Skip to main content

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!

Live stream preview

Watch this video and more on Cakeheads

Watch this video and more on Cakeheads

Subscribe Learn more

Already subscribed? Sign in

Ship Painting "Leaking" Cake

1h 30m

Using isomalt directly on cake, creating a miniature ship and using edible images and a little airbrushing.

Notes on using isomalt: microwave for 30 seconds and then at 15 second intervals until fully melted; let sit for a couple of minutes until the bubbles stop moving; only use airbrush colors (or dusts) to color the isomalt (NOT gel colors); can torch surface of created piece to get rid of surface bubbles; use fan to cool and set isomalt pieces after creating; can paint with airbrush or hand-paint; coat with spray glaze once finished creating piece; no fridge or freezer storage! Shawna used 6" and 8" tiers.

---
LINKS & SUPPLIES

Related tutorial: Live! Isomalt 101 With Sidney Galpern of Simi Cakes! (covers everything you need to know about using isomalt): https://cakeheads.vhx.tv/videos/live-isomalt-101-with-sidney-galpern-of-simi-cakes

RECIPES
- White Almond Sour Cream Cake (WASC)
- SUPER Easy Meringue Buttercream (Vanilla or Chocolate!)
- Chocolate Sour Cream Cake

SUPPLIES
- 3 Pieces Pink Picture Frames Silicone Mold: https://amzn.to/3Snis6X
- CAI Tylose Powder, 2 Ounce: https://www.amazon.com/Confectionery-Arts-International-Professional-Strength/dp/B0013GMLRA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?crid=2S3SZTBCR6KIH&keywords=tylose+powder&qid=1566828814&s=home-garden&sprefix=tylose,garden,145&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=a903411464ec783b79d347c25919d446&language=en_US
- Satin Ice Gumpaste: https://www.amazon.com/Satin-Ice-White-Pounds-Decorative/dp/B000FJPKWO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6946005572cf110aadc87e1a98b996a8&language=en_US
- Ejiubas Clay Sculpting Tools, Color Shapers, Polymer Stylus Tool Set: https://www.amazon.com/Ejiubas-Sculpting-Modeling-Supplies-Ceramics/dp/B0758BP4YT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1544465304&sr=1-8&keywords=color+shapers&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=50ce792a3ef0c7d92ce48826d1e63ea0&language=en_US
- Grafix Acetate Pad, 9x12 in, Clear, 25 Sheets/Pad: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QJX1JI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=71b5f139063b0a0510cec953177112be&language=en_US
- One Stroke Brush Set, 1059 (10-Pack): https://www.amazon.com/One-Stroke-Brush-1059-10-Pack/dp/B000X7DCZK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=flat+brush+set&qid=1571237018&s=home-garden&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=138d8bbe8780e615b631acf413d322c6&language=en_US
- 100 Count Edible Rectangle Wafer Paper, 8x11 Inch, White: https://www.amazon.com/100-Count-Edible-Rectangle-11-Inch/dp/B00024WNVI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkId=&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=3db2f213bc8be7c4273ee3937471193b&language=en_US
- Wicked Sticky Edible Glue: https://evilcakegenius.com/wicked-sticky-edible-glue.html
- Gonicc 8" Professional Sharp Bypass Pruning Shears: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHK9JG6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=30e134408aedc18d16a09bf58b231404&language=en_US
- Edible Fabric Sheets White: https://evilcakegenius.com/equipment-supplies/food-products/edible-fabric/edible-fabric-sheets-white.html
- Incredible Paint by Evil Cake Genius: https://evilcakegenius.com/search/?q=incredible+paint
- Pack of 4 Ball Tools, Embossing Pen Sugar Craft by Glamorway: https://www.amazon.com/Vktech-Embossing-Rolling-Decorating-Fondant/dp/B00BLFAEY0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1497988862&sr=8-3&keywords=ball+tool&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=385bff7b267cc26ab7883103dba22e44&language=en_US
- Isomalt Pillows Diamond Clear: https://evilcakegenius.com/stencils/stencils-for-cakes/geode-sketching-stamp-products/isomalt-pillows-diamond-clear.html
- Isomalt Gloves, Small: https://evilcakegenius.com/equipment-supplies/decorating-tools/isomalt-gloves-small.html
- Cookie Countess Airbrush Colors: https://www.thecookiecountess.com/collections/airbrushing
- Silpat Premium Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat, Half Sheet: https://amzn.to/42elP2V
- 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
- Blow Torch, Professional Kitchen Cooking Torch: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Adjustable-Refillable-Soldering-Included/dp/B07JLQBPZT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=blow+torch&qid=1553019031&s=gateway&sr=8-5&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=6dc241e3672d2451050e00f168805660&language=en_US
- LAMOURIC Desk Fan, USB Quiet Desk Fan: https://www.amazon.com/GLAMOURIC-Personal-Circulator-Adjustable-Operation/dp/B01HG3LAZW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=small+fan&qid=1553020641&s=gateway&sr=8-16&linkCode=ll1&tag=mcgcak-20&linkId=ba5402d61359dbead0f83b4a7d6527c8&language=en_US
- Airbrush Spray Booth, Cakesafe: https://www.cakesafe.com/store#!/Airbrush-Spray-Booth/c/12169190/offset=0&sort=normal
- TruColor Cordless Airbrush System: https://www.etsy.com/listing/746232579/trucolor-cordless-airbrush-system