Cake decorating is more than just a hobby, it is an art form. It takes a blank canvas and turns it into a story of love, celebrations or milestones.
The basics of cake decorating are easy to master. All you need are a few basic tools such as a cake turntable, cardboard cake rounds and 레터링케이크 an offset spatula.
Techniques
The techniques cake decorators use to embellish cakes, cupcakes and other baked goods can vary widely. Some are complex, while others are simple enough for amateur bakers to master. The most basic decoration techniques include frosting, piping and sculpting. Other methods include modeling chocolate to create edible molded characters and flowers, as well as applying colorful fondant cut-outs.
Many cake decorating styles have specific aesthetic themes, such as a modern take on geometric patterns with crisp lines and circles or the classic ombre effect of graduating from light to dark shades on tops and borders. Incorporating metallic elements like gold leaf, edible glitter and shimmering icing can add a sophisticated touch to any dessert.
Piped icing designs, which can include messages or patterns like stars and dots, are popular cake toppings. To do this, cake decorators fill a pastry bag with icing and then select the right tip to match their desired pattern. It is helpful to practice on a piece of waxed paper or marble cutting board before using the piping technique on a cake.
A cake decorator must be organized in order to keep their work area clean, track inventory and supplies and manage deadlines for custom or regular orders. They must also have good attention to detail, which helps them ensure that all of their decorations are precise and consistent. In addition to these technical skills, cake decorators need a great deal of creativity to come up with stunning designs that complement their cakes’ flavors and shapes.
Materials
A cake decorating kit needs to include a variety of supplies to enable you to create a range of different decorative techniques. You will need basic items like spatulas, icing smoothers and piping bags along with specialist items such as impression mats, turntables and Styrofoam cake dummies in various shapes.
An airbrush is a useful tool to help you achieve a professional finish to your cakes. It can be used to apply fine detailed outlines to buttercream flowers or more elaborate textures and patterns to fondant surfaces. It can also be used to highlight contours on carved 3D cakes.
Plastic wrap (or cling film or Glad wrap) is a handy tool to keep on hand as it can be used for many purposes including covering a freshly made cake, giving a sheen to tempered chocolate and making thin chocolate bands that circle cakes. It can also be used to further emphasize the contours of a finished cake by pressing into fondant before trimming it.
A set of pastry bags are essential to have in your kit for filling and covering cakes. Invest in a large size that is easy to clean and disposable for maximum convenience. You will also need a basic set of frosting tips that are easy to wash and store.
A good quality food coloring set is a must. Choose a water-based dye that is odourless, tasteless and highly concentrated for vibrant icing colours. It is also a great idea to invest in a colour combination chart so you can mix up your own unique shades.
Tools
When it comes to cake decorating, the right tools can make all the difference. The basics include a turntable for spinning your cakes, an offset spatula and a set of piping bags and tips to create frosting swirls and pretty icing details like rosettes or shell borders.
For more advanced decorations, hand tools designed specifically for fondant and gum paste can take your work to the next level. They help shape, texturize and mold both cake and sugar models. They also come in a variety of sizes, making it easier to get detailed shapes without breaking off bits of your hard-earned creation.
Another option is a fondant extruder, which is used to make designs that are difficult or time-consuming to shape by hand, including grass, lattice and ribbons. A basic version just has a couple of discs that produce the most common shapes, but you can buy more advanced models with different shaped heads to create unique effects like flower petals and leaves.
For the best results, look for tools that are made of durable, dishwasher-safe materials. You can find affordable options at most home goods stores or online, but you can also check out garage sales, Facebook marketplace and flea markets to score gently-used or unused tools for less. When shopping for affordable tools, quality shouldn’t be sacrificed; do your research and read reviews to ensure the products you purchase will perform well and last.
Tips
It’s easy to jump in with both feet and start decorating right away, but a little planning will help ensure that your cake turns out well. Before you get started, make sure you have the best cake pan for the job and that it’s prepped (coated with shortening or flour, lined with parchment, greased and sifted). If you want to do a two-tier cake, make sure you bake both layers at the same time and use the same size of pan.
It’s also important to choose a good frosting. Many people assume that store-bought icing is easier to work with, but check the label — a lot of preservatives and additives go into those cans of frosting. And don’t forget that homemade buttercream is silkier and smoother, with a more natural color.
If you’re new to piping, keep it simple at first. A few practice swirls on a sheet of waxed paper will help you get the hang of it. And be sure to select a piping tip that matches the style of decoration you’re going for. For example, a star tip for a shell border or a small round tip to write on top of the cake.
And remember to crumb coat and chill your cake before you decorate — that extra layer of frosting helps to catch any stray crumbs and keeps your work surface clean while you’re working. You can also slip a piece of waxed paper underneath the cake to protect your plate or turntable stand.