About the course

Ready to carve cakes with confidence? This hands-on class covers everything you need to know to sculpt stunning creations. Learn which tools to use, when to carve before or after filling, and which cakes are best for carving. Discover the differences between buttercream and ganache, and how to make your cakes stable and food-safe with internal supports. You’ll explore techniques for carving down vs. building up, using sugarpaste or modeling chocolate, and planning complex designs with ease. Whether you're shaping simple forms or tackling gravity-defying masterpieces, this course gives you the skills to bring your cake visions to life.

Meet your Mentor

Hello, I’m Dawn Butler, the name behind Dinkydoodle. As a world-renowned cake artist and teacher, I’ve dedicated my career to inspiring and supporting cake makers of all levels.   Over the years, I’ve earned multiple gold medals in cake competitions, and in 2016, I proudly took home the highly coveted “Best in Show” prize at Cake International. I was also honoured as International “Cake Artist of the Year,” named one of the UK’s “Top Ten Cake Artists." More recently in 2024, I was inducted into the DMA’s Hall of Fame for my contributions to the sugar industry. But what I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built inside the Dinkydoodle Cake Academy.   Here’s something you might not know about me: I have dyslexia and ADHD. While some might see these as obstacles, I use them as superpowers. They help me break down complex techniques into their simplest forms, making it easier for anyone to follow along and achieve amazing results. You may spot the occasional spelling mistake, but I believe in being upfront and honest, and my students are always wonderfully supportive. If you’ve ever doubted your own abilities, or worried that learning something new might be out of reach, you’re in the right place. The Academy is a safe, encouraging space for everyone, myself included! I share my skills, expertise, and a good dose of fun, helping you build your confidence and creativity, one cake at a time. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Curriculum

14 Chapters · 101 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome & Introduction

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Hello & Welcome!

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How this course works

  2. 2

    Tools & Equipment

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Types of Knives

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Bowls & Pots

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Scrapers & Smoothers

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Other useful tools & Equipment

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Baking paper & Cling Film

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Boards & Foam Core

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Sticks Dowels & Wire

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Essential Edible Aids

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Useful Non Caking Tools

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Equipment List & Links

  3. 3

    Which Cake?

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Different types of cake

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Biscuit Cake Part 1

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Biscuit Cake Part 2

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Biscuit Cake Part 3

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Biscuit Cake Part 4

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Dawns Biscuit Cake Recipe

  4. 4

    Buttercream & Fillings

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Rice Krispie Treats (RKT)

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Cake Pop Mix

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Buttercream & Fillings

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Buttercream Consistency

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Buttercream

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      How many Layers

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      How many Portions

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Basic Buttercream Recipe

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      American Buttercream Recipe

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Rice Krispy Treats Recipe

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Cake Pop Mix Recipe

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Sweet Success Discount

  5. 5

    Ganache

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Ganache Intro

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Ganache Recipes

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Ganache Top Tips

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Dark Chocolate Ganache

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Vegan Ganache

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      White Chocolate Ganache Part 1

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      White Chocolate Ganache Part 2

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Fixing Split Ganache

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Ganache

  6. 6

    Flat Shaped Cakes

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Shaped Cakes Intro

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Shaped Cakes Zoom Recording

  7. 7

    Unicorn's Head (Flat Shaped Cakes)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Planning

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Carving Part 1

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Carving Part 2

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Crumb Coat

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Smoothing Before Covering

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Covering

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Detailing

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head The Mane

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head The Horn

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Ear & Eye

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Template

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Unicorn Head Materials List

  8. 8

    Dragon's Head (Flat Shaped Cakes) - with Gluten Free Cake!

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Planning

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Carving

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Crumb Coat

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Smoothing Ganache

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head GF Cake Pop Mix

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Covering

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Texturing

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Details

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Eyes

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Finishing Touches

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Template

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Flat Dragon Head Materials List

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      If you'd like to purchase gluten-free cake (instead of baking it yourself!)

  9. 9

    3D Shaped Cakes (No Structure)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3D shapes The Three Shapes

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3D shapes The Pear Template

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3D shapes The Peanut Template

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3D shapes The Kidney Bean Template

  10. 10

    How to Work Out What Size Cake to Bake

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shaped Cakes What Size Cake to Bake

  11. 11

    The Pear Shape (carved Sleeping Dragon)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Carving the Pear

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Coating the Pear

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Details before Covering the Pear

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes ReCrumb Coating the Pear

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragons Head

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Adding Details before Covering

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Covering

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Trimming

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Details

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Airbrushing

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Airbrush Part 2

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      3D shapes Pear Dragon Wings

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Eyes

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Carved Dragon No Structure Materials List

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Pear Dragon Wing Template

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Carving the 3D Sleeping Dragon Facebook Live 1st Sept 2025

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Zoom Class Details Before Covering 3D Sleeping Dragon Live 1st Sept 2025

  12. 12

    The Peanut Shape (carved Dinosaur)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Carving

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Crumb Coating

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Adding Cake Pop Mix Details Before Covering Part 1

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Adding Details Before Covering

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Details before Covering Part 2

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Peanut Shaping the Head

  13. 13

    The Kidney Bean Shape (Unicorn)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Kidney Bean Carving

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Kidney Bean Crumb Coat in Ganache

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Kidney Bean Cake Pop Mix as a Structure

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Kidney Bean Cake Pop Mix as Structure Part 2

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      3D Shapes Kidney Bean Re Carving

  14. 14

    So How Smooth is "Smooth" When It Comes to Crumbcoating

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How Smooth is Smooth

Enroll now and start carving cakes with confidence—no more guesswork, just stunning results!

Whether you're a hobbyist or aspiring cake artist, this class gives you the skills, structure, and insider tips to elevate your creations and wow your clients. Your next masterpiece starts here.

£95.00

Enroll now