Welcome to our 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.
Upcoming Workshops: 2024
Thanksgiving Cake Workshop
TUESDAY, November 26th, 2024
2 hours (5PM to 7PM), $175
THE SWEETEST LEARNING EVENING YOU’VE EVER ENJOYED!
In this intimate masterclass with chef Carla, we’ll have you wielding a piping bag and paintbrush 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 using a color wheel, piping abstract buttercream flowers, adding carved details, and creating edible metallic “paint” for special details. 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 the correct piping tip for your project
How to vary piping pressure to create a variety of different abstract floral petals
How to carve into your cake to create abstract vines, and add edible metallic accents (inspired by the images shown here)
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 that trendy “deckled” edge
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 6” cake, decorated to perfection (and in your choice of flavor: Carrot Maple Cream Cheese, or Chocolate Cardamom) — which will make a PERFECT Thanksgiving dessert if you store it in the fridge, in its box, until Thursday the 28th!
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 carrot, 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? ***
Workshops 2025
Cake Decorating 101
THURSDAY, January 9th, 2025
3.5 hours (3PM to 6.30PM), $400
THE SWEETEST LEARNING EVENING YOU’VE EVER ENJOYED!
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 a variety of fun additions (meringues, macarons, and fresh fruit). 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 6” 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 (vanilla buttermilk, 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? ***
VEGAN Cake Masterclass
THURSDAY, February 20th, 2025
3.5 hours (3PM to 6.30PM), $400
A WORKSHOP TO DEMYSTIFY THE (TRICKY!) VEGAN CAKE
This is a fantastic, fun, fulfilling workshop crammed with loads of tips and techniques. The skills you’ll learn in class can be applied to so many different occasions — from bridal/baby showers, to birthdays and even weddings. The vintage piped “Coquette” cake style is super popular these days and is so achievable, even with vegan buttercream — which can be so finicky for beginners. Fear no more!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
Chef Carla’s trade secrets, gleaned from 15 years of baking custom vegan wedding & celebration cakes
How to make the PERFECT vegan buttercream — light, silky, not too sweet, and beautifully stable for all kinds of decorative work (unlike the soupy mess that you’ll likely get when following other “vegan frosting” recipes online…)
How to prepare a “secretly vegan” vanilla cake batter that bakes up perfectly and remains tender and delicious for days
How to fill a multi-layer cake with vegan buttercream, and how to crumb-coat a cake (demo)
How to add a perfect final coat to a cake and achieve straight sides (demo)
How to tint vegan buttercream without causing it to split (demo)
How to decorate your cake with a retro / vintage piped buttercream exterior (so on-trend!), with plenty of hands-on decorating time to help you perfect your technique
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 6” cake, decorated to perfection (and in your choice of flavor: Vegan Chocolate Espresso or Vegan Vanilla Raspberry)
Our flawless vegan buttercream recipe that is a cinch to whip up, easy to work with, and truly delicious
Two STUNNING vegan cake recipes of ours (vanilla and chocolate) 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
Saturday, May 17th, & Sunday, May 18th, 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: 10
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.
Private Instruction
What are you yearning to learn?
No matter which sugar flower or cake design technique you’d like to explore in depth, Carla is here to guide you and provide her undivided attention.
Private instruction is available for solo students, although semi-private classes for groups of two or three can easily be arranged, if you have a friend or colleague who’s eager to learn as well.
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.