The Basics of Cake Decorating

When it comes to appetite, how something looks is very important. We are more likely to eat something that looks appealing rather than something that, well in simple terms, is ugly. It is because of this reason that cake decorating is such a big deal.

Cake decorating can be a ton of fun! So here are some easy tips and tricks for decorating your next cake.

The first thing to do before starting any cake is to make sure you have the proper tools needed.

Here are the 6 basic tools needed when doing any cake decorating project.

1. Sturdy serrated knife (far left) to cut cakes and ensure a clean cut.

2. Large and small offset spatulas (left). Their angled blades make precise frosting easy.
3. Basic teaspoon and table knife (top) can stand in for more specialized tools.
4. Canvas or disposable plastic pastry bag with couplers and tips in assorted sizes (middle) is a must-have for piping dots, lines, and swirls.
5. Rubber spatula (right) to stir batter.
6. Long, thin bamboo skewers (bottom) can be used to stabilize cake layers, if necessary.

If you do not have a pastry bag try using a freezer-weight ziplock plastic bag in place of a traditional pastry bag. Cut a small hole in one of the bag's bottom corners, then fit with a coupler and tip, fill halfway with icing, and seal.

 

Teaspoon Finish on Cake Frosting

Move a teaspoon through the icing to create S-shape swirls.
If you make a mistake, simply smooth the frosting out and start over again.

Colored Sugar Cakes

To create the shimmering flower design, sprinkle colored sanding sugar evenly over a ready-made stencil with a small spoon. Refrigerate the cake beforehand so the stencil pulls cleanly away from the frosting.

Polka Dot Cake

For neatly piped dots, hold the pastry bag in both hands; keep the tip just above the cake's surface, at a slight angle. Gently squeeze out icing, release, and pull back. Frosting dots will also help to hide smudged edges or spotty icing; start with the large ones.

Pre-colored Fondant Shapes

Make cupcake toppers in minutes with pre-colored fondant. Roll into thin sheets on parchment paper; create shapes with cookie cutters or a knife. Seal leftovers tightly in plastic wrap, as fondant dries out quickly when exposed to air. 

These are just a limited few of the thousands of decorating ideas out there. To explore more easy ideas I invite you to check this out. Click Here!

If you have previous experience with cake decorating you should check out this book. It has all the latest cake design ideas. Click Here!

Don't get me wrong, cake is delicious on its own but adding that extra decoration is what makes it really appealing to the people going to eat it. So try out these tips, I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the outcome.