Cake decorating is not only an interesting hobby…
It is also has interesting history…
Are you curious?
Though it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when it began….
According to historians, the practice of decorating cakes began somewhere…
…in the 17th Century. (If you’re like me and don’t recall history class very well…
…think Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War).
Approximately around the same time…
…cake pans became a common household item in Europe…
Cake decorating would soon become a popular way…
…to impress wealthy guests at banquets and dinner parties.
Interesting, right?
The first known recipe book was published by Eliza Smith in 1806…
It contained instructions on how to make various types…
…of cakes including sponge cakes, angel food cakes, pound cakes, etc.
The recipes were written as if they had been handed down…
…from generation to generation. They also included tips…
….such as “the more eggs used, the lighter will be your cake.”
In 1847, Charles Elmé Francatelli wrote his famous cookbook…
…called Modern Cookery: A New Family Receipt Book which is considered…
…one of the most influential books ever written about baking.
He introduced many new techniques that are still being practiced today…
One example is using egg yolks instead of whole eggs…
First, Let’s hear Lindsey’s experience…
As a cake decorator, I was mesmerized by how cake…
…could be decorated in so many different ways.
My frosting always looked even and I wondered how I stacked my layers so neatly…
Most of all, I wondered why the hell my freaking cakes didn’t look the same!
I would like to share my tips and tricks on how to start making…
…your cakes look better after 10 years of cake decorating experience and pastry school.
With just a few tools, you can get started on your cake decorating journey. In fact, you may already have a few of these items lying around the kitchen.
Cake Decorating Tips
Let’s start from the basic…
How Cake Decorating is Born
The modern art of cake decorating began only in the 19th century…
During the 1840’s, the production of baking powder rose…
…& temperature-controlled ovens became available…
…making cake baking easier. In turn, presentation and design became more important.
In France at this time, desserts were served as a separate course…
…and it is thought that France is where the trend began.
Despite the lack of facts surrounding these claims…
…many believe that cake decorating originated in a French bakery.
It was thought that the clever baker began…
….decorating cakes to raise the price of them.
Go on!
Old Cake Decorating Methods
Have you ever tried making a cake…
…on a shoestring budget and thought that it was hard?
Thanks your lucky stars you weren’t a baker during the 19th century!
A majority of cake decorating back in the 1840’s involved…
…dimensional decorations over piping.
Cakes were covered in rolled fondant with carefully piped borders…
…in an old English method, which was far from simple.
Some of the cake decorating tools used back then are still in use today…
…according to Ernest Schulbe’s book Advanced Piping and Modelling.
Back then, however, they were made from bone instead of plastic….
Cake Decorating Tutorials Begin
The first cake decorating classes began in 1929…
Many chefs have been taught effective cake decorating style…
…by the Wilton School since it opened.
Joseph Lambeth wrote the Lambeth Method of Cake Decoration…
…and Practical Pastries a few years after the school opened.
A now classic book of step-by-step cake decorating instructions…
…for cake decorators. Lambeth’s methods revolutionized…
…the way cakes were decorated.
Keep reading…
Modern Cake Decorating
Cake decorating has developed remarkably in such a short period of time…
…despite being one of the newest culinary arts.
Modern-day cakes can stand ten feet tall, resemble animals…
…people, characters, and objects, and even incorporate mechanics…
…from simple patterns in the 19th Century.
Even though we do have a lot better equipment than most of our ancestors…
…we still have to deal with many first world problems…
The Professional Cake Decorating Techniques You Must Know!
1. Master the Art of Royal Icing.
With hand-piped royal icing lace, this elegant 4-tiered cake is beautifully decorated….
It’s common for people to be scared of handling royal icing, but time…
…patience, a steady hand, and a little know-how will help you pipe…
…intricate lace on your own gorgeous designs. Due to the royal piping detail…
…the cake above is given an extra lift and wow-factor.
2. Learn Advanced Piping Techniques.
Lambeth Method piping is another impressive technique…
Once you feel comfortable working with royal icing…
…we recommend learning the Lambeth technique!
Using this style of piping creates a dramatic effect that is sure to impress all viewers.
Cakes like this one are great examples of how to balance…
…understated elegance and detail just right!
The delicate piping at the base paired with the swags…
…and fleur-de-lis emblems at the top; doesn’t it look like a fine china trinket box?
3. Create stunning sugar flowers.
It’s definitely a rewarding and fun skill to have under your belt…
…as a cake decorator to create beautiful and realistic sugar flowers.
Watching gorgeous gum paste flowers take form…
….right before your very eyes is a thrill…
even more so when they’re made by your own hands!
Just look at these stunning sugar flowers that adorn the cake pictured above.
Not only are they stunning, but they were crafted entirely by hand!
Let’s move one!
4. Add Cake Sculpting to Your List of Accomplishments.
If you want to become a professional cake decorator…
…you really need to master how to carve, sculpt and create realistic and sleek cakes.
When it comes to ordering bespoke cakes, presenting a cake…
…that looks as stunning as the one above is sure to put you at the top of everyone’s list!
5. Discover Hand Painting Techniques.
Hand-painting on paper, let alone cakes, can be daunting…
…but as a wise person once said, “Every expert was once a beginner.”
Practice, practice, and practice some more!
Once you get comfortable, you’ll enjoy painting colorful blossoms…
…scenes, animals, and even people on your creations.
6. Get Creative With Fondant
Working with fondant is a fantastically versatile…
…and playful way to grow your skill set.
From creating adorable fondant animals and figures…
…to adding drapes and ruffles to wedding cakes…
…fondant is a wonderful medium that can be used so many ways.
In the cake above, the bottom tier is encircled by fondant ruffled rosettes.
It has a lovely texture and romantic look to it…
Our Articles About Cake Decorating
Cake Decorating Kit On Amazon: Start To Make An Astonishing Cake! (2021)
It’s a well-known fact that the best way to celebrate…
…any occasion is with cake. And while we all know…
…how to make one from scratch (or at least are capable…
.. of doing so), it can be fun to give your culinary skills…
…a little shake-up and try something new.
Cake decorating kit is easy to find on Amazon. With everything…
…you need an eye-catching cake in one convenient package…
…think sprinkles, frosting pens, pastry bags, you’re set up for…
…success right out of the gate. In our opinion, there’s no better…
…time than now to start making an astonishing cake!
Kosbon Cake Decorating Kit, The Ultimate Review For You! (2021)
You will find everything you need for baking…
…and decorating in the KOSBON Cake Decorating Kit.
From baking to final touches in decoration, this set has all the tools needed…
Amazing Basic Cake Decorating Kit You Must Have! (2021)
Like having the right ingredients will ensure you get a great tasting cake…
…having the right tools will ensure you end up with a gorgeous cake as well!
You could spend your money on so many fun tools and gadgets…
…but you don’t need them all to get started.
Sum Up
With our Cake Decorating program…
…you will learn both traditional cake artistry…
…and modern trends in cake decorating! From piping basics…
…to advanced sugar work, you’ll learn a variety of techniques and methods.
In addition to learning how to make sculpted, tiered, and custom cakes…
…you will also learn basic business management skills…
….so that you can run your own cake decorating business!
Conclusion
Cake decorating is a rewarding and downright creative profession…
…with so many innovative techniques to master.
We are constantly faced with projects we can’t wait to get started as decorators…
Tell us, which technique do you like to use the most?
Do you have a particular craft that excites you, if you are new to the craft?
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Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
