Polymer Clay Cake

Making realistic polymer clay cakes is ridiculously fun and easy. Once you learn a few basic tricks you can do pretty much anything you've always wanted to eat (but please, don't eat them!). They make great gifts and dollhouse decorations, and they're sure to surprise your friends.

I'm going to teach you the basics to polymer clay cake making, and a few ideas to decorate them. I'm uploading some of my best cakes for inspiration, but going to your favorite cake store is also highly recommended. This is a very addictive activity, I hope you'll enjoy it and if you need tips please let me know! I'm always glad to help.

This instructable will cover:

How to get a realistic translucent cake. Not opaque or chalky.
How to make a realistic cake texture.
How to decorate your cake with fondant, icing, etc.
How to pipe polymer clay.

I'm also including the cutting template and scale conversion table that I made because I hate uneven slices of cake. Please feel free to download it, print it and use it as much as you want, it works for many other projects too. Just please don't redistribute it.

scale sheet.pdf2 MB

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Step 1: Clay and tools

CLAY

Translucent clay. I use Sculpey III Translucent No. 010
Pale yellow clay. I use Sculpey III Sunshine No. 1274 *
Clay in many colors for fondant, icing, decorations, etc.
Translucent Liquid Sculpey (TLS).
Sculpey Clay Softener (not pictured). If you're going to pipe the clay, softener makes it easier.

* Note: Sunshine was recently discontinued, but there's a color in Premo that's also called Sunshine and it looks pretty much the same. I haven't tried it yet.

TOOLS

A rolling pin or pasta machine.
A round cutter. Mine's diameter is 4 cm.
Blades. For cakes I like to use a tissue blade, razor blade and straight utility knife blade.
Toothpicks and needles. Look for pointy ones! Pointy needles and toothpicks achieve a better texture.
(Not pictured) Icing nozzles. I buy icing nozzles from my cooking store because they're cheap and easy to use, some people prefer to use a clay extruder... but in my opinion, what better way to make realistic pipping than with a real icing nozzle?

jborgers says: May 3, 2013. 4:03 PM

Thank you soooo much for your post! It inspired me alot!

poofrabbit says: Nov 17, 2012. 11:45 AM

WOW these are fantastic!

Pancake! says: Jul 20, 2012. 10:31 AM

What do you mean by 20 parts of TLS?

talty (author) in reply to Pancake!Aug 5, 2012. 8:08 PM

20 parts of translucent clay, not translucent liquid sculpey (TLS). Measure 20 parts of translucent clay and 1 part of sunshine, mix them together.

Pancake! in reply to taltyAug 7, 2012. 10:37 AM

Oh! Okay lol I got confused :P

ZoDo says: Jan 28, 2012. 11:33 PM

Really awesome instructable...I tried to make some myself and this was the result...not quite like yours but I'm making progress.

If you would like to see more of my models check out my blog:
aandr-design.blogspot.com

talty (author) in reply to ZoDoJan 29, 2012. 7:38 AM

They look wonderful already! Great job, I'm sure you'll only get better each time :D thank you so much for showing me!

mandyhappy13 says: Jan 18, 2012. 6:56 PM

The cakes are AWESOME!!!
just one question:
can I use silicone for the frosting? I want to try it first before buying it :)

talty (author) in reply to mandyhappy13Jan 24, 2012. 2:20 PM

Thank you!!
You can use silicone for the frosting, just make sure you don't bake it again after frosting it. Silicone does weird things in the oven, and I'm not even sure if it's safe to bake it.

spectacular says: Nov 21, 2011. 9:23 PM

These. Are. Amazing. They look so real i just want to eat them!

talty (author) in reply to spectacularDec 18, 2011. 8:25 PM

Thanks! That was my goal, so I'm glad I succeeded!

N1K1_1NC. says: Dec 1, 2011. 9:32 AM

Can i eat 'em? Great Job!

talty (author) in reply to N1K1_1NC.Dec 18, 2011. 8:25 PM

Thank you! :)

sabaku no gaara says: Oct 27, 2011. 4:37 AM

Ahhhh so you entered didn't you Talty? Good Luck!!!!!!!!!

(Shipokun)

talty (author) in reply to sabaku no gaaraOct 27, 2011. 11:24 AM

Thank you!! I did enter and luckily I won one of the first prizes, I'm so happy!!

sabaku no gaara in reply to taltyOct 28, 2011. 12:28 AM

hehehehehe I know you would!!

Its a pity they dont sell polymer clay at my hometown

talty (author) in reply to sabaku no gaaraOct 28, 2011. 10:23 PM

that's a pity, I know I would cry if they didn't' sell it here :( can you buy it online?

sabaku no gaara in reply to taltyNov 19, 2011. 10:44 PM

yesss!!!!!!!

Just ordered a few!

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sunshiine says: Oct 5, 2011. 1:53 PM

CONGRATULATIONS! I knew you would place! Enjoy your booty!

mstyle183 says: Sep 26, 2011. 6:59 AM

good luck.. wow my baker friend would love this idea

talty (author) in reply to mstyle183Sep 26, 2011. 7:41 AM

Thank you!! hehe I'm glad it could interest bakers :D it's fun to make!

yngla says: Sep 17, 2011. 8:21 AM

Super cute cakes! And a great tutorial as well. I need some polymer clay at once!

talty (author) in reply to ynglaSep 17, 2011. 8:04 PM

Thank you! I'm glad that you liked the tutorial and my cakes, I hope you'll find the clay and have fun with it!

ZoDo says: Sep 16, 2011. 1:22 AM

WOW. You are one gifted person. Good luck in the contest. I voted for you.

talty (author) in reply to ZoDoSep 16, 2011. 11:37 AM

Thank you for everything! I appreciate your nice words, the good wishes and the vote! :D They all help me a lot!

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Mrballeng says: Sep 11, 2011. 12:48 AM

Why isn't this in the clay contest? Great job. I almost stuck a fork through my screen.

talty (author) in reply to MrballengSep 11, 2011. 9:03 PM

Thank you!!! I'm not responsible for any damages that may occur to your screen *chuckles*

I submitted it to the clay contest but sadly it hasn't been approved yet, hopefully Monday!