Cake Decorating

Well, true to form, I always have to try something new.  This time… cake decorating.

I had a desire to decorate cakes from watching The Next Great Baker and Cupcake Wars programs on television, but not passionate enough about it to place said desire on my priority ‘to do’ list.

My daughter gave me a decorating set for Christmas in 2011.  The set sat in a kitchen drawer because I had no idea where to begin. The set included 14 different decorating tips, a flower nail, a cake tester, two plastic reusable decorating bags, a coupler, a spatula, a smoother/decorating comb, and food coloring (4 colors),  but no directions. So, I had all the 'stuff', but I did not know how to use any of it.

I asked a friend, a real pro at cake decorating, if she was planning any classes.  I never received an answer after several inquiries; so, I assumed she was too busy actually making cakes for her business.

Eventually, I decided to go online and check out the current class schedule for a nearby municipal parks and recreation department.  This is the place where I got my start in making my necklaces.  And, you know how successful that class was since I am now selling my never-ending creations.  A cheese-making class was offered which I thought I might like.  And, a soap-making class which I thought my friend Ann would like.  Then, I saw it on the list; Beginner Cake Decorating…class registration due by January 28^th.  It was now February 4^th, a Friday and late at night to boot.  I thought about that class all weekend.

On Monday morning, I decided to call and see if it was still possible to register for the class which started on the very next day.  It was, I did and I prepared for my class which called for bringing an 8” cake to the first class.

I rarely make cake, and I never make an 8”; I usually make an easy 9” X 13” pan cake.  Maybe I should have taken a cake baking class first????

In any case, during that first class, I learned the proper technique for frosting a cake, the foundation for decorating, which I never knew.  If I did, I would have no problem baking those 8” layer cakes.  The problem was not so much in the baking as it was in the frosting sliding down the side of the cake.  Now, that problem is solved.  Then, we students went on to learn our first decorating techniques:  writing, such as Happy Birthday, and making a shell border around the edge and base of the cake.

Heaven, my instructor, preparing
the class supplies and tools.




Heaven demonstrating 'writing'
on a cake top.

I was sold, I was impressed.  I could stop here and be very satisfied with my new found cake decorating skills.  But, there is more to learn.  I keep practicing on plastic-covered cardboard cake rounds or even on plates.  I seem to do my best work off cake; I guess I am under less pressure when I am not actually working on a ‘real’ cake.

 

 



My first attempt at decorating
a REAL cake - not too bad, right?
Now, for the taste.....

Come back and visit to see my progress.