History of Cake Decorating

What is the best part of any cake? Did you say the icing? If you did, than it might not surprise you to know that you can make a cake into something special and something unique by how you choose to decorate it.

Many people fear that they can't decorate a cake because they aren't creative enough to do it. This doesn't necessarily have to be true. You can buy aids to help you (such as icing bags with special tips) and you can actually hide mistakes that you do make pretty easily.

First, when it comes to decorating a cake you should allow the cake to cool. If the cake is still too hot from the oven, the obvious will happen. The icing will melt. Actually, it is better to wait a day, if you can, before you start your decorating process. You should also put the cake in an air tight container, once it has cooled from baking. The container will help keep the cake fresh and fresh cake is always better than stale.

Relax, if your cake didn't come out of the oven completely smooth on top. There is a quick and easy remedy for this. Gently, take a knife, cut off the part that created a mound like effect to the cake. Now using a baking brush, gently brush off any crumbs that may still be on top.

After your cake is smooth on top, you are ready to create that special something. The next piece of advice is crucial. Remember the more icing you use on the top the better it will taste and look. It is the icing (frosting) that makes one cake stand out from the rest.

When icing (frosting) a cake you can use a spatula. Take care to brush off any crumbs before they come into contact with the icing. Also make sure that the bare spatula never touches the cake itself. It could mess up the top layer of the cake and create a mess.

If you want to create layers of icing or make special flowers, hearts, etc on the cake, you should do this in different colored icing. Many people also choose to use an icing bag to help them create their special effects. These bags also come in kits with different shaped tips that will help you create many effects such as stars and flowers.

The best way to create a star using an icing bag is to fill the bag about full. Now attach the star tip to the end of the bag. Carefully, hold the bag straight. Now begin squeezing out the icing. At the same time count 1-2-3 and stop. Look at your creation. You should have a perfect star. You may also want to use this tip to help make borders on your cakes and cupcakes.

If you wish to make a flower shape, switch tips, again hold the icing bag straight. Gently, squeeze out the frosting. It may take you up to a count of 4 because some flowers are bigger, depending on the size of the tip you are using.

The above are two of the easiest shapes to use when decorating. Yet, you can choose any shapes and any styles. You can also add candies, sprinkles, glazes and powdered sugars to the tops and sides of your cakes.

If you wish to achieve the look of a bakery cake, you must use heavy icing on top. Then you must not forgo sprinkles, candies or flowers. Of course, you should keep in mind the reason for the cake.

You may want to start with simple pattern. Using curvy lines or special tips, create a border over top of a completed iced (frosted) cake. Make sure the icing is a different color than the first layer. Once you established your border begin creating lines with the icing towards the center, from the border to the other side of the cake to the border on that side. Do this over and over again, until you covered the entire cake. Now in the middle of the cake add more and more icing, to create a small mound. Now you can place candy onto the mound, a numbered birthday candle, nuts, or create a flower in icing of a third color.

Yes, it really can be that easy to create something special from a great tasting cake and some simple cake decorating techniques.