Honey Crumb Cake Academy
We’ll help you take your work from “Oh, that’s cute…” to “Holy crap, that’s incredible!”
Group Workshops
Perhaps you’ve been working in the custom cake industry for some time, and are seeking new inspiration — or would like to start your own business.
Or, perhaps you’re a beginner, eager to acquire fresh new skills in the sugar arts. Wherever you come from, no matter what brings you to us: You are welcome here!
Our group workshops are a space to nurture your own creativity, and to connect with other artists and seekers. You’ll watch as your own technical skills grow, while your love for the art form expands. You’ll find delight in being in the moment, creating beauty with your own hands, with Carla as your guide.
Vintage Pastel Cake Workshop
MONDAY, May 12th, 2025
2 hours (5PM to 7PM), $245
In this intimate masterclass with chef Carla, we’ll have you wielding a piping bag and busting out a gorgeous vintage pastel cake like a pro. Hosted at the beautiful Honey Crumb studio in lower Queen Anne, this workshop is perfect for beginners and cake enthusiasts of all skill levels. No prior experience is necessary. We’ll focus on several key decorating techniques: tinting buttercream and creating a palette, using various piping tips to create different buttercream effects, adding sprinkle details, and incorporating your choice of unique touches (like wafer-paper butterflies or pearl dragees) to take your design to the next level. Carla has over 15 years of experience in the custom cake world, so you’re welcome to pick her brain on the day with any burning questions.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
How to load a piping bag and tint buttercream to any color you desire
Selecting a color palette
Choosing the correct piping tip for your project
How to vary piping pressure to create a variety of different ruffles and borders
How to add edible sprinkle accents and other custom embellishments
Tips for practicing at home and ideas to continue experimenting with, to allow your own creativity to emerge
You’ll also watch a fun demo on frosting a cake smoothly and adding JUST the perfect amount of rustic texture
And, of course, you’ll get expert answers to any cake-related questions that pop up along the way!
WHAT YOU’LL BRING HOME
Your own 5” cake, decorated to perfection (and in your choice of flavor: Vanilla Raspberry, or Chocolate Espresso)
Our flawless buttercream recipe that is a cinch to whip up, easy to work with, and truly delicious
Two STUNNING cake recipes of ours (classic vanilla, and chocolate sour cream) that we normally keep under lock and key!
A box in which to take your cake home and tips on transporting and storing your cake
Sources for all of our favorite baking supplies and piping tools
Plenty of other baking hacks and trade secrets
NOTE: This is always a SUPER popular class and sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate!
*** READY TO SIGN UP? ***
Cake Decorating 101
TUESDAY, April 15th, 2025
3.5 hours (3PM to 6.30PM), $400
In this intimate masterclass with chef Carla, you’ll gain the confidence to create cakes to share with everyone you love. Hosted at the beautiful Honey Crumb studio in lower Queen Anne, this workshop is perfect for beginners. No prior baking or cake decorating experience is necessary. We’ll focus on several key decorating techniques: frosting a cake smoothly, adding texture and color washes with buttercream, adding metallic splatter, and creatively topping off your cake with other fun additions. Carla has over 15 years of experience in the custom cake world, so you’re welcome to pick her brain on the day with any burning questions.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
How to build a multi-layer cake with delicious filling inside (demo only)
How to crumb-coat a cake
How to add a final layer of frosting to your cake and achieve lovely straight sides and sharp edges
How to tint buttercream and select a color palette
How to add texture to a cake using simple tools
How to “paint” on a cake with buttercream to create washes of color, gradients, and other watercolor-inspired looks
How to create an edible metallic “paint” and use it creatively to turn your cake into an artistic canvas
MORE options for creative (and edible) decorations to take your cakes to the next level
Tips for practicing at home and ideas to continue experimenting with, to allow your own creativity to emerge
Answers to any cake questions that pop up along the way!
WHAT YOU’LL BRING HOME
Your own 5” cake, decorated to perfection (and in your choice of flavor: Chocolate Espresso or Vanilla Raspberry)
Our flawless buttercream recipe that is a cinch to whip up, easy to work with, and truly delicious
Two STUNNING cake recipes of ours (classic vanilla, and chocolate sour cream) that we normally keep under lock and key!
A box in which to take your cake home and tips on transporting and storing your cake
Sources for all of our favorite baking supplies and piping tools
Plenty of other baking hacks and trade secrets
*** READY TO SIGN UP? ***
Sugar Flowers: Wedding Blooms
Monday, May 5th, & Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
10am to 4PM (each day), $725
THE MOST INSPIRING MASTERCLASS YOU’LL ATTEND ALL YEAR!
In this intimate two-day workshop with chef Carla, you’ll be immersed into the magical world of sugar flowers and will be AMAZED at what you can create. Hosted at the beautiful Honey Crumb studio in lower Queen Anne, this workshop is perfect for anyone who loves flowers and is curious about creating them out of gumpaste. No prior sugar sculpting or cake baking experience is necessary, though more advanced students will still find this workshop incredibly satisfying and beneficial.
We’ll focus on several popular species of sugar flowers that are frequently used to adorn wedding cakes, though you’ll want to use them on ALL your baked creations! Learn the classic peony, the bold Oriental poppy, the frilly sweet pea, the delicate snowberry, and various styles of beautiful foliage to add contrast and visual interest to your arrangements. Carla has over 15 years of experience in the world of Fine Art wedding cakes, so you’re welcome to pick her brain with any burning questions.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
How to make and work confidently with sugar flower paste (aka “gumpaste”), including coloring your paste and storing it
How to prepare your workspace for clean, efficient creating
How to use specialized cutters and veiners to create flower centers, petals, buds, and leaves
How to add dimension and additional color to your sugar flowers using edible paint and petal dusts
How to assemble your flowers, group them into arrangements, and style them on a cake
Tips for practicing at home and ideas to continue experimenting with, to allow your own creativity to emerge
Answers to any cake questions that pop up along the way!
WHAT YOU’LL BRING HOME
Your own bouquet of sugar flowers to enjoy (and display in your home or studio!) forever
Our flawless gumpaste recipe
A box lined with crinkle paper in which to take your flowers home, and tips on transporting and storing sugar flowers
Sources for all of our favorite sugar flower tools and baking supplies
Plenty of tips, tricks, and trade secrets
ALL TOOLS AND MATERIALS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR IN-CLASS USE
*** READY TO SIGN UP? ***
Sugar Flowers 101: The “ONE CUTTER” Class
Monday, September 8th, & Tuesday, September 9th, 2025
12 NOON to 5PM (each day), $645
LEARN CARLA’S INNOVATIVE & EFFICIENT APPROACH USING MINIMAL EQUIPMENT
In this intimate two-day workshop with chef Carla, you’ll be astonished to learn what you can create with just ONE set of sugar flower cutters. Hosted at the beautiful Honey Crumb studio in lower Queen Anne, this workshop is perfect for anyone who loves flowers and is curious about creating them out of gumpaste. No prior sugar sculpting or cake baking experience is necessary. Having said that, if you’re a commercial baker or cake artist, this workshop will help you to incorporate sugar flowers into your business in a profitable and enjoyable way.
We’ll focus on several popular species of sugar flowers that you’ll be able to use on all your cakes: the Japanese anemone, the ranunculus, and the hellebore. We’ll also cover a couple of variations of foliage to add visual interest and movement to your arrangements. Carla has over 15 years of experience in the world of Fine Art wedding cakes, so you’re welcome to pick her brain on the day with any burning questions.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
How to make and work confidently with sugar flower paste (aka “gumpaste”), including coloring your paste and storing it
How to prepare your workspace for clean, efficient creating
How to use specialized cutters and veiners to create flower centers, petals, buds, and leaves
How to add dimension and additional color to your sugar flowers using edible paint and petal dusts
How to assemble your flowers, group them into arrangements, and style them on a cake
Tips for practicing at home and ideas to continue experimenting with, to allow your own creativity to emerge
Answers to any cake questions that pop up along the way!
WHAT YOU’LL BRING HOME
Your own bouquet of sugar flowers to enjoy (and display in your home or studio!) forever
Our flawless gumpaste recipe
A box lined with crinkle paper in which to take your flowers home, and tips on transporting and storing sugar flowers
Sources for all of our favorite sugar flower tools and baking supplies
Plenty of tips, tricks, and trade secrets
ALL TOOLS AND MATERIALS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR IN-CLASS USE
*** READY TO SIGN UP? ***
A FEW EXTRA DETAILS REGARDING ALL HONEY CRUMB WORKSHOPS:
Prefer not to pay in full upfront? Need a payment plan? Need a helping hand with the signup process? Send an email to Carla (carla@honeycrumb.com) and she’ll be right on it!
ALL TOOLS AND SUPPLIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR YOUR USE DURING CLASS. Please bring an apron if you’d like to protect your clothes from food coloring and/or buttercream smears!
We’ll have a glass of bubbly (or a refreshing non-alcoholic alternative) ready for you, and filtered water available. We always serve delish cake scraps at our workshops, so while you’re learning and working hard, you can snack on the trimmings from the cake you’ll be taking home! You’re welcome to bring your own food and beverages.
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 8
SKILL LEVEL: Any!
LOCATION: Our spacious cake studio in lower Queen Anne (177 Western Ave W, Suite 268-A, Seattle, WA 98119)
MINIMUM AGE: Our in-person workshops are intended for students aged 16 and older. Students aged 10 to 15 years may attend if accompanied by an adult who has also purchased a ticket.
Workshops are subject to cancellation if the minimum capacity is not met. If the workshop is canceled, students will receive a full refund.
Cancellation Policy: If you wish to cancel up to six weeks before the date of the workshop, we can offer a credit towards another workshop. We do not offer a credit for workshops canceled with less than six weeks of notice, but you are welcome to send another participant in your stead. Please be aware that this policy applies to all cancellations.
Cake Business Consultations
For cake business owners, Carla offers private consultations (via phone, or video chat, or in-person).
Seeking to grow your custom cake business? Seeking to transition from a Cottage Food-licensed home kitchen or commissary space to your very own brick-and-mortar retail storefront with a commercial lease? Need help with building out an online store to make it easier for customers to order from you? Seeking to diversify your revenue streams by offering new products or start hosting workshops? Not sure how to price your cakes?
“Rent My Brain” sessions can cover anything you’d like to explore. Carla will send you a short questionnaire before your session so that she can prepare and provide you with the most relevant guidance.
Cake Baking Resources
It all begins with flour and sugar. You’ll need just a few key pieces of equipment to begin baking cakes like a professional. Check out our favorites below.
Cake Decorating Resources
There are so many tools and new-fangled accessories that you can buy as a cake artist. But the truth is, you don’t need more than a few pivotal pieces. Check out our favorites below.
Sugar Flower Resources
We know it can be daunting to try your hand at making sugar flowers. We believe in making the most out of just a few tools, which will save you money while also helping your creativity to flourish. Shop our most beloved flower veiners, cutters, and other tools below.