About the course

Dive into the delightful world of novelty cake sculpting with Dawn as your guide! In this fin-tastic course, students will learn how to: - 🐟 Plan and sketch their fishy cake design with confidence - 🔪 Carve a realistic mackerel shape from rich fruit cake - 🍥 Cover their creation with marzipan and smooth sugarpaste - 🎨 Airbrush shimmering scales and lifelike fishy details - 🪵 Design a themed cake board that mimics a riverbed setting Whether you're a seasoned cake artist or just dipping your toes into sculpted cakes, this course will reel you in with its playful techniques and polished results. By the end, you’ll have a showstopping centerpiece that looks like it swam straight out of a storybook stream.

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

4 Chapters · 15 Lessons

  1. 1

    Planning & Carving

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Planning Part 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Carving Part 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Carving Part 3

  2. 2

    Covering the Cake

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Covering Marzipan

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Covering

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Detailing

  3. 3

    Airbrushing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbrushing Part 1

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbrushing part 2

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbrushing Part 3

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Stencilling the Pattern

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbrushing Final Shading Details

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Airbrushing Final Shading Details 2

  4. 4

    The Board

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Making Pebbles

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Covering the Board Time Lapse

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Final Details and Done

Enroll now and bring Mac the Mackerel to life—your sculpted showpiece awaits!

With Dawn’s expert guidance and a splash of creativity, you’ll master techniques that wow clients, charm guests, and make your fish cake the catch of the day.

Please contact us for access. (opens email in new window)