When you think of decorating a cake, it can be a bit intimidating at first. There is no rule book for the perfect cake decoration, and every baker has their style and technique. But some helpful tricks can make your end product look like you bought it from a bakery rather than made it yourself. Here are some tips to help you decorate a cake like a pro:
Decide on the type of finish you want for your cake
There are several different types of finishes professional bakers use when they're frosting and decorating cakes. The most common finishes are classic, which is achieved by smoothing out the buttercream.Buttercream is swirled on top to create a pattern; and Italian, which uses a pastry bag fitted with a star tip to pipe icing onto the cake in a variety of patterns.
Start with the cake board
Before you start frosting your cake, it's important to have a sturdy base for it. That's why professional bakers always start by placing their cake on a cake board. A cake board is simply a piece of cardboard that is covered in foil or parchment paper. It helps keep the cake stable and gives you a surface to work on when you're decorating.
Apply a thin layer of frosting to the cake
This is called the crumb coat, and it is an important step in ensuring that your cake will have a smooth finish. It also prevents any loose crumbs from getting into your final frosting layer and spoiling the look of it.
Finish off with a second coat of frosting
Once you have applied your crumb coat, put some more frosting on top and spread it out as evenly as possible. You can use a bench scraper or icing spatula for this step to get an even layer of buttercream. Sometimes you might have some bald spots after applying the first layer of frosting, so feel free to fill those in using either leftover buttercream or more whipped cream if you want to keep things light.
Add decoration according to your chosen technique
Now that your cake is fully iced, it is time to start decorating. If you are using a classic finish, you might want to pipe some stars or flowers around the edge of the cake. For a French finish, you could use a star tip to pipe buttercream into the center of the cake and then swirl it outwards. To get an Italian finish, try piping icing in different patterns.
Decorating a cake can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a little daunting for those who have never attempted it before. No matter what type of finish you choose, have fun with it and be creative! There are endless possibilities for cake decoration, so experiment with different techniques and flavors until you find something that you love. Happy baking!
To learn more about the latest trends in kitchen appliances and amazing cooking techniques, visit the Cooking All The Time website.
