Ready to create a little culinary MAGIC?
Because THAT’S the goal for participants in the Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie, the Disney owned-and-operated bakery in Disney Springs. From the get-go (it has been open for just over a year), Amorette’s Patisserie has been known for offering a feast for the eye as well as the palate, creating miniature works of art in the form of pastries, cookies, and cakes.
Guests visiting Amorette’s have also spied Character Dome Cakes among the treats. These signature creations feature the associated colors and costume features of beloved characters like Goofy, Donald, Minnie, and Pluto. But perhaps none are as recognizable as the Main Mouse himself: Mickey!
In fact, registered participants in the Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie get to learn how to decorate a Mickey Mouse Dome Cake of their very own in a hands-on, small group setting limited to twelve guests. And we’d like to share with you our experience at the class today!
Amorette’s Patisserie
The Cake Decorating Experience
The 90-minute class started bright and early at 9:00 am in the Amorette’s Patisserie show kitchen. (The store itself doesn’t typically open until 11:00 am or 12:00 noon each day, so the class takes place prior to opening.)
Amorette’s Patisserie
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included with the class price, and we were asked to place our drink request upon entering, choosing from coffee (hot or cold brew), hot tea, a latte or cappuccino, orange juice, milk, a mimosa, or a bellini. Here’s my gorgeous Mimosa!
Mimosa
Next, we all made our way to the tables and chairs, set up in a semi circle to observe the instructors at the table in the front.
Class setup
Instructors
Upon each table were name cards, gloves, a cake spinner, and painting brushes, along with some of the edible components we’d later be placing on the cakes.
Table setup
These included Mickey’s ears, buttons, and tail (made of chocolate and fondant).
Decorating pieces
We also had a few bites of the Signature Petite Cake to enjoy with a bit of Italian buttercream for dipping.
Signature Petite Cake Sample
Sample Cake and Buttercream Icing
Freshly warmed washcloths completed the setup.
Table setup
After settling in, our Pastry Chef instructors – Misha and Mady – introduced themselves, and began by sharing some interesting information with us regarding the process of creating cakes at Amorette’s.
Mady and Misha
Did you know that creating a dome cake at Amorette’s is a THREE DAY process? Each cake is baked separately to make the layers very precise and intentional. Icing is applied to cakes while they’re still frozen, so the pastry chefs need to work very quickly.
While the decorating process itself is intense, personal anecdotes from Misha and Mady put us at ease when it came to the thought of trying the cake decorating process for ourselves (there may have even been a few cake-dropping tales shared 😉 !)
Mady and Misha
Having learned that even these talented pastry chefs make a mistake now and then, I was a little less nervous and more comfortable as we began the Step By Step cake decorating process with our own hands under Misha and Mady’s instruction!
Step by Step Process
Step One
We each received our own dome cake to decorate as additional Cast Members joined in to assist those of us in the class as well.
Dome Cake
Step Two
We received the bright Red Mirror Glaze for Mickey’s base (made from gelatin, chocolate, and condensed milk).
Red Mirror Glaze
Our instructors showed us how to pour it over the cake to cover completely.
Covered Cake
After this step, the cakes were removed to be refrigerated.
Step Three
We painted Mickey’s two signature buttons in yellow.
Yellow Bowl and Brush
Buttons in Progress
Step Four
We then used the black coloring to paint Mickey’s familiar ears.
Mickey’s ear pre-color
These are placed on sticks for easy insertion into the cake.
Painting Mickey’s ear
Mickey’s Complete Ear
Step Five
Time to paint Mickey’s tail, likewise!
Mickey’s Tail
Step Six
Buttons, ears, and tail are set aside to dry slightly.
Drying Decorative Pieces
Step Seven
Our cakes were brought back to us for another layer of mirror glaze (they received three layers in total).
More Red Mirror Glaze
Another layer of glaze on cake
The cakes then needed some more refrigeration time, so while we waited we were treated to some Hot Chocolate Ganache!
Hot Chocolate Ganache
Step Eight
Our cakes came out once more, and we then transferred them VERY CAREFULLY to their paper platters.
Transfer of the Cake
And may I say… “WHEW!”
Safely Transferred Cake
Step Nine
We then rolled fondant along the base using the roll and the cake spinner.
Rolled Fondant
Applying Fondant Roll
Fondant Roll Applied
Step Ten
Time to insert those ears and Mickey’s tail!
Almost Mickey
Step Eleven
And using a very tiny amount of water, we attached the two yellow buttons as well.
MICKEY CAKE!!!
(I’d like to insert an optional step, and that’s… BASK IN THE GLORY!!!)
Step Twelve
We were then individually invited to the instructor’s table to write our names (or any name we wanted) onto the back of the cakes with yellow icing.
Ready for the Finishing Touch
If this makes you a wee bit nervous, the Pastry Chefs are happy to write yours for you 🙂 .
DFB MICKEY MASTERPIECE
Step Thirteen
All of our cakes were set in display cases to dry completely, and the Pastry Chefs welcomed any questions during this time.
Cakes Set To Dry
Step Fourteen
Upon drying, our cakes were packaged, bagged up, and we were all on our way with our very own creation!
Packaged Mickey Cake… ready for Safe Transport!
So, you do indeed get to have your cake AND EAT IT, TOO, as the saying goes! By the way, if you have plans to hit up the parks or more of Disney Springs right after the class, no worries. Amorette’s will hold your cake creation for pickup until later in the day.
Before we wrap, here are a few more details!
Class Information
The price of the Cake Decorating Experience is $129 (plus tax). The cost covers up to 2 guests decorating one cake (again, class size is limited to twelve). As a point of reference, full size dome character cakes sell for $55.00. Currently, the class is available for booking on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings via the Disney World website through August 25th. However, the experience was already extended once beyond its initial Spring run, so there is reason to hope it may be offered again in the future.
While transportation from the Resorts to Disney Springs typically does not start until later in the morning, it can be provided at 8:00 am for class participants staying in a Disney Resort to ensure guests will be in time for the 9:00 am start.
Again, interested guests can book the experience online via the Disney World website.
Overall
At the current price tag, the Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie is definitely a splurge for a special occasion (our class included a couple on their honeymoon as well as a mother decorating a cake for her daughter’s birthday, which was awesome). That said, it is certainly a memorable and unique experience. The kind attention and helpfulness from all of the Cast Members was above and beyond – they definitely made an effort to make sure each of us had a great time. And thanks to the small class size, things never felt rushed.
Finally, walking away with my very own Amorette’s creation that I personally decorated gave this experience something unlike anything else at Disney World. I felt pretty darn proud of my beautiful cake, if I do say so myself! For any hopeful culinary masters on the rise, the Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie can be a unique, fun, and tasty mini adventure within your Disney World vacation!
Would you like to participate in the Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s? Please let us know with a comment!
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I would love to do that as I used to do cake decorating, but at that price, I think I’d rather use the money for the Aqua Seas Tour or the Safari.
I have tried to get in every class from day 1. I have tried to sign up for e mail and never get any responce. Please help!!!
Hopefully this becomes a permanent thing as my sister and l would love to do it next year when we come
I’d love to do this. I’m a cake decorator, but would love to do this with my daughter.
I attended the cake decorating classes 2 weeks ago, and thought it was one of the most magical Disney experiences I’ve ever had. Yes, the price is steep – but I really think they made it worth the value (the samples, the $55 cake, 2 instructors, and 2 helpers). The instructors shared with us that they are working on classes to learn how to make some of the other Amorette’s items, I hope that’s the case, because I’d be happy to keep signing up for more of these experiences.
I took this class for my 50th birthday. I have to say the instructors were wonderful. I am a cake decorator forPublix so it was really neat seeing how Disney does things. The class was very informative and I would definitely take the class again and bring my mom next time. I will even tell my fellow cake decorators at Publix that they need to take this class.
I check every day to see if it is available for an upcoming trip! Sad that often Disney discontinues unique events such as this, even when they are well attended.
I would love to take this class. I attempted to sign up for this for our trip to Disney in June but it was not available. Very sad we could not get into it.
I would love to!
I would love to attend a class and have tried booking one since day 1 and there always full…please help
My son and I did it and we loved it!!! Well worth the money. The cake was delicious!
My sister and I attended this class back in June, and had a great time. Bottomless beverages and the cake to take with us made it worth the cost. One thing to note is that the transportation that is supposedly provided was a complete disaster. We asked at Bay Lake Tower (where we were staying) and again at the Contemporary front desk about where to get the transportation, and nobody at either front desk (managers included) had any idea about it, since Disney Springs buses don’t start until 9:30 a.m. They actually told us that we were the first people to ever ask about it, even thought it had been going on for several months by that time. At one point, we were told to go to Epcot and then take a bus to Disney Springs, but that is impossible at that time of the morning. Then we were told to just take Uber (this was before the Minnie vans started), which we refused to do because we had supposedly already paid for the transportation with the class fee. Finally, after much drama, they gave us a taxi voucher to use to get there in time. So, just be prepared for the transportation not to be as easy as it seems, and make sure you have arrangements made the day before. Overall it was a great experience though, and we would definitely do it again.
I love cake decorating and would love to attend the class but every time I’ve tried they are already full or are not happening when we are over in Orlando. Attended a class at the Epcot International Festival of Arts back in January and signed up to find out more but never got any emails.
My friend Reuben is in the background of several of your photos. (He’s the young Filipino man concentratedly decorating pastries.) When I sent him this link, he said he remembered your group because of how talkative you were. He says lots of groups decorate their cakes in total silence, but you all seemed to be really enjoying yourselves and making the most of the experience. Thanks for sharing this review, and thanks for putting so much positivity out there! It’s what Disney is all about!
We’d love to do this on our next trip to Disney World next month, hopefully they will extend it at least through the end of September.
I’ll be in Orlando from October 12 until 28! There is a chance to attend to your bakery class?
Cintia — You can call Amorette’s directly to see if they’ll be offering a class during your visit. Their number is (407) 934-3500.
I have been trying for months to book a date for my September 2017 visit to Disney. The Disney website is not showing dates past August 2017. Despite hourly visits to the web site and multiple calls to every customer service number listed I have not been able to get any info on future dates. This is a wonderful opportunity I would hate to miss out on. Any suggestions for booking in September?
Heather, I’d also like to book this for my WDW Vacation in September. However, the cake decorating experience is scheduled to end Saturday, August 25, 2017. This was originally was going away in May, but due to popularity was extended to August 25th. I’m hoping that they will extend it through September. In an earlier post someone suggested calling Amorette’s directly and posted their phone number.
I am also eager to schedule this activity. I have called Amorette’s directly and disney dining reservations has offered no help. They may extend the classes, but no one will say for sure. Anyone have other ideas?
I’m anxious to book this for several members of our family reunion group in October 2017
It looks like they are going to extend it starting September 17th and scheduled every Sunday – Thursday thru December 21st. Source…if you go to try to select it on the Disney website, it shows those dates as available. However, they aren’t showing up yet when you try to schedule it, but the same thing happened when they extended it the first time. They showed up as being available, then a couple days later you were actually able to schedule. My guess is you will be able to actually schedule in a day or two (maybe September 1st).
Just booked this today for our trip in September!
Chad — Thanks so much for the update!
You’re welcome! I was able to book for my September trip this morning, so it looks like those dates are now live!
I love the Internet! Booked the class! so exited!!!
Was able to book a date this morning for our mid-September vacation. So EXCITED!!
We were signed up for this experience on our last trip. I am so glad I read Lori’s review concerning transportation. I called my Resort direct before arriving they had no clue about this, I called transportation again not sure what this was all about. I was transferred to dispatch who assured me transportation would be there at the resort for the class. I reconfirmed when we checked into the resort, they again had no clue about this class or transportation. The issue was that transportation didn’t start until one hour before DS opened but the class was at 8:45am. After many calls with different answers, we were too frustrated and ended up cancelling the class…..just make sure you get a straight answer or better yet drive yourself if you can.
Do you get to choose between the chocolate & lemon or are they all the same flavor?
Lea,
I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m sure you could call them directly to ask. One thing I did notice when booking, though, is that they offer different cakes to decorate on different days of the week: for example, on Sundays and Thursdays, they offered the classic Mickey design. On some other days, they offer decorating of a ” seasonal cake “
am trying to book for dec 3 thru 10–anyone successful for booking at that time?
Can this only be booked for 3 people would love to do it for my husband for an anniversary present but we will have our 14 yr old daughter with us too
Each reservation is for two people, I would assume if you have a group of three you make a reservation for four people. Each two person group has a station where they decorate one cake. You’ll pay a little extra for the privilege, but I would think it’s worth it.
I took this class on October 10th. It is a fun class however I wish they had given out a recipe or how to do this at home with easier techniques. I think I can figure out how to make the cake and ice it the way I want to, but the icing is a bit trickier. It would have been nice to have some sort of handout with the information provided like the name of the paint they used to color the tail and ears and buttons. Or even the recipe for that delicious icing!!
I would love to take this class…is it still offered?
Joni, it’s still listed on DisneyWorld.com, but it’s hard to find an available date/time. Your best bet is probably to call WDW Reservations and ask them to pinpoint availability for you.
I successfully booked this class for my entire wedding party with some thoughtful planning. I’m pretty sure that the cake classes are popular and will be continued. I think they release multiple months at a time, in a block. To ensure availability on my date, I set up an alert using the website https://visualping.io For the Cake decorating class website https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/amorettes-patisserie-cake-decorating-experience/
I highlighted the area of text with the details of the class. At the time that I did this monitoring, they had a specific statement about the dates ending in December. I knew that if they updated this text, they likely were going to open the reservation spots within a few days after that. I was right. The day after the text updated, the reservations opened. The description of the class now is not as specific as it used to be so this may not be a reliable method. Honestly, the reservations line is not very helpful. They don’t know anything about upcoming reservation availability until the block is released. The bakery itself cannot discuss it with you either. Either be consistent with checking on the days that you were interested in ( if they are already fall, keep checking case someone cancels). I think they’re open through July now, so I would guess around April or so they will open the next block ( probably for the next 4 to 6 month period). The class capacity is 14, but each individual reservation will only accommodate two people. If you were looking for a larger group, you can either do this online right when they become available,A reservation for each two-person group, or at that point work with an operator to do it more efficiently.
I just booked this last night as a surprise for my sister’s birthday! She decorates cakes and cookies from home. She is super excited to do this! She hasn’t been to Disney in 26 years. I think this will be the icing on her cake!
My daughter and I are taking a trip to Disney, just the two of us for Mother’s Day 2020. Do you know when they will be opening up the schedule for May?
Lynnette, no idea. You can try calling Amorette’s to see if they have info.
Is it customary to tip the instructors?
For anyone that’s done this, I’ll be in an ECV but will also have access to a wheelchair. Can I park the ECV outside the bakery and is the class itself wheelchair accessible? TIA! ☺️