Friday, July 04, 2008

Birthday Cake Decorating Ideas

By Isis K. Nouvelle

You might find it interesting to know that the first cakes baked in the US were actually just small loaves of sweet bread. Just imagine how far we have come. This would be good news for the home bakers, with the huge collection of recipes to choose from. Virtually anyone can bake wonderful cakes. The right thing to do if you are keen is to invest in a good set of cake making tools.

Every cake worth merit starts with a smooth icing; cakes need to cool completely before they are iced and decorated. You can prevent crumbs from damaging your dicing layer by starting with a thin base of frosting. Leave them to cool off in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before you do anything else. The icing will be set and all crumbs will not surface to the crucial layers where your decorations will be. Without having to worry about crumbs, you can start having a great time decorating your cake.

Now get your icing spatula and apply a nice coat of icing layer. Place a nice amount of icing on the cake and stat smoothing it by running the spatula along the perimeters of the cake. There is one well-kept secret you can use, dip the spatula in cold water before you start smoothing, it makes the job a whole lot easier. Dip it again in cold water as you hold the spatula horizontally over the top, and start smoothing the surface of the cake. Use both hands and drag the spatula towards you, starting at the furthest point.

Avoiding the Complicated

Some cake decorators claim that smoothing icing is the hardest part. Always practice to perfect the skills you have. Rejoice if you can do it right, it is the hardest part.

One good alternative to icing tops are sugar coated powders that are dusted across the surface of the cake. Use a stencil for a more elaborate experience or you can use powdered sugar for a dusted look. One good addition is to see edible cake decorations. The use of sprinkles, candy, nuts, and coconut pressed into the icing before it sets, will make your cake stand out.

You can create a textured look by using a cardboard comb, which you can get easily from baking supply store. Piping is achieved by using a pastry bag fitted with a metal tip that is held on by a coupler. This is the most important part in your cake decorating adventure because it opens up whole new possibilities-you can create flowers, shells, and anything you can virtually imagine. Fill your bag with one cup of icing and start decorating your cake. You may use your other hand to move the tip safely without smudging. It is wise to find out everything you can about piping before you begin.

Fondant is used in complex cake decors, and it is actually a smooth white paste. Fondant is kneaded and rolled to cover cakes with a sleek smooth layer of icing. It is also used to make designs that are 3-D; although it is less tasty than butter cream, the cake will look sleek and elegant.

About the Author:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home