Yes. You read that right.
I copied a cake.
So let’s talk about it.
I know this topic makes cake designers uncomfortable.
We’re told to be original, find our own style, and never copy anyone else’s work.
And the shame around copying on social media can feel unbearable.
But here is the honest truth:
Copying is how you learn.
I wanted to understand the technique
I saw a cake in Maggie Austin’s book on page 113.
I was immediately drawn to a specific technique.
Not the colors.
Not the exact look.
The structure.
The movement.
The way the elements worked together.
Artists still need to practice the craft
We are artists, creatives, and visionaries.
But that also means we have to practice the craft.
We need to figure out:
- Which fondant actually works
- Which colors translate well in real life
- How long a technique really takes
- Whether we even enjoy making it
So I decided to recreate the cake.
Not to pass it off as my own idea.
Not to sell it as a signature design.
But to study it.
You master techniques by doing
You don’t master a technique by simply feeling inspired.
You master it by doing the work.
Copying a cake teaches your hands what your eyes can’t yet explain.
Then something interesting starts to happen.
- You change the proportions.
- You adjust the textures.
- You combine techniques from different designs.
- You notice what feels like you and what doesn’t.
Eventually, without forcing it, your own style starts to appear.
That is exactly how my work evolved.
I didn’t wake up one day with a signature look.
I built it by practicing other people’s ideas with intention, respect, and curiosity.
Copying is the training ground
Copying is not the end goal.
It is the training ground.
The mistake is stopping there.
The real growth begins when you ask:
- How can I make this mine next time?
- What do I want to keep?
- What doesn’t feel like me?
So if you have ever felt guilty for wanting to recreate a cake you admire, remember this:
That is one way you get better.
But if you plan to sell the design, there is an important line to respect.
Replicate the technique, not the cake.
That is where the real art begins.
You combine techniques.
You make intentional choices.
And the final design becomes something that could only come from you.
Learning to make those choices is also a big part of what I teach inside WAFER PAPER ACADEMY.
I’ll show you how to create lifelike flowers, build textures, arrange floral elements, and use those techniques to design wedding cakes that still feel like your work.
You don’t have to wait for your signature style to magically appear.
You can build it, one intentional choice at a time.
