It used to be that cake decorating was simple. You bought some frosting in a can, smoothed it over the cake with a butter knife, stuck a candle in the middle (or whatever little decorative touch you could muster) and you were done. Time to enjoy the delicious cake. Of course, there is nothing wrong with this method at all, but it does seem like the pressure is on these days to create a little something more impressive in the cake department. Cake decoration has skyrocketed in popularity lately. More and more people are choosing to take their cake decoration to a new level. Here are some tips on taking your cake decorating on a whole new level.
Rule # 1 – Don’t Freak Out
So let’s say that you have felt inspired lately to experiment in the kitchen, and you have decided to bake and decorate your own cake from scratch. Perhaps you think it a worthy goal, and not terribly lofty or complicated. Maybe you even tell a few people that you are going to bake a cake. Maybe you even promise to share your cake at dinner or to bring your creation to the next dinner party or potluck. Whatever the case may be, don’t panic. In fact, when it comes to baking and decorating your first cake, it is best not to “give” your cake away to other people your very first time. That is, the first time you bake and decorate your own cake, do it for yourself. Don’t bake and decorate your first cake for a big special occasion, because this will automatically put on the pressure to produce a fabulous and perfect result.
Rule # 2 – Remember That There Is No Such Thing as the Perfect Cake
As you begin to make your entrance into the fabulous world of baking and cake decorating, you may begin to wonder why your first efforts are not perfect. The plain truth is that there is no such thing as a perfect cake. The very nature of baking precludes you from being able to produce the perfect baking result. Each cake you bake and decorate will be slightly off, slightly irregular, because that is the nature of baking, and that is what makes it so exciting and interesting and challenging to amateur and professional chefs alike. Even the most experienced pastry chefs understand that mistakes and irregularities will happen, and they know how to cover their tracks.
Rule # 3 – Take Baby Steps Toward Your Confectionary Creation
One of the most important things you can do when you are baking and decorating your first cake is to start small. That is, don’t choose to make your first cake an elaborate affair. You might be setting yourself up for disappointment if you are trying to create something too elaborate for your first attempt. Start small with little decorative touches and experiments. For instance, start by using ingredients that you have never thought of before, such as decorating with nuts and dried fruits and even edible flower petals. Keep it fun and light at first.
Rule # 4 – Look Through Books and Magazines But Don’t Become Intimidated
It can be a lot of fun to look through books and magazines to get ideas for your foray into baking and cake decorating, but don’t let it intimidate you. These days, baking and cake decorating has gone well beyond the usual butter cream variety. If you are interested in getting more involved in baking and cake decoration, there are many fine selections out there that can give motivated about this endeavor and that can provide you with many ideas about how to go about decorating.
