Let’s face it. Everybody wants to turn their cake into a spectacular masterpiece. But this can be challenging particularly if one isn’t practiced in how to decorate a cake.
However, decorating a cake can be very simple. Here are a couple of easy cake decorating tips that will walk you through how to decorate a cake.
1. Select the right type of cake for the occasion and person
The type of cake says a lot about the occasion. Fruit cake is very traditional for Christmas, but a lot of children won’t eat it, so probably not the best choice for a child’s birthday party.
Sponge cakes are very light and wont take a lot of weight in icing – a very thin light icing is best.
A basic butter cake is a good choice to practice on.
2. Decide on your design
This is probably the hardest step – designing your cake decoration. Depending upon the occasion it may be very simple, with just a few sprinkles. For a child’s birthday you might want something a bit more complex like a superhero face, teddy bear, or castle.
Everyday items such as biscuits and lollies can be used for walls and wheels. Jelly makes a great ‘water’ and coconut can double as snow.
Be creative in working out how to achieve your look.
3. Visit your local grocery store
There are many readymade items at your local supermarket that can help you decorate your cake quickly and easily.
So take the time to browse the cake decorating section – near the baking goods. There are many readymade items including different colour and types of icing, 100 & 1000s sprinkles, star shaped and dinosaur shaped sprinkles – in various colours, cachous (shiny edible balls), icing figurines and even edible glitter gel for writing on the cake.
Next browse the utensil aisle. Here you will find different sorts of cake tins (round, loaf, deep ring, heart, teddy bear, cupcake, muffins and mini-muffin trays just to name a few) in the utensil aisle, which add quick and easy interest to your cake decorating.
And lastly, in the party supplies will be candles and other party favors you could use to suit your theme.
4. Decide on the type of icing to decorate your cake
After deciding what type of cake you will bake (or buy), and your theme, it is time to choose the right type of icing and frosting techniques to use when decorating your cake. Don’t choose a difficult or complex icing or frosting technique for decorating your first cake.
Your cake decorating design will also influence the type of icing you will need.
Vienna or butter cream – easy to make with powdered sugar, butter and water, you can use this frosting if you are looking for a frosting that fills gaps and also covers up all cake bumps. It has a similar appearance to a whipped cream and it can be finished in peaks or smoothed down. It is easy to flavor and color. Available in typical flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and lemon. You can then decorate with piped icing over the top, or various sprinkles etc.
Fluffy frosting– Similar to butter cream, this frosting has egg whites for gloss and lightness. It is created by beating in a blender or an electric mixer. The frosting must be used on the day you plan to serve your cake owing to the fact that it becomes a little crisp after sometimes and also loses its gloss.
Sugar paste– it can be purchased ready-to use from cake decorating suppliers or your supermarket. It can be made at home, but is hard to make a pure white, and will not keep as long as a commercial product. This icing will harden, so it is great for larger decorations that stand up.
Royal icing – usually used on wedding cakes and Christmas cakes, it is very heavy & solid. Usually rolled out and placed over the cake. Decorations can be cut out of it and molded into different shapes (eg flowers).
Chocolate glaze or ganache – usually made with melted chocolate and cream, or condensed milk and poured over the cake to drip down the sides.
Cream Cheese frosting – often used on carrot cakes leaving a whipped surface
5. Plan your cake decoration
Usually the cake is given a basic overall coat of icing and decorations are placed on top. If you need more than one color at this stage, take care to let each set before placing the next to prevent bleeding.
Make any decorative pieces early so they have time to set.
Make a paper model / cutout to see how it will all fit together.
Trim biscuits or lollies to size in advance, ready to put together.
Follow these simple cake decorating steps to make your masterpiece you will save time and stress.
