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Cakeheads is an online cake-decorating school and community created by cake artist, Shawna McGreevy. For more than 10 years, Cakeheads has helped cake decorators of all skill levels learn professional cake-decorating techniques through detailed, step-by-step video instruction, project tutorials, recipes, and an active online community. The mission of Cakeheads is to make professional cake decorating approachable and achievable for everyone—from beginners learning the fundamentals to experienced decorators looking to expand their skills and creativity. At the heart of Cakeheads is an extensive library of hundreds of cake-decorating tutorials and projects. Members learn how to create beautiful, elaborate cakes while also mastering the individual techniques behind them. The library gives members the ability to learn at their own pace and return to techniques and projects whenever they need them. The tutorials range from fundamental cake-decorating skills to highly specialized and advanced projects, making the library useful to decorators at virtually every level. The tutorials cover a wide range of skills, including preparing and baking cakes, making buttercream and ganache, leveling and filling cakes, achieving sharp edges, covering cakes with fondant, stacking and supporting tiered cakes, creating decorative elements, sculpting, painting, working with edible paper, cookies, macarons, and many other specialty cake-decorating techniques. Cakeheads also provides foundational instruction for decorators who want to build strong skills and understand not only what to do, but how and why each technique works. Community is an important part of the Cakeheads experience. Members have access to a supportive group of fellow cake decorators where they can ask questions, share their work, get advice, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate their accomplishments. Cakeheads is built around the idea of *Learn, Grow, and Connect*—giving decorators the education, inspiration, and community support they need to continually improve their craft. Cakeheads is founded and taught by Shawna McGreevy, a professional cake artist and educator. Shawna brings years of hands-on cake-decorating experience to her teaching and specializes in breaking complicated techniques down into clear, approachable steps. Her teaching philosophy is centered on helping decorators understand the techniques behind professional cake decorating so they can confidently apply those skills to their own creations. Shawna has been featured in several different magazines such as Cake Masters and American Cake Decorating Magazine and has been a featured artist at the Cake, Bake and Sweets Show, Australia and the Cake Fair in Florida. She’s also taught cake classes around the world, was nominated for the Cake Masters Cake Hero award and has been chosen as one of the top ten cake artists in the United States, 2017 by Cake Masters Magazine. In short, Cakeheads combines professional instruction, an extensive on-demand video library, practical techniques, creative projects, and an encouraging community in one place!

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Making a Birdcage & Distressed Box cake, Getting Sharp Edges on Square Cakes!

All Cakeheads Tutorials • 1h 22m

Complete Tutorial on how to make this vintage birdcage and distressed box cake. Also, sharp buttercream edges on square cakes.

NOTE!! If you want to get a better, beautiful finish on your square/rectangle tier in buttercream, after fondant, chill your cake in the freezer. Then take it out and using one of your scrapers, start at the very corner of each side to sharpen the edge. Doing this after the buttercream has been sufficiently chilled will give you a beautiful finish. If you have some gaps or air bubbles that need to be filled, just add some more buttercream over those spots and repeat.

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LINKS & SUPPLIES

Related tutorial: Section 3 (Making Ganache) of the Fundamentals Course: https://cakeheads.vhx.tv/videos/cakeheads-session-three
Related tutorial: Modeling Chocolate video tutorial and live session recording (no separate video available)

RECIPES
- Chocolate Ganache (and how to adjust the ratio for white chocolate ganache too!)
- Modeling Chocolate

SUPPLIES
- Fiskars 12-87577097J Acrylic Ruler, 6x24 Inch: https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-12-87577097J-Acrylic-Ruler-6x24/dp/B002XNULX8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkId=&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=a302eaa78023736911615254cc488a19&language=en_US
- Sugarworks Artists Cake Turntable: https://www.amazon.com/Sugarworks-Artists-Turntable-Rotating-Decorating/dp/B06XKPJD56/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=innovative+sugarworks&qid=1567098188&s=hi&sr=8-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=ea9bf5196b89e3b66fcead5b931e5f94&language=en_US
- Turntable Expander by Sugarworks: https://www.sugarworks.com/collections/turntables-accessories/products/turntable-expander
- 3 Pack PTFE Teflon Sheet for Heat Press Transfer, Non Stick, 16x20": https://www.amazon.com/Teflon-Sheet-Transfer-Reusable-Resistant/dp/B07H55M1ZR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1548795698&sr=1-6&keywords=reusable+baking+foil&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6dc9caedd1abcc77fb118bfe358b7646&language=en_US
- IRWIN Tools Combination Square, Metal-Body, 6-Inch: https://www.amazon.com/Tools-Combination-Square-Metal-Body-1794468/dp/B005XUHI98/ref=as_li_ss_tl?psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=c3ea1067c87fe8b07587bdff6a3683a9&language=en_US
- Wilton 418-789 Carded Tip Cake Icer: https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-418-789-Carded-Cake-Icer/dp/B00IE71WY4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2IC3C1JJNUW5T&keywords=wilton+icer+tip&qid=1567098884&s=gateway&sprefix=wilton+icer,aps,155&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=a240a24ee405cee4ff6b9a8d1206ac4d&language=en_US
- Featherweight Decorating Piping Bag, Reusable, 35cm (14in): https://www.amazon.com/Featherweight-Decorating-Piping-Reusable-35cm/dp/B000ANOW10/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=143XD3YGHKB21&keywords=wilton+decorating+bags&qid=1566825853&s=home-garden&sprefix=wilton+decorating+b,garden,152&sr=1-18&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=e5c7ae4d8c39710ba99880786fe0f83a&language=en_US
- Cakeheads Bench Scraper: contact [email protected] to inquire (see cakeheads.com contact page, prior to closure)
- Wilton Easy Glide Fondant Smoother: https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Easy-Glide-Fondant-Smoother/dp/B0000VMBQU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ac_md=1-0-VW5kZXIgJDU=-ac_d_pm&crid=2EAEN6TETZ45G&keywords=fondant+smoother&pd_rd_i=B0000VMBQU&psc=1&qid=1566930425&s=home-garden&sprefix=fondant+s,garden,156&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6962cf015cc0196318f23cb898bdedf8&language=en_US
- Carma Massa Ticcino Rolling Fondant, Tropical, 7 Kg / 15.4 Lbs: https://www.amazon.com/Carma-Massa-Ticcino-Rolling-Tropical/dp/B00C90538S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=29d0efb0084a78a87b1df8413e7dbe6f&language=en_US
- Innovative Sugarworks Sugar Smoothers, Small and Medium: https://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Sugarworks-Smoothers-Sugarcraft-Decorating/dp/B01BK7L2HG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=DND1JN7AAT9U&keywords=innovative+sugarworks+sugar+smoother&qid=1567107263&s=gateway&sprefix=innovative+sugarworks+smooth,aps,156&sr=8-22-spons&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=d8ce9fbfdf219d611f6416f7db4d6582&language=en_US
- Wilton 3D Sports Ball Cake Pan, 4-Piece Set, 6-inch: https://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Baseball-Planetary-Spheres-4-Piece/dp/B0000VZ3YM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=15M8RRTSJ6CRO&keywords=wilton+sports+ball+cake+pan&qid=1567102747&s=gateway&sprefix=wilton+sports+ball,aps,155&sr=8-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=9c1f18e5f7b51288b7d9c39d8c57e62a&language=en_US
- Acc U Rate 172 Pcs Clear With Stripe Boba Straws: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004050ED4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=eace349b2fbaca10be5d7cba25b53f26&language=en_US
- 1/4 Inch x 48 Inch Wooden Dowel Rods: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XRKFGEK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=927d74c2ec52ab67f82e33e7ee15556d&language=en_US
- Food Coloring AmeriColor Bright White Soft Gel Paste, .75 Oz: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Coloring-AmeriColor-Bright-White/dp/B000MSZTQA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=americolor+gel+white&qid=1567204217&s=gateway&sr=8-5&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=f44fda1c24c2ff726b1b1e2db9a7ce77&language=en_US
- Food Coloring AmeriColor Nifty Fifty AmeriMist Kit, 50 x .65 Oz Bottles: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Coloring-AmeriColor-AmeriMist-Bottles/dp/B0798VGTHW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=14D3MORBIJRRL&keywords=amerimist+airbrush+colors&qid=1566933940&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=ac4bde71411edabd229ea42729300047&language=en_US
- Edible Hybrid Petal Dust, Midnight Black by Roxy & Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Edible-Hybrid-Petal-Midnight-Black/dp/B07576L6NK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=Roxy+&+Rich+Edible+Hybrid+blACK&qid=1568992567&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=15db351f619011bdc3289f00eed4db2c&language=en_US
- Makin's USA M380-1 Texture Sheets, Cobblestone/Brick/Wave/Sand: https://www.amazon.com/Makins-USA-M380-1-Texture-Cobblestone/dp/B001141F3A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkId=&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=99c2ddefc7fb6997779411d3429ae1d6&language=en_US
- Ateco 12 Wheel Stainless Steel Cutter: https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-Wheel-Stainless-Cutter-Wheels/dp/B000KEUKI8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=0073621dc96ea6474aed4d83c078e065&language=en_US
- Sweet Sticks Edible Art Decorative Cake Paint 0.5 Oz, Metallic Burnt Bronze: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sticks-Decorative-Milliliters-Metallic/dp/B07H79NM7D/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=sweet+sticks+bronze&qid=1570547434&s=home-garden&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=5fa77f14f8aa9627c87d2fdfe1528cfa&language=en_US
- Plastic Round Fondant Plunger Cutters Set: https://www.amazon.com/4-pieces-Plastic-Plunger-Cutters-Decorating/dp/B01N6BKOJT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=plunger+round+fondant+cutters&qid=1566919709&s=home-garden&sr=1-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=42100ded4103881fced89aa1b6cd6811&language=en_US
- Innovative Sugarworks Sugar Shapers: https://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Sugarworks-Decorating-Sugarcraft-Chocolate/dp/B00WQUOFOE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3A5CD22ELTA2&keywords=innovative+sugarworks&qid=1566862892&s=gateway&sprefix=innovative+sugar,aps,149&sr=8-5&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=40bf6c814efc9d286d96d2726b930956&language=en_US
- Ateco 9pc Plain Oval Cutter Set: https://www.amazon.com/Ateco-5254-Cutters-Graduated-Stainless/dp/B000KESPT4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=3FY6OTVWEAQP6&keywords=ateco+oval+cutters&qid=1566930226&s=home-garden&sprefix=ateco+oval+cu,garden,153&sr=1-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=241c1f137257c6885a953da79cff6702&language=en_US
- SweetGourmet Licorice Black Laces, 2 Lb: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006J1FCT8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=8e3883264081df54d49c63e213bf7f90&language=en_US

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SUPPLIES

- 100 Count Edible Rectangle Wafer Paper, 8 by 11-Inch, White: https://www.amazon.com/100-Count-Edible-Rectangle-11-Inch/dp/B00024WNVI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkId=&th=1&linkCode=ll1&...
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LINKS & SUPPLIES

Related tutorial: Section 3 (Making Ganache) of the Fundamentals Course: https://cakeheads.vhx.tv/videos/cakeheads-session-three
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