How to Clean a Dummy Cake

Can I let you in on a little secret?

This gorgeous buttercream flower wedding cake is one of my best-selling designs. Ever since I created and posted it years ago, client after client has ordered it and paid top dollar for this exact cake.

And here’s the secret…

It’s a dummy cake.

That means the inside isn’t cake at all — it’s made of styrofoam tiers that I frosted and decorated just like a real wedding cake.

Real cakes clients have ordered based on that original dummy design.

Why Dummy Cakes Are a Game Changer for Bakers

Dummy cakes are one of the most powerful tools for growing a cake business.

They allow you to practice decorating techniques without wasting time, ingredients, or money baking real cakes every time you want to experiment with a design.

Instead of waiting for customer orders to expand your portfolio, dummy cakes let you:

• Practice new decorating techniques

• Experiment with different styles

• Build your portfolio faster

• Photograph designs whenever inspiration strikes

I’ve always said that play and experimentation are essential for discovering your cake design style and improving your decorating skills.

And cake dummies make that easier than ever.

I use them constantly — both in my own kitchen and in my wedding cake masterclasses. I have several sets of foam tiers that I mix and match depending on the design I want to practice.

All of these cake designs are dummy cakes

Honestly, these little styrofoam beauties have saved me so much time, effort, and ingredients over the years.

But there’s one question I get all the time:

“How do you actually clean them?”

Because yes — you absolutely can reuse dummy cakes again and again.

You just need the right cleaning routine to keep them in good condition.

One Important Thing to Avoid

Before I show you how I clean them, let me tell you what not to do.

Do not scrape buttercream directly into your sink.

And definitely don’t try to rinse the buttercream off in your dishwasher.

Once buttercream cools down inside your pipes, it hardens and can cause serious plumbing problems.

Trust me — your future self (and your plumber) will thank you for avoiding that.

How I Clean My Cake Dummies

Here’s the exact process I use to clean and reuse my dummy cakes.

1. Scrape Off the Buttercream

Start by scraping the buttercream off over a trash bag, garbage can, or tarp so everything can be easily disposed of afterward.

Be careful not to dig into the styrofoam itself.

To avoid damaging the foam, I usually use:

• a plastic spatula, or

• the very edge of a metal spatula

If the buttercream has had time to dry, this step becomes even easier. The frosting often flakes off in large sheets instead of smearing.

2. Repeat for Each Tier

If you're cleaning a multi-tier dummy cake, repeat the scraping process for each tier individually.

Take your time with this step so you remove as much buttercream as possible before washing.

The less frosting that goes into your sink, the better.

3. Gently Hand Wash the Dummy

Next, wash the foam tiers with warm water and a small amount of dish soap.

Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or rough scouring pads.

Styrofoam is surprisingly delicate, and harsh scrubbing can cause it to crumble or dent.

Instead, use a soft cloth or sponge and gently wipe the surface clean.

As you wash, look carefully for:

• small cracks in the foam

• pockets where buttercream may be packed in

• edges where frosting may be stuck

Give those areas a little extra attention so the dummy comes out completely clean.

4. Let Them Dry Completely

After washing, place the dummy tiers on a towel to dry.

Styrofoam can absorb a surprising amount of water, so I like to let them sit for about an hour or so.

After the first round of drying, flip the dummies over so any remaining water can drain from the other side.

You’ll actually notice the difference in weight once the water has absorbed into the foam.

Once they’re fully dry…

They’re ready to be used all over again.

Watch the Cleaning Process in Action

If you'd like to see exactly how I clean my dummy cakes, I filmed the whole process.

Watch the video here:

WATCH HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDG9RZdxfjI 

Why I Recommend Every Baker Use Cake Dummies

I truly can’t recommend cake dummies enough.

For me, they’re a non-negotiable tool for improving skills and growing a cake business.

They allow you to:

• Practice advanced decorating techniques

• Develop your signature cake style

• Build a stronger portfolio

• Save time and money on ingredients

And when you take care of them properly, they can be reused over and over again for years.

If you have any cake dummy cleaning tricks or decorating hacks of your own, I’d love to hear them!

Leave a comment and share what works for you.