Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First, yes, this version is exactly like the regular Cricut Cake $399 version sold here and other websites. The only difference is the model is white instead of red, and it comes with one of the Martha cartridges instead of the basic Cricut cartridges. And this is also the same as the Cricut Expression machine (which is marketed for scrap booking), only it's food safe and has protective coverings for it's electric bits and buttons.
Second, I would not suggest this to inexperienced decorators or people that make only the occasional cake. The investment does not seem worth it to me, but to each their own.
Third, there is a learning curve to it, it cannot cut straight fondant (nor was it advertised that it can cut fondant). You have to mix your fondant with gumpaste or make your own gumpaste by adding tylose powder to your fondant, and you have to let it rest on the mat and dry out for 30 or so minutes before you can run it through the machine. Otherwise it will not work and you'll be super frustrated. The icing sheets that are sold for the machine taste like paste. Really nasty.
I got mine and have been practicing with it and once I got the hang of it, I love what it's able to do. There is software available (not through Cricut) that you can scan in or pick any image online and this machine will cut it. That alone is awesomeness. There are also a ton of cartridges out there, since this will work with any Cricut cartridge. Look on ebay.
TIP: I noticed that I get the occasional blade drag cut on the top of my gumpaste, but noticed the side touching the mat almost always has a perfect cut. By using the "flip" feature (which will cut a mirror image of your design) I insure that the side of my design that is visable always as a perfect, sharp cut.
You can cut paper with this too, you just need a different blade (the deep cutting one) and the paper mat (although I have yet to try it). You run your own risk of contaminating your machine.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Martha Stewart Crafts Edition of the Cricut Cake Electronic Cutting System
The Martha Stewart Crafts edition of the Cricut Cake Electronic Cutting System is specifically designed for decorating professional-looking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and confections in no time at all. machine cuts gum paste, fondant, frosting sheets, and much more. Just choose a design and a size and press cut for beautiful, precise shapes every time. The machine comes with the Martha Stewart Crafts All Occasions Cake Art Cartridge . This cartridge-based system does not require a personal computer and allows you to cut thousands of intricate and detailed characters as small as 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) and as large as 23.5 inches (59.69 centimeters) with just the touch of a button. Cricut Cake works with material up to 12 x 12 inches (30.48 by 30.48 centimeters) and 12 by 24 inches (30.48 by 60.96 centimeters), significantly expanding your creative capabilities. This impressive machine is also compatible with all of the existing Cricut cartridges. Creative Features built into every Cricut cartridge allow you to add special effects to characters. There are literally thousands of custom combinations you can use to make each project uniquely your own.
