Cake Decorating Techniques

If you have only just discovered this rewarding hobby, practicing the basic cake decorating techniques will build the foundation for more ambitious creations later on.

First and foremost, don't get discouraged! You shouldn't judge your abilities by your first few cakes. Just as riding a bicycle is awkward in the beginning, practice makes it effortless pleasure.

It will take some time for your hand to become steadier, to learn to maintain even pressure on the pastry bag, and to achieve level looking cakes.

There are some strategies for making it easier. If you haven't already done so, I would recommend that you make yourself a batch of practice icing to get the feel for the common cake decorating techniques.

You can pipe directly on a cookie pan and then just scrape it off to reuse. Practice icing will keep for months in an airtight container.

Practice Icing:


Place shortening in the bowl of a mixer. Beat until softened. Add confectioner's sugar, then water. (Use 2 Tbsp. for borders and flowers, 3 Tbsp. for lines and stringwork). Beat on medium speed until creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl, when necessary.

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Master the simple cake decorating instructions on a pan before trying them on the cake. It's tempting to use every technique you know on the same cake, but selecting a few and keeping it simple will give you better results. You wouldn't want the cake to look too busy.

 If you are writing on the cake, do that first, so you leave yourself enough room. It's easy to get carried away with decorations and then you'll find yourself lacking the space to fit the message.

Many mistakes can be hidden with a little creativity. If you can easily lift the icing with a knife, do so. Sometimes, fixing a mistake will disturb other decorations. When that happens, an extra flower or leaf can mask an imperfection.

If you have trouble getting the surface of your cake smooth, cornelli lace is an elegant cake decorating technique that can salvage many flaws. The cake is never "ruined"...there's always a way to rescue it. So, be patient and you will get better and faster which each cake. Even professionally decorated cakes have their imperfections.

Plan your cake out on paper first to give yourself a guide to follow. If the cake is large, choose decorations in proportion. Likewise, if your cake is smaller, decorate with smaller tips and simple designs.

Cake Decorating Techniques:

Beginners Start Here:
Cake Essentials - baking tips for better cake decorating results
Cake Boards - how to use and prepare them.
Specialty Birthday Cake Toppers - making your own.
Filigree Work & Cornelli Lace
How to Make Icing Roses
Fondant Bow Directions
Gum Paste Hydrangeas

Coming soon...
Patterns
Garrett Frills
Fondant Ruffles
How to Make Pansies
Food Coloring Chart
How to Make Lilies

Another way to decorate your cake is to buy chocolate candy molds and create adorable chocolates in almost any color to match your cake theme and design.

This list will continually grow to meet all your needs for cake decorating techniques. Subscribe to our e-zine to stay informed of new features.  .

See tips from other cake decorators. 

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