Bake 4 round cakes in the following sizes: 10-inch, 9-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inches.

Cut a hole out of the center of each of the cakes. The hole should be slightly larger than the Barbie doll's hips.

Place some buttercream on a 10-inch cake board then set the 10-inch cake on top. If you want to tort the cakes, do that now. (see notes)

Spread cake filling or buttercream on top of the 10-inch cake then top it with the 9-inch cake. Repeat the process with the 8-inch cake and the 6-inch cake. Place the stacked cakes into the freezer for about an hour. This will firm the cake up a bit and make it easier to carve. When you take the cake out of the freezer, place it on a larger cake drum that you will use to serve the cake.

Use a serrated knife to slice down the outside edges of the cake, smoothing the edges into a bell shape. Save the cake scraps in a bowl and mix them with a little buttercream until it looks like a thick paste. You will use this in the next step.

Cover the Barbie dolls legs with plastic wrap and place her in the center of the cake. Spread the cake with buttercream, getting it as smooth as possible. Use the mixture of cake scraps to fill in the space at the top of the cake and the dolls waistline.

Have at least 3 colors of fondant ready. Roll out some fondant into a thin sheet and drape it over the cake. Work with small sections of fondant to make it easier to work with. Fold the fondant to make it look like pleated fabric. Drape a second layer of fondant over the first to give the skirt a more dimensional look. Use a paintbrush dipped in water to dab the fondant with water. A small amount of water will help the fondant stick to itself but don't use too much water or the fondant will melt.

Spread a small amount of buttercream on the bodice of the Barbie doll then drape some fondant on her to create a top.

Cut a contrasting color of fondant and wrap it around the first layer of the skirt. Make it shorter than the first skirt and tuck the ends under to give it a plump "folded fabric" look.

Cut a contrasting color of fondant into a rectangle and fold it into pleats. Drape the pleated fondant across the shoulders of the Barbie doll. Dab some water on the ends so it will stick to the Barbie's top. Use the blunt end of the paintbrush to push the fondant into her bust line.

Cut a narrow strip of fondant and roll it up, making 3 small "roses". Place the roses along the seam of the sash. (Alternatively, you could put some sugar pearls on the seam)

Cut another narrow strip of fondant to wrap around the waist line of the doll. Place some sugar pearls along the seams of the waistline.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of Pearl luster dust with 1/2 teaspoon of vodka or clear lemon extract. Use a paintbrush to brush the luster dust onto the dress.

Press any leftover fondant into a silicone flower mold and make fast fondant flowers to decorate the cake board and/or the dress.