Cake Decorating – Tips & Troubleshooting

Principles of cake decorating

• Leveling and stacking: Leveling the cake layers and stacking them evenly is crucial for a stable and visually balanced cake. A flat and level surface makes it easier to decorate and prevents leaning or toppling.
• Crumb coating: Applying a thin layer of frosting, known as a crumb coat, seals in any loose crumbs and creates a smooth base for the final layer of frosting. This step helps achieve a polished appearance.
• Frosting consistency: The consistency of your frosting plays a significant role in the outcome of your cake decoration. The frosting should be smooth and spreadable but firm enough to hold its shape. Adjust the consistency by adding more powdered sugar for stiffness or a small amount of liquid (such as milk or cream) for a softer texture.
• Smooth frosting: Achieving a smooth and even layer of frosting is essential for a professional finish. Use an offset spatula or a bench scraper to spread the frosting evenly across the cake’s surface, working from the center to the edges.
• Piping techniques: Piping is a common method used for creating decorative designs, borders, and lettering on cakes. Learning different piping techniques, such as rosettes, shells, dots, and borders, will add variety and visual interest to your cake decorations.
• Color coordination: Color plays a vital role in cake decorating. Understanding color theory and applying it to your designs can make a significant difference. Consider color harmonies, such as complementary or analogous colors, to create visually pleasing combinations.
• Texture and patterns: Experiment with different textures and patterns to add depth and interest to your cake decorations. Techniques like ruffles, basketweave, or embossing can create unique effects and enhance the overall appearance.
• Balance and proportion: Pay attention to the balance and proportion of your cake decorations. Ensure that the design elements are distributed evenly and harmoniously across the cake. Avoid overcrowding or leaving large empty spaces.
• Attention to detail: Small details can elevate the overall look of your cake. Take time to refine your designs, paying attention to clean lines, smooth edges, and precise piping. Finishing touches like edible flowers, fondant decorations, or dusted accents can add an extra touch of elegance.
• Practice and creativity: Cake decorating is an art that improves with practice and allows for creative expression. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try new techniques, and develop your personal style. With time and dedication, you’ll develop confidence and master the principles of cake decorating.

10 Cake decorating tips for beginners

• Start with a flat surface: Level your cake layers to create an even base for decorating. A cake leveler or a serrated knife can be used to remove any domed tops.
• Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting or buttercream, known as a crumb coat, to seal in any loose crumbs. This helps create a smooth foundation for the final layer of frosting.
• Use the right tools: Invest in some basic cake decorating tools such as an offset spatula, piping bags, piping tips, and a turntable. These tools will make the decorating process easier and more precise.
• Practice piping techniques: Start with simple piping techniques such as dots, lines, and rosettes. Practice consistency in pressure and movement to achieve uniform results.
• Experiment with different piping tips: Try out various piping tips to create different designs and textures. Start with basic tips like the round tip, star tip, and petal tip, and gradually expand your collection.
• Get creative with colors: Use food coloring to add vibrant colors to your frosting. Start with small amounts and gradually add more until you achieve the desired shade. Gel-based colors are preferable as they won’t thin out the frosting.
• Try different textures: Explore different techniques to create interesting textures on your cakes. You can use a fork to create a rustic texture or experiment with different spatula techniques for smooth finishes.
• Use stencils and templates: Stencils and templates can be helpful for creating intricate designs. Place them on the cake and apply powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or colored sprinkles to transfer the design onto the cake.
• Incorporate simple decorations: Start with basic decorations like sprinkles, edible pearls, or edible flowers to enhance the appearance of your cake. These simple additions can make a big difference.
• Take it step by step: Break down the decorating process into smaller tasks and tackle them one at a time. This will help you stay organized and ensure that each step is completed before moving on to the next.
• Learn from tutorials and resources: Watch cake decorating tutorials online or read books to learn new techniques and gather inspiration. There are plenty of resources available that can help you develop your skills.

What equipment do I need for cake decorating?

To engage in cake decorating, you will need a variety of tools and equipment. Here is a list of essential items for cake decorating: Remember, these are great to have but are not absolutely necessary!!

• Piping Bags: These are used to hold and dispense frosting or icing onto the cake. They come in disposable plastic or reusable cloth options.
• Piping Tips: These are metal attachments that fit onto the piping bags to create different designs and shapes. There are numerous types of piping tips available, including round, star, leaf, petal, and specialty tips. Start with basic tips like round and star tips and gradually expand your collection.
• Offset Spatula: An offset spatula is a versatile tool for spreading frosting, smoothing surfaces, and creating even layers. It has a bent angle, allowing for easy maneuverability.
• Bench Scraper: This tool is used for smoothing the sides of cakes and creating clean edges. It’s especially useful for square or rectangular cakes.
• Cake Turntable: A turntable is a rotating stand that holds the cake while you decorate. It allows for easier access to all sides of the cake and smoother frosting application.
• Cake Leveler: A cake leveler is used to create even layers by cutting the top of the cake. It ensures that your cake layers are flat and uniform.
• Cake Boards and Cake Drums: These are sturdy boards or drums used to support and transport cakes. They provide a stable base for decorating and presenting your cakes.
• Decorating Brushes: Food-safe brushes are useful for applying glazes, brushing on edible dusts or colors, and adding delicate details to cake decorations.
• Fondant Smoother: If you work with fondant, a fondant smoother helps achieve a smooth and polished finish on the surface of the cake.
• Rolling Pin: A rolling pin is essential for rolling out fondant or dough for cake decorations.
• Decorating Tips and Couplers: Apart from piping tips, you will need couplers, which allow you to change the piping tips without emptying the bag. Couplers are especially useful when using different tips for the same color of frosting.
• Cake Decorating Comb or Scraper: These tools create textured or patterned designs on the sides of cakes.
• Edible Decorations: Various edible decorations like sprinkles, edible pearls, edible glitter, and edible flowers can enhance the visual appeal of your cake.
• Palette Knife: A palette knife or flat spatula is useful for spreading and smoothing icing or ganache.
• Food Coloring: Gel or paste food coloring is preferred for achieving vibrant and accurate colors in frosting and fondant.
• Flower Nail: If you plan to create intricate buttercream flowers, a flower nail is used as a base for piping the flower petals.
• Cooling Rack: A cooling rack is used to cool cakes and allow air circulation for even cooling.
• Cake Stand or Platter: A decorative cake stand or platter is used to showcase your finished cake.

Decorating round vs square cakes

• Shape and symmetry: Round cakes have a natural symmetry, which can make it easier to create balanced designs. Square cakes, on the other hand, have defined corners and straight edges that require attention to symmetry and clean lines during decoration.
• Design options: Round cakes offer versatility in design, allowing for various patterns, swirls, and curved elements. Square cakes are well-suited for geometric designs, straight lines, and precise patterns. Consider the shape of the cake when planning the overall design.
• Borders and edges: Round cakes often have softer edges, making it common to use piped borders, rosettes, or scalloped designs that flow along the curves. Square cakes can be accentuated with sharp edges and straight borders, such as ribbon borders, piped lines, or fondant strips.
• Fondant covering: Fondant can be applied smoothly on both round and square cakes. However, square cakes require extra care at the corners to prevent folding or creasing. Taking time to smooth out the fondant on the straight edges and corners will help achieve a clean and polished appearance.
• Shape-related decorations: Round cakes can be decorated with floral arrangements, circular patterns, or cascading designs that complement the curved shape. Square cakes can feature designs that accentuate the corners, such as placing flowers at each corner or incorporating square-shaped elements into the decoration.
• Tiered cakes: Round cakes are commonly used for tiered cake designs due to their stability and ease of stacking. Square cakes can also be stacked for tiered cakes, but proper support and alignment are crucial to maintain stability and symmetry.
• Pattern placement: When considering patterns or designs on round cakes, they will wrap around the cake evenly. With square cakes, you have the option to align patterns or designs to specific sides or corners, allowing for more deliberate placement and symmetry.
• Cutting and serving: Round cakes are often sliced into wedges, while square cakes are typically cut into square or rectangular portions. When decorating, consider how the design will appear when the cake is sliced and served.

Tips for frosting and decorating square cakes (or cakes with corners)

• Level and trim the cake: Ensure that your square cake layers are level and have straight edges. Use a cake leveler or a serrated knife to trim off any domed tops and create even layers.
• Crumb coat the cake: Apply a thin layer of frosting called a crumb coat to seal in the crumbs and create a smooth base. Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Chill the cake for a few minutes to set the crumb coat.
• Apply the final layer of frosting: Once the crumb coat is set, apply the final layer of frosting to the cake. Start with the top and use an offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly, moving towards the edges. Then, frost the sides, ensuring a smooth and even layer.
• Square off the corners: To achieve sharp corners on your square cake, use a clean ruler or a square cake comb. Hold the ruler against the corners of the cake while rotating the cake on a turntable. Gently scrape off excess frosting to create clean edges.
• Smooth the sides: Use a bench scraper or an icing smoother to smooth the sides of the cake. Hold the scraper perpendicular to the cake and gently press it against the sides while rotating the turntable. Continue smoothing until you achieve a clean and even surface.
• Decorate with straight lines: Square cakes lend themselves well to designs with straight lines. Consider using ribbon borders, geometric patterns, or piped lines using a piping bag and a straight piping tip. You can also create a textured look by using a textured mat or comb against the sides of the cake.
• Add decorations: Enhance the square cake’s appearance by adding decorative elements. Use fondant to create geometric shapes, cutouts, or stripes that complement the square shape. You can also use piping techniques to create flowers, borders, or other designs.
• Pay attention to symmetry: Square cakes require attention to symmetry and balance. Ensure that your decorations and designs are evenly spaced and aligned to maintain a visually pleasing look.
• Take your time: Decorating square cakes may require more precision and patience due to the straight lines and corners. Take your time while frosting and decorating, and make adjustments as needed to achieve the desired results.
• Practice and experiment: Like any cake decorating skill, practice and experimentation are key. Don’t be afraid to try different techniques and designs to find what works best for your square cakes. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable and proficient in frosting and decorating square-shaped cakes.

What are the causes of these bulges around cakes?

Bulges around cakes are usually the result of the pressure built up inside the cake from the time it’s baked to the time it’s decorated. The best way to take care of the pressure, is to first let your cake settle. Let it cool completely before you even start to level, crumb coat, or decorate.

There are a few possible reasons for pressure build-up causing these bulges:

• If you don’t level your cake properly (see have a dome on the cake).
• Not giving your cake enough time to rest.
• Your cake is warm – which is why places with warm climate have more issues with bulges around the cake.
• Sudden change in temperature – getting the cake out from the fridge and into a hot and humid room (especially here in the Middle East).
• Overfilling your cake – too much filling in between the layers.
• Not doweling the cake properly – few dowels.

How to avoid bulges around your cakes?

• Cool the cakes – The cakes need enough resting time between baking and decorating, as well as between crumbing, coating, and decorating. Plan your cake leaving enough time in between steps – read timeline for decorating cakes.
• Level your cake: Before you start decorating, ensure that your cake layers are level. Use a cake leveler or a serrated knife to trim off any domed tops. A flat surface will help prevent bulges.
• Crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting or buttercream called a crumb coat to the cake before applying the final layer. This layer seals in any loose crumbs and provides a smooth base for the final frosting layer.
• Chill the cake: After applying the crumb coat, place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for about 15-20 minutes. This helps the frosting firm up and prevents it from melting or sliding off.
• Use a sturdy frosting: Choose a frosting recipe that is stable and firm enough to hold its shape. Soft or overly whipped frostings may not provide enough support and can lead to bulges.
• Apply an even layer of frosting: When adding the final layer of frosting, make sure to apply it evenly and smoothly. Use an offset spatula or a bench scraper to achieve a flat surface.
• Avoid excessive pressure: Be gentle while spreading the frosting. Applying too much pressure can push the frosting toward the edges, causing bulges. Use smooth, light strokes to spread the frosting evenly.
• Fillings and layers: If you’re using fillings between cake layers, ensure they are not too soft or runny. Thick fillings such as ganache or stabilized whipped cream work well as they provide stability and prevent bulges.
• Proper stacking: When layering multiple cake tiers, make sure they are properly aligned and stacked evenly. Uneven stacking can create pressure points that lead to bulges.
• Allow the cake to settle: After stacking the cake layers, let it rest for a while before applying the final frosting. This allows the cake to settle, reducing the chances of bulging.
• Use dowels or supports: For tiered cakes, use dowels or other support systems to ensure the upper tiers don’t weigh down on the lower ones. A well-supported cake is less likely to bulge.

Remember, practice and experience play a significant role in cake decorating. Don’t be discouraged if you encounter some bulges initially. With time, you’ll improve your techniques and achieve smoother, more professional-looking cakes. (see how to level, torte, fill and frost cakes).

How do you hide bulges around your cake?

Cake decorating can be tricky sometimes with bulges and other issues. But, knowing how to fix these or mask these can save the day. You can see in this cake below:

• I have used a black lace to cover the bulge and placed the cameo to cover the pinprick.
• You can also use other things like place flowers or fondant cutouts to cover the bulged area.

What are double barrel cakes?

A double barrel cake, also known as a tall cake or extended height cake, is a cake that consists of two or more cake layers stacked on top of each other to create a taller cake than the standard single-layered cake. It is essentially two cakes that are stacked together to create the appearance of a single, tall cake.

The term “double barrel” refers to the fact that the cake appears as if it has two barrels stacked on top of each other. It is a popular choice for special occasions, such as weddings or large celebrations, where an impressive and grand cake is desired.

To create a double barrel cake, you typically bake two separate cakes of the same size and stack them on top of each other using a sturdy support system, such as dowels or cake boards. The layers are usually filled and frosted together, giving the cake a cohesive appearance.

Double barrel cakes offer more room for creativity and decoration due to their increased height. They can be decorated with various techniques, such as fondant covering, buttercream piping, edible decorations, or tiered designs. The additional height allows for more elaborate and eye-catching cake designs, making them a striking centerpiece for any event.

Double barrel vs tall cakes

The terms “double barrel cake” and “tall cake” are often used interchangeably, and their meaning can vary depending on the context. However, there can be a slight difference in their interpretation.

1. Double Barrel Cake: As mentioned earlier, a double barrel cake refers to a cake made by stacking two or more cake layers on top of each other to create a taller cake than a single-layered cake. The layers are usually filled and frosted together, giving the appearance of a single, tall cake. The term “double barrel” specifically implies that there are two distinct cake layers stacked on top of each other.
2. Tall Cake: On the other hand, a “tall cake” is a more general term used to describe any cake that is taller than the standard single-layered cake. It can refer to cakes that have more than two layers stacked together, resulting in a taller overall height. While a tall cake can also be a double barrel cake, it can also include cakes with three or more layers, each filled and frosted individually.

In summary, a double barrel cake typically consists of two distinct cake layers stacked together, while a tall cake can refer to any cake that is taller than a single-layered cake, including those with three or more layers. However, the specific terminology used may vary, and the distinction between the two terms can be blurred in practice.

Example of  tall or extended height cakes

This burgundy is three layers of cake. Each tier is made of 2 x 3 layers cake. Each tier has a cake board under it, but there is no cake circle inside the individual tiers. In contrast, the middle tier on the other cakes is two 7-inch round cakes, each 5-inches in height. There is a cake board in between the two cakes but it is ganache and covered with fondant as one cake.

What are cake decorating dusts and how to use them?

Cake decorating dusts, also known as luster dusts or edible dusts, are powdered food coloring products used to add shimmer, shine, and color to cake decorations. They come in a wide range of colors and are commonly used to highlight details, create metallic effects, or add a touch of sparkle to fondant, gum paste, or other cake decorating elements.

Types of cake decorating dusts

• Petal Dust – Used to color the petals of flowers hence the name petal dust. They are usually in matt finish to achieve a more realistic look.  Petal dust can be added to luster or pearl dust to add color and sheen.
• Pearl Dust – Usually comes in white and gives a pearlescent finish to fondant or gum paste such as fondant pearls.  You can add petal dust to petal dust to achieve a colored shiny finish.
• Luster Dust – Comes in different colors and has shimmer added to it. When applied they have a colored shiny sparkly appearance.  It can be applied dry or dissolved with alcohol to obtain two different effects.
• Sparkle Dust – Similar to luster but the grains of shimmer are larger.
• Disco Dust –  grains are larger than sparkle dust. Contains shimmer and glitter and is used to give a bolder sparkly glittery finish.
• Highlighter Dust – Gold, silver, and metallic are supposed to be used for decorative purposes only which means they are not to be consumed. Objects with highlighter dust are to be removed before serving. Mostly used dissolved in alcohol to obtain a paint-like finish. 
• Edible glitter or fairy dust – is tiny flakes of shimmer that can be white or colored. Most of these are said to be edible because they are made from gelatin.

Here’s how to use cake decorating dusts:

• Choose the right dust: Select the dust color that suits your desired effect. There are various shades available, including metallic tones like gold, silver, and bronze, as well as an array of vibrant or pastel colors.
• Prepare the surface: Ensure that the surface you want to dust is dry. If using on fondant or gum paste decorations, let them air-dry or apply a thin layer of water or edible glue to adhere the dust.
• Apply the dust: There are a few methods to apply cake decorating dusts:
  • Dusting brush: Use a soft-bristled, food-safe brush, such as a small paintbrush or a dedicated dusting brush. Dip the brush into the dust and tap off any excess. Gently brush the dust onto the desired area, applying in a light, even layer. You can build up the intensity by adding more layers.
  • Pouncing method: For larger areas or more solid coverage, you can use a pouncing motion with a clean sponge or a makeup sponge. Dip the sponge into the dust, tap off the excess, and lightly press or pounce it onto the surface until you achieve the desired coverage.
  • Mixing with alcohol or extract: Some dusts can be mixed with a clear alcohol like vodka or with a flavor extract to create a paint-like consistency. Mix a small amount of dust with a few drops of alcohol or extract until you achieve the desired consistency, then use a brush to apply the mixture onto the decoration.
• Blend and highlight: If desired, you can blend different dust colors together or add highlights by applying a lighter or contrasting color to specific areas. Use a clean brush to gently blend or layer the dusts to create dimension and depth.
• Set and finish: Once the dust has been applied and you are satisfied with the effect, let it air-dry or use a food-safe setting spray to help seal and preserve the dusted decorations.

Cake decorating dusts are a versatile tool for adding a touch of elegance and visual interest to your cake designs. Experiment with different colors and application techniques to create beautiful and customized decorations. Remember to always check that the dusts you are using are labeled as edible and safe for consumption.