Where I always talk about baking being a science, here is where science meets art! Cake decorating is the art of making a cake look as good as we make it taste! Whether you're baking a cake for a special occasion or just making a few cupcakes for fun, decorating can take your dessert to the next level. In this beginner's guide, we will show you some basic techniques, essential tools, and tips for successful cake decorating.
Basic Techniques
Preparing the cake
Before you can start decorating your cake, you need to prepare it. Even if you are meticulous in baking, no cake comes out of the oven level. The first thing to do is to level your cake. There are plenty of products out there which will make sure you cute a straight line, but in a pinch a bread knife works. Then cool your cake before you start adding any frosting or decorations. This step ensures your frosting and decorations don’t melt, as you will likely be working with fats and sugars which tend to melt at temperatures just higher than room temperature. You may also trim the edges of your cake to make it look neater, but if it comes out of the pan easily you can skip this.
Applying frosting
Frosting is the base of most cake decorations. Use a spatula to apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake, making sure it's smooth and even. This is called a crumb coat. Once the crumb coat has dried, you can apply a thicker layer of frosting for the final decoration.
Piping
In order to pipe your frosting you will need a piping bag and piping tips. Each tip has a unique design which will aid you in creating different art work. While some make beautiful roses, others make grass, and some are meant to just pump out picturesque puffs of icing. Start with a simple design, such as dots or swirls, and practice until you feel comfortable with more complex designs. Make sure to use the right consistency of frosting for your piping. The tougher the frosting, the stronger your bag needs to be! If you have to squeeze hard to get frosting out, you might want to thin up the frosting slightly.
Using fondant
Fondant is a type of sugar paste that can be rolled out and used to cover a cake or create shapes and decorations. Knead the fondant until it's soft and pliable, then roll it out to the desired thickness. You can use cutters in different shapes to add design or simply flatten it out and lay it on the cake to create a seamless top layer to design on.
Essential Tools
Turntable
A turntable is a rotating stand with a fixed base that allows you to easily access all sides of the cake while decorating without having to move around the cake. It makes decorating faster and more efficient.
Spatulas
Spatulas are essential for applying frosting to the cake. Use a larger spatula for applying the crumb coat and a smaller one for the final decoration. These spatulas are designed differently than other kitchen spatulas and come either straight or off-set. Straight is good for decorating large flat areas while off-set can make those sides look nice while blending into the top seamlessly
Piping bags and tips
Piping bags and tips are used for creating designs on the cake. The bags can be filled with frosting or other decorations, and the tips come in different shapes and sizes for different designs.
Rolling pin
A rolling pin is used for rolling out fondant or other types of sugar paste. Make sure to use a non-stick rolling pin to prevent the fondant from sticking. For beginners, I suggest using rolling pins with guides, as this will ensure that no matter how much pressure you put there won’t be any uneven spots.
Tips for Successful Cake Decorating
Practice makes perfect
Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out perfectly. Cake decorating takes practice, so keep at it and don't give up.
Start with simple designs
Don't try to create complex designs right away. Start with simple designs and work your way up as you get more comfortable.
Take your time
Decorating a cake can be time-consuming, so make sure to give yourself enough time to complete the decoration without feeling rushed.
Cake Decorating Ideas for Beginners
Simple buttercream designs
Use a piping bag and tip to create simple designs, such as dots, swirls, or rosettes, on the cake. You can also use a spatula to create a textured effect on the frosting.
Fondant cutouts and shapes
Use cookie cutters or a knife to cut out shapes from rolled fondant. You can then place the shapes on the cake or create a 3D design.
Piped designs
Piping is to cake decorating what calligraphy is to writing. Sure, you can go simple and it will work, but the more you work on this skill the higher you will elevate the designs of your cakes. You can make simple puffs of buttercream or you can make delicious gardens of flowers that make your cake look more like art than food.
Cake decorating is intimidating at first, but with some basic techniques, essential tools, and a little bit of practice, anyone can create beautiful and delicious cakes. I wish I was bold enough to take photos of my first decoration, it really is amazing how much growth happens every time you decorate. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your decorations and don’t beat yourself up if it doesn’t come out exactly like you want. Happy decorating!