Smooth the Cake
- Once the cake is fully frosted, use a cake smoother to smooth out any imperfections on the cake.
- Step Eight: Decorate Your Cake
- If desired, you may decorate your frosted dummy cake. If you are wanting to add multiple tiers, you may use a dowel rod and carefully stick it through the bottom Styrofoam cake and then gently add the next cake on top.
- Using a dummy cake is a great way to add tiers to a cake when you want the look of a big cake but don’t have a lot of people to serve.
Notes
- It is recommended to use crusting buttercream because it sits well on cakes and creates a good surface for decorating. Since crusting buttercream creates a solid base, it is a good choice for dummy cakes that may be used for a long period of time. However, you may use your favorite buttercream recipe as well to frost the Styrofoam cake.
- Styrofoam cakes can be found at cake decorating stores or online. They can come in rectangles, squares and round shapes.
- Dummy cakes frosted with buttercream may be stored in displays for several months. It is best to avoid storing a frosted dummy cake in direct sunlight, as it may cause the frosting to get a yellow tint and may even cause the frosting to melt in hot weather.
- After a time, the buttercream frosting may begin to crack. Once it begins to crack, you may be able to just frost the area that is cracking. However, if the cracking is all over, you may need to get rid of all the frosting.
- If you wish to have a colored buttercream frosting, you may add food coloring to reach your desired shade. Gel food coloring is recommended for buttercream frosting; however, any food coloring will work.
- If you want to reuse your dummy cake for another project, you are able to. Simply scrape off the frosting and thoroughly wash the Styrofoam cake. Allow the cake to air dry and do not frost until the dummy cake is completely dry.
How Long Does Buttercream Last on a Dummy Cake?
You may be wondering how long your buttercream will last on your dummy cake once it’s been decorated. The truth is, it’ll last for however long you need it. Unbelievably, the buttercream will last years on a dummy cake! Once the buttercream has dried onto the cake, you can leave it for many years with little damage usually being done to it.
The only thing you’ll need to be wary of is keeping the decorated cake away from sunlight, or any kind of fluorescent lighting. If you don’t, this may cause changes to the buttercream such as color and textural changes. As long as you follow these tips, your dummy cake will last for years and years.
As well as this, once you’re ready to reuse the dummy cake, you can simply run the cake under hot water and the dried buttercream will simply run off. Once all traces of the old buttercream have been removed, allow ample time for the dummy cake to dry. Once dried, you can recover with buttercream again and again. This is perfect for people that do this for a living and can reuse them for different events.
How To Make Fake Buttercream For Practice
Before you present your dummy cake on any kind of occasion, you may want to practice a few times. This way you can achieve the right consistency, learn how to apply it correctly, and also learn how to tier dummy cakes with fake buttercream for display too. When you’re practicing, the buttercream doesn’t need to taste amazing, so you can make a very basic frosting, which will still give the same visual results.
For this practice buttercream, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of shortening
- 2 cups of powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons of water
Now all you need to do is:
- Add your shortening to a bowl.
- Using a stand mixer, or handheld mixer, beat the shortening until it comes light and fluffy in texture.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and the water.
- Add around 1/2 cup at a time and keep mixing until you have achieved the consistency that you’re looking for.
- Your practice buttercream is now ready. It is that easy!
As you’re unlikely to be eating any of this buttercream, it doesn’t matter about the flavor, color, or appearance in general, so a simple recipe works best.
Dummy Cake Decorating Ideas
When it comes to decorating dummy cakes, they are as versatile as decorating a traditional cake. You can add as many decorations as you’d like, as well as icings such as fondant or royal. Some of my favorite ideas for cake decorating that aren’t too difficult include:
- Funfetti drip cakes
- Confetti chocolate buttercream-coated cake
- Unicorn cake
- Halloween cakes
- Coconut cakes
- Traditional birthday cakes
- Christmas cake
- Carrot cake
- Children’s themed cakes (animals, pirates, princesses, etc.)
This is just a small selection of some of the cakes you can make when using dummy cakes. The options are endless, as there’s so much you can do with them and then display. The best part is, you can simply run them under hot water, leave them to dry, and then use them all over again!
A Simple Way to Make A Dummy Cake
I hope this post has helped you to become more familiar with fake buttercream for display purposes. Using buttercream frosting is an easy way to decorate a dummy cake. Buttercream frosting will give the cake a realistic appearance and it will be able to hold up for a long time.
Whether you are making a cake for a display or adding tiers to a wedding cake, using a dummy cake frosted with buttercream frosting is a great idea. If you tried this frosting, please share your experience making it.
Please comment and share if you enjoyed this article or have any remarks regarding this recipe!
Read more about How To Thicken Buttercream Icing
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.