Discover Cooking

The original cakes produced in America were actually small loaves of sweet bread. Imagine the huge difference they are from the modern day recipes we have today. This should make any homemaker delighted, as they are now able to choose from a wide variety of cakes to bake. You need knowledge to produce great cakes. The logical thing to do is to purchase a good set of tools to assist in your cake making adventure.

Every little cake creation starts with the foundation, so you need to begin with a real nice coating of smooth icing, enough to cover the surface of this cake. It is a good idea to start your cake decorating with a thin layer of frost, enough to cover all crumbs from ever getting into the regular layer of your icing. When you are done with this layer, leave them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will set the first layer and lock in all crumbs from ever rising to the external layer of your icing. Now you can have fun decorating you cake without having to worry about those dreaded crumbs suddenly appearing.

You can use an icing spatula to smooth the next coat of icing layer. Use the spatula and smooth the icing on the sides of the cake, running it smoothly along the perimeters. Dip the spatial in cold water before you use them, it makes the job easier. Dip it again in cold water as you hold the spatula horizontally over the top, and start smoothing the surface of the cake. Start at the farthest point and drag the spatula towards you.

Avoiding the Complicated

Smoothing the icing is no easy job; in fact some claims that it is actually the hardest part of all. There is no substitute for practice. Rejoice if you can do it right, it is the hardest part.

If icing is not your cup of tea, use dusted sugar powder. You can choose to use a stencil for a more decorated appearance, or just the powdered sugar for a clean look. Try using one of those cakes decorating stuff or a change. The use of colorful candies, nuts and coconut slices can make your cake stand out from the crows.

Use cardboard combs to create a textured feel, if you want. You can make a piping by using a pastry bag and a metal tip held together with a coupler. This is real fun and you can get to tap into your talent and rate some new designs-flowers, leaves, at the top or sides of your cake. Do not fill the bag more than one cup of icing and start making those tiny designs by applying steady pressure. To guide the tip use your other hand. There are plenty of techniques you can use when piping.

Fondant, a smooth white paste, is used in complicated cake decorating. They are kneaded and roiled to be placed over the cake for that expensive, classy look. They are often used to create elegant 3-D designs.