Posts tagged cake
Cakes To Dream On
Do You Really Want to Make Cakes To Dream On?
Cakes to dream on must be very unique. Sometimes you may run out of ideas when you have just been asked to bake a cake for a special occasion. You often need a fresh idea for every celebration especially for friends and family. You may not want to repeat what they have already seen before. If you are the one asked to decorate the cake, then it is your chance once again to amaze them with your cake decorating skills. You really want them to remember and even dream about it.
I will give you a few cake decorating ideas to make cakes to dream on.
Use Characters
You can choose one out of hundreds of famous characters to decorate your cake. For example you can do a drawing of Dora the Explorer or Blues Clues.
Use Themes
You can choose themes from the 20′s, the 50′s or you may choose underwater adventure or some sport theme for your cake decorating. It is all up to your creativity. Some themes can really dazzle your guests. This can be real fun.
Motor Cake Themes
If you are making a birthday cake for a boy, you can decorate the cake with trucks, fire engines, helicopters or something else that they love. You could even create scenes of a fire being put out by firemen. If the boy is into sports for example baseball, you can create a baseball scene.
Animal Themes
Now in case the party is for a girl who loves animals you could think of decorating the cake with animal scenes. You can create a zoo scene or just draw a animals randomly. It is all up to your imagination.
Food Themes
| If you have been asked to make a cake for the opening of a new restaurant, you could create a building scene or a scene with a chef or display different dishes. It is also possible to design the cake in the form of a hotdog, a taco or a hamburger. |
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Holiday Theme
There are many holidays spread out through the year. There is Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s day and so on. You could create designs with characters associated with these holidays. Wilton has pans and decorating supplies for different holiday cake designs. They have a heart for Valentine’s day and a 4 leaf clover for St. Patrick’s day.
Individual Cake Design Creations
You can also think of your own design from your own experience and also based on the cake decorating designs that you have made in the past especially with new clients – if it is a business.
Recognition As An Expert Cake Decorator
| Whatever the situation, you should always try to come up with an attention grabbing decoration. This will earn you recognition and praise from your friends and family and even clients – who are likely to order more cakes from you. Remember to make cakes to dream on and you will be the talk of the “town”.
Click here for more, check out the best seller “Cakes to dream on” by Colette Peters at Amazon. |
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Cake Decorating Books
Are you looking for cake decorating books? I was checking the other day and I found some resources that you could check out.
The first resource discusses cake decorating for beginnners but the second is more general:
Cake Decorating Books For Beginners | Hot News Today
There are so many cake decorating books for beginners out there, which ones are the best? Of course not everybody is looking for the same thing; you may be at a different level in your cake decorating than someone else. Whether you’re a …
Cake Decorating Books,Tools & Supplies | Grandma Luci’s Recipes …
cakedecorating.e-all-recipes.com Olivia’s Cake Decorating Just a small selection of my great grandmothers cookbooks. Grandma Luci’s recipe box full of our families tried and true. Olivia’s Cake Decorating Books, Bake Ware, …
These should get you going. You can also look at the related articles on this site.
Enjoy 
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Cake Decorating Tips And Techniques
Courtesy Wikipedia
This article presents some basic cake decorating tips and techniques that you can use almost immediately. Normally after baking a cake, you wait for it cool down then you decorate it. This calls for patience and some cake decorating skills. These skills will enable you to enjoy and have more fun in cake decorating.
I will start with some basics. You will need enough space to be able to do your cake decorating properly. Avoid cramped workplaces. You will also need to avoid using a place where you may be disturbed or interrupted frequently by other people.
I mentioned earlier that you need to wait for the cake to cool before starting decorating it. If you try to decorate it earlier, you will encounter many problems. When planning always allow time for this. This can be critical especially when you are supplying orders to your friends and customers.
You should then ensure that you have all the necessary tools and ingredients readily available. You should think about this in advance. You will need a syringe or piping bag, the type and size tips you will be using, and the coupler to attach the tips to the piping bag.
There are many ways to decorate a cake. You may need to frost the cake with royal icing, cream icing or fondant icing for example. In that case you would need to ensure that you put a thin frosting layer on top of the cake to hold the crumbs together. Thereafter you will need to frost over that layer ensuring that the icing used is of the right consistency. Avoid it being too thin or too thick or else you will get a bad result. If you find your frosting to be too thin, add some more confectioners sugar. This should be added little by little so that it does not become too stiff. If it becomes too stiff, you can add some little liquid.
Different cake decorating techniques use different icing consistencies. For example, using stiff icing if you are going to make roses or similar flowers with upright petals and will be piping figures on the cake. If you do not using stiff icing, the petals will start drooping. In case you want to make flat petals or stars, you can use medium consistency.
Thinner icing can be sued for writing on the cake or more delicate work, for example vines and leaves. A little light corn syrup added to your icing makes it flow more easily and also makes it more flexible.
After you have iced the cake, you can now decorate it. You should hold the icing bag properly to achieve the patterns you want. The direction and angle you hold the piping bag will determine the way the patterns and shapes that will be created. Fortunately, there are only two positions for hold the piping bag when making designs. You can hold it at 90 degrees i.e. straight up from the surface of the cake. You can use this for simple decorations without lots of movement such as center of rosebuds, adding eyes to a character or making starts and dots.
The other position is to hold the piping bag at 45 degrees or hold the bag half-way between straight up and the surface of the cake. You can use this technique for greater flexibility in creating sweeping styles and shapes with your piping hand. This can also be used for flower petals. You should be aware that some piping tips e.g. tips for basket weave, petal and ruffle, have irregular ends. There is a right and wrong way of holding the bag when working with them.
Armed with these basics here are some tips to start you off in cake decorating:
Bows
This technique gives your cake the appearance of a wrapped gift. A flat tip and medium icing is used. You make half of the bow by holding the bag at a 45 degree angle and weeping it to the left. You then make a similar movement to the right to make a figure 8. Then make two streamers by holding the bag and sweeping downward and out from the center of the bow once on each side.
Basket Weave
This technique allows you to make the sides of your cake to look like a basket. It is advisable to practice using a piece of waxed paper until you gain sufficient confidence on doing it on the cake. After gaining the confidence, use a medium consistency icing with the basket weave tip to apply vertical stripes and horizontal stripes across the vertical. Ensure that the horizontal stripes are a bit longer so that the vertical stripes fit across them. This will create a basket pattern when you are through.
Lacework
This technique is popular with wedding and baby shower cakes. It requires some practice before mastery. You need to hold the bag almost at 90 degrees and very close to the surface. Use thin white icing. You will be making an icing border and therefore you need to decide how far in the border should be from the edge of the cake. Then move the tip up and down and around to make many similar shapes but avoid touching or crossing the other designs on the cake. Carry on until you cover the desired area fully. Thereafter you can go over both sides of the border with thicker icing. This will create an eye-catching lacework for you.
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Cake Fillings Used In Cake Decorating
Chocolate cake decorated with icing and fruit courtesy Wikipedia
One may think that cake filling is difficult. However if you know how it can easily make a beautiful filled cake. You need to know that cake filling flavors should complement each other, for example chocolate with hazelnuts, or almonds or orange.
There are cakes which cannot hold well without refrigeration. Mousse and whipped cream cakes are likely to separate get soggy and start dripping. Buttercream should be kept in a cool place to avoid frosting which can result in separation. Berries are likely to get soggy and drip. Also you should cakes covered with fondant at room temperature and never in a refrigerator.
You should always cater for any dietary restrictions of your guests. For example if you have diabetic clients, you should look for a small dessert that is sugar free for them. If in doubt always ask your clients in advance.
In situations where other food is to be served as well, you should use strong flavors and brighter colors in your cakes. This will make them stand out your cake decorating is more likely to be remembered by your guests.
Some cake filling ideas for you to consider:
- Mocha buttercream with a sprinkle of finely chopped heath bars, or with caramel sauce dribbled over the cake and sprinkled with chopped peanuts.
- Buttercream icing flavors- Mocha, Orange, Raspberry, Chocolate, Lemon, and extra Almond extract.
- Any variety of jam
- Almond, Lemon, Coffee, Raspberry, Hazelnut, or orange liqueur can be brushed on the cake before icing, for a flavor boost.
- Whipped cream, Chocolate Mousse, and Vanilla Custard.
- Davinci Flavored Syrups are great for a flavor enhancer that is non-alcoholic. These syrups come in over 100 flavors.
If you want to eliminate the problem of the cake filling oozing out of the sides, you can use a jam that is all fruit. Heat in a jar in a microwave without the lid. Within a half a minute the jam will have turned into a warm liquid. You should then stir small quantity of jello of the same flavour with the jam to intensify the flavour and then spread it on the first layer. You should then leave it for a few minutes to set. Thereafter you can apply the second layer without fear of any spill-over.
You may wish to set the first layer in a freezer for about 15 minutes to make the jam set better. You can also make a dam of buttercream around the edge of the cake to keep the filling in position. The icing will therefore not be stained by the filling and your decorated cake will remain beautiful. Cake filling is not that hard!
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Cake Decorating Tools
Angel Food Cake Pan Courtesy Wikipedia
As you start your cake decorating career or hobby, you may be asking what cake decorating tools are needed. A few things can get you going very quickly in your cake decorating. As part of your cake decorating set, you will need a heavy duty mixer, cake pans, mixing bowls, spatulas, metal icing spatulas, icing tips, icing bags and ready-made recipes for homemade royal icing. You may later decide to expand your cake decorating and baking inventory. Here is a list of items that may interest you.
- Butter cream icing 3 pounds. Ready to use for cake decorations and icing. Cost $8.95. 25 pounds – $46.90, 8 pounds – $16.00.
- Rolled fondant icing white3 vanilla, 2 pounds cost $8.90. Rolled fondant cake icing is high quality; non-stick icing that can be easily lout for cake decorating with a mechanical sheeter or rolling pin. It produces a satiny smooth elegant finish on cakes. It is also often used as a modeling paste in creating decorative flat or 3D pieces in cake decorations. It is very delicious and has a mellow flavor. It can be applied over a thin icing layer or powdered sugar layer to prevent it from sticking. Fondant produces very elegant and beautiful cakes. You can choose from different fondant flavours and different weights.
- Hexagon cake pan 16 gauge anodized aluminum, straight sides, hemmed rim for durability and even wall thickness. Also available cut corner sheet cake pan, petal cake baking pans, hear cake pans, square cheesecake pan and removable bottom, oval cake pan set, 10 x 2 aluminum baking ring, round cake pan sets, wedding cake pan set.
- Round, fluted cake pans.
- Non-stick angel-food cake pan.
- Magic Line Round Cake Pans are made to suit all of your baking needs whether you are a professional or a novice at cake decorating. Set includes one 6 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch, and 14 inch pan.
- Set of 2 round cake pans from 2 x 2 inch, to 20 x 2. Prices range from $4.84 to $34.10. 3 inch deep cake pans and pan sets at lower prices.
- French Chef Rolling Pin – $6.99.
- 3 tier Cake and Dessert Stand – $29.29.
You can search for cake decorating supplies online. You can locate the one nearest to your home and get your items there. You may need to visit several shops or you can just order online for everything. It is always advisable to compare prices before making a big order.
Cake decorating has become very popular and is now a large industry. Almost every party must have cakes. This provides a good opportunity for many to engage in the cake decorating business.
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Cake Decorating Ideas
Did you know that the first cakes baked in America were small loaves of sweet bread? Look how far we have come. Home bakers should not be intimidated by the elaborate cakes being made today. You do not need to be a pastry chef to make beautiful cakes, you just need the know-how and practice. Of course the right tools will go a long way in your cake decorating endeavors. Here are a few ideas you might like to try.
Courtesy Wikipedia
Every cake worth merit starts with a smooth icing. The cake needs to cool completely before they are iced and decorated. To keep crumbs from ending up in your icing and ruining the look of your cake, start with a thin base coat of frosting that is not quite as stiff as the regular layer will be. Once this coat is on, set the cake in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will set the icing and any crumbs will be caught in this first layer. Now you can spread a regular layer of icing without worrying about crumbs.
Use an icing spatula to apply and smooth the second coat of icing. Once the icing is on the cake, start smoothing on the sides by running the spatula around the perimeter of the cake. One trick for smoothing the frosting is to dip the metal icing spatula in cold water, this will aid in smoothing the frosting. To smooth the top, dip the spatula in cold water and holding it horizontally over the top of the cake. Start at the point farthest from you, holding the spatula in both hands, skim the top of the icing by bringing the spatula straight toward you.
Simple Designs
Some cake decorators say learning to smooth the icing is the hardest part of cake decorating. Practice will make you a pro in not time. Once you have it down, show it off, even a cake without many decorations that is clean and smooth will make an perfectly elegant offering.
Instead of icing, cake tops can be dusted with powdered sugar. You can choose to use a stencil for a more decorated appearance, or just the powdered sugar for a clean look.
Edible decorations are a beautiful yet simple cake decorating technique. The use of sprinkles, candy, nuts, and coconut pressed into the icing before it sets, will make your cake stand out.
To apply a textured look for your cake decorating, use a small cardboard comb, available in baking supply stores.
Piping is achieved by using a pastry bag fitted with a metal tip that is held on by a coupler. This is your most important tool for cake decorating. You can make lines, words, shells, flowers, and many other designs on the top or sides of the cake. Fill the bag with no more than 1 cup of icing at a time, twist the top of the bag and keep steady pressure when piping the design. Use your other hand to guide the tip. It is wise to find out everything you can about piping before you begin.
Fondant a smooth white paste, is used in complicated cake decorating. 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. It is less tasty than buttercream, but the cake will look sleek and elegant.
Cake Decorating Adult Birthday Cakes
Cake decorating for adults are a bit different than those you would do for a kids party. It doesn’t mean they need to be boring or ugly. Below are some great ideas for adult cakes that are fun to make and fun to eat.
Crunchie Rice Cake
In 2 square cake pans, make 2 batches of rice cereal treats according to the recipe found on the back of the box of cereal. When they have cooled, do not cut the treats, take them from the pans like they are.
Cover the top of the first layer with icing, and then a layer of chocolate chips, and a second layer of icing, and then a layer of multicolored sprinkles, and a third layer of icing. Place the second layer of the crunchie cake on top and frost the whole thing as you would a normal cake. Place a layer of colored chocolate candy on the top. You can even put the name of the recipient in candy. This is a whimsical cake that can be used for adults or children.
Over the Hill Graveyard Cake
Bake two cake mixes in a roasting pan. Make a gray icing with 2 drops of green and red food coloring and mixing it with white icing. Turn the cake out on a cake board ice the entire cake with this icing. Line a sidewalk with thin black licorice, and dot candy corn along the outside edges. Rectangular cookies can be iced with a darker gray icing. These can be used as gravestones. You can find gummy skeletons at Halloween, or make your own out of toothpicks and use jelly beans for heads. Ghosts can be made from cotton balls, but you need to make sure no cotton gets in the icing you may want to make some out of construction paper and stick them on a popsicle stick. That might be a good idea for the skeletons too.
Ball and Chain Birthday cake
This is a great idea if commissioned by a husband or wife. Bake two round cakes and let them cool completely. Remove the cakes from the pans. Cover the top of one cake with the recipient’s favorite fruit pie filling. Place the second layer on top and ice the entire cake. Buy a bag of small cake donuts and frost them the same as you did the cake. On the cake board place one of the doughnuts up against the bottom of the cake. Follow this with several other doughnuts to make a chain. You can add different decorations on the cake, or leave it plain, it’s up to you.
No matter what theme you choose, the cake decorating will be appreciated by the person having the birthday. Make sure you add candles and bring a cake server when you attend the party. Every time you make a cake and decorate it, you are honing your cake decorating skills and the more practice you get, the better you will be at cake decorating.
