Most people are simply not aware of the long and interesting history of cake decorating around the world. Cake decorating has a long and fascinating history as an edible art. Here is a brief overview of the evolution of cake decorating over the years. It is interesting to note how cake decorating, like most other things, is simply a reflection of the society and life of the people who developed it.

The Very Beginnings of Cake Decorating

Cake decorating has some very interesting roots. Cake decorating is actually one of the newer edible arts, especially when it is compared to other culinary arts. Cake decorating appears to have gotten its start back in the mid-17th century. It is probably no coincidence at all that this is the same time that cake pans first made their appearance in domestic kitchens across Northern Europe. At the beginning in the mid-17th century, cake decorating began to gain much popularity as a means to create elaborate desserts. These elaborate cake desserts were often used as displays during feasts and banquets. In most case, only the wealthiest aristocracy could afford to put on such confectionary displays. However, in most cases these were mainly used as decorative display pieces, and they were not eaten.

The 19th Century Brings Cake Decorating to the Masses

The history of cake decorating truly picked up steam at the start of the mid-19th century. During this period in history, the French began to serve the dessert as a separate sweet course and it began to be served at the very end of a complete meal. It was during this time that desserts, mostly in the form of confectionary treats and cakes, began to make their appearance on dessert and banquet tables across many parts of Europe.

The Advent of Temperature-Controlled Ovens Make Cake Decorating Possible

During the period of the 1840s, a new development in kitchen technology made cakes more popular and prominent than ever before. The temperature controlled oven emerged as an important piece of kitchen technology. This development made baking much more easy and convenient. It was during this period that cake baking became much more popular with those who had access to a temperature controlled oven.

The First Instances of Cake Decorating

During this early period in the history of widespread cake decorating, most cake decorating still consisted mainly of the old difficult English method. This method generally consisted of decorating with over piping. Cakes were most likely covered in rolled fondant. The borders would usually be very intricately over piped on the cake. There was another important development during this same period, and it had to do with the introduction of baking powder and baking soda. These, of course, are very important ingredients that revolutionized cooking and baking. These ingredients made it much easier to get the kind of dough consistency necessary in order to do widespread baking.

The 20th Century Brings the Wilton Method to Kitchens Everywhere

Around the year 1929, a new method began to be developed that would transform the way baking and cake decoration was accomplished. An American business known as Wilton Enterprises began to put on their own cake decorating classes. These classes were often advertised to chefs, caterers and other enterprising gourmands with a serious interest in cake decorating and baking. The Wilton’s, in 1947, began to promote their own line of cake decorating products and baking utensils. These made a big splash and had a big influence on how thousands of people began to decorate their cakes and approach their own personal baking. Eventually, the Wilton Method became the most accepted method for approaching cake decoration. However, in the 1980s, the company merged with another company. Today, there is no one accepted way bake and decorate a cake.

If you have never decorated a cake before, maybe you have never thought of it as an art. But as any professional pastry chef will tell you, wedding cake decoration has a lot of things in common with the arts, including sculpture and design. If you are like many people, you probably think of cake decorating as something for your grandmother to do. But cake decorating is a well respected sugar art. Wedding cake decoration is highly admired as a culinary art. Here is some information on everything you need to know about how this art got its start.

The Edible Art of Cake Decorating

How did cake decorating get its start? Who thought of decorating cakes for beauty? Most cakes are decorated in order to increase the aesthetic appeal of the cake and to provide a decorative flourish, but cakes are also decorated in order to complement or improve the taste and texture of the dessert. In most cases, cakes are decorated in order to improve the visual appeal of the cake. Many master decorators have elevated cake decorating to a high edible art. Cake decorating can do a lot to improve the appeal and impression of any dessert that needs to be special for a special occasion.

Cake Decorating – A Very Short History

The history of cake decorating can be traced back to the mid-17th century in Northern Europe. It was during this time that cake decorating began to establish itself as a common practice, and it was especially used in the northwestern provinces of Europe. Cake decorating spread quickly in popularity throughout the continent. At once it was only associated with the most luxuriant of aristocratic banquets. These days, cake decorating has become a popular edible art throughout many parts of the world. Cake decorating is a common practice throughout North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Many of the world’s most respected cake decorators and cooking institutes continue to thrive in the culinary capitals of Europe.

Different Cake Decorating Styles

There are many different schools of thought and methods used in cake decorating, the so-called sugar arts. However, most cake decorating styles tend to use many of the same basic techniques. These basic methods are commonly shared by all cake decorators and run the gamut of cake decorating styles. All cake decorating, regardless of style, involves icing or other kinds of decorative sugars. Many cake decorators use candies, including chocolates and confections in order to decorate. Cake decorating can be as simple as icing a cake with butter cream. Cake decorating can involve simply sprinkling a cake with iced sugar or decorative sprinkles. Or cake decorating can simply mean adding a glossy sweet glaze to your cake. All of methods are basic examples of what you can do with cake decorating.

Popular Methods in Cake Decorating

Although cake decorating is a versatile art that rewards risks and creativity, there are certain methods that almost all cake decorators abide by. Here are the most common types of cake decorating methods and a brief overview of the basic techniques the different methods tend to employ.

The Wilton Method

This cake decorating style mainly uses butter cream. It was developed in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. The Wilton Method quickly became one of the most popular types of cake decorating techniques because it allows beginners to move through different levels of expertise and design.

The Lambeth Method

This traditional cake decorating method uses an over piping technique. It is known as a complicated technique that uses royal icing piping on cakes covered in fondant.

The Australian Method

Another common cake decorating technique, it is known as the Australian Method. It also uses royal icing piping on an intricate curtain and lacework.