Cake Decoration Supplies

Everyone loves weddings, and perhaps one of the best parts of the reception besides everyone dancing, is the wedding cake. For anyone in the cake making industry, you know that fondant adds a timeless look to the cake and this cake decoration option truly gives a cake a look to remember. Using fondant can be tricky and takes a lot of practice.

Fondant can be purchased at a local cake decorating store or you can make it yourself if you choose to do so. This is a great way to add class and elegance to any cake for a wedding or any other occasion for that matter.

What is Fondant?

Simply put, this cake decoration is sugar based and is a form of icing that is rolled out to a desired thickness. It’s laid over the top of the cake and is smoothed and pressed to the perfect fit. Excess is trimmed and it gives a classic look. This is again something very tricky to work with, so you should practice over and over again if you have a wedding cake to make that requires it.

Storage

This cake decoration should be stored in a bag or you should opt for covering it in a container that is tightly sealed. Avoid putting it in the refrigerator. If you go to use it and it has dried out, you can microwave it for a few seconds to get it soft once again.

Use it Quickly

Once you are ready to use your Fondant, you are going to need to do so in a hurry. This is because it dries out fast and if you try using it when it’s drying out, there are going to be cracks and this can be hard to fix. Once it’s rolled out and kneaded to the desired thickness, it’s best to get it on the cake within a 5 minute time
frame.

Ice Individually

Many cakes have different tiers to them and if you are going to be using Fondant, ice each one of the tiers separately. Don’t prepare all the Fondant and try to rush through getting each iced in time. Take your time and once each tier is iced, you should store them separately to prevent the Fondant from touching and tearing or cracking.

In case there are any errors or cracks, consider adding border decorations with a contrasting color Fondant. This can add even more elegance but don’t get too carried away and make sure the entire cake matches. If  there’s a tear on one corner and you add something to that corner, add it to all other corners.
Fondant can be simple to use after you get the hang of it. You should always make sure it’s being used at room temperature for better results. Always make sure your rolling pin, hands, and working surface are cleared off and clean to prevent air bubbles or other particles getting caught in the icing. Fondant is a classic look or wedding cakes, and when done properly gives it a timeless look that can’t be beat.

Cakes are created for a number of different reasons or occasions and cake decoration supplies are needed in the process. Regardless of what the cake is for, there are a number of tools that can make your life easier. Some cakes require different ideas and decorating and that’s why it’s better to be prepared. The last thing you want is to leave halfway through decorating and making your cake to try and find the necessary tools.

Create a List

One of the first things to do is to ensure you have a list of all cake decorating supplies you might need for your present cake project as well as future ones. If you do cake decorating for a living, think about what tools you need. There are specific cake supply stores that have everything you could possibly need. You can shop around online in advance that way you aren’t rushing. Consider ordering catalogs and magazines that show the many tools you can choose from.

Basic Tools Needed

A few of the basics that you should always have in your kitchen are cake stands, spatulas, and piping bags among other items. These are basics for decorating your cake and presenting it. Cake stands that swivel are great for frosting or icing a cake as you can turn the cake according to the area you are working on.
Spatulas of different sizes are great for different cake sizes. Some smaller cakes will only lead to a big mess if you use a larger spatula for frosting it. You can find piping bags as well as frosting tips which are great for little designs such as flowers or buds to border your cake. These tips come in a number of shapes and sizes allowing you to truly personalize your cake how you want.

While these are just a few of the basics, there are a number of other cake decorating supplies that can come in handy. Some people have supplies at home that they may have never thought of using which is great for saving on money.

Presentation Supplies

For presentation purposes, there are a number of ideas that you may have in your own kitchen. If you’re responsible for making the holiday deserts, you might have a cake stand or plate that has leave designs on it or even is a color for the fall such as oranges or yellows. You can dress these plates up with frosting tips to create frosting leaves and more.

For winter, you can go out to your own backyard and gather a few pine cones and gather them around the base of your cake stand. This adds personality and a unique look that can’t be found elsewhere.

When it comes to presentation of your cake, using your imagination is often best. This allows you to use your creativity and you might just find that you have a hidden talent. There are catalogs to help and the internet is full of cake decoration supplies to fit your budget and needs in the future.

When it comes to cake decoration, there are a number of things that could go wrong, however if you are careful, they can be avoided. One of the biggest things that tend to happen from the get-go is that the cake is not cooked or prepared properly. You want a cake that’s going to hold its shape to allow for better icing and decorating. You don’t want a cake that’s going to collapse halfway through icing it. Therefore, making sure your cake is cooked properly is key. Here are a few other mistakes to avoid when baking cakes.

Don’t rush the process. It can be hard to take your time especially if you are baking a cake for an occasion and we told about it last minute, or perhaps you forgot, but the important thing to do is to take your time. if your cake isn’t cooked all the way through, you are going to run into issues with it collapsing as well.

Not many people can pick up cake making and cake decoration in a flash. There are many that have to make a few cakes before they can get a hold of cake making. Practice makes perfect and this goes especially if you are going to be dealing with fondant or other cake decorating ideas. It certainly is not as easy as it looks. Take your time and don’t try anything new if you are making cakes for a big occasion.

Avoid filling your cake too much. Many try layered cakes and they put way too much filling inside. If you are making a cake like this for family or friends it may not be too bad, however if you are making it and being paid for it, you might want to avoid it unless you are asked. This is because they get messy over time, and if you are going to fill them, use sparingly. A little bit of filling goes a long way.

Don’t freeze your cake. Many feel this can preserve the cake and in fact once you need to thaw it out everything tends to melt and run down the cake. This is especially true with icing and doing icing around the border for design. This could also lead to your cake drying out making it not as tasty.
If you are going to freeze it, you need to wrap it properly. Use three or four layers of plastic wrap to lock in moisture. You should wrap it all in foil afterwards and this keeps it at its best while in the freezer. This also helps it stay in better shape and tasting just as good when it thaws out.

Cake decoration mistakes can be avoided as long as you take proper steps. There are many that are careless and the most important thing is to take your time when creating delicious cakes for friends or family or even if you are doing it for money. Everyone loves cakes, so try and try again!

Picture from http://anebolosdecorados.blogspot.com

Cakes are great for a number of reasons and they are seen at a number of occasions from birthdays to weddings. Many are intimidated to make one, and there are several cake decoration ideas that can help along the way. Cake decorating no longer has to be left to the pros, and all that’s needed is the time and dedication to make it work. The biggest thing to keep in mind is to never rush. Make sure you have adequate time to avoid a sloppy cake. Here are a few great tips to help you make your next cake look fabulous.

The Icing

When you make your cake, the common mistake many people make is to begin icing the cake right away. The cake’s still warm and anything applied to it is going to melt. This means the frosting could turn into a big puddle of liquid. That’s the last thing you want. Give your cake a few hours before applying the icing. When you do, make sure it’s a nice even layer. It helps avoid empty spots and ensures proper coverage all over the cake.
To help get better icing coverage, you might want to get a cake stand. This allows you to get the bottom of the cake and not miss any spots. After you’ve applied your icing, use a flat knife to even it all out. Cake stands that swivel are great for this step.

Decorating the Cake

The next step that many try to tackle is decorating. There are a number of cake decoration stencils you can choose from that make it easier than freehand decorating. Stencils typically are pressed against the cake and you can apply a different colored icing and remove the stencil.
There are some that opt for using freehand decorating with cake decorating bags. This allows you to put your desired icing in a clear piping bag and choose a designed tip. These can be flowered or fancy borders. You can really dress your cake up or down with them.

There are additionally molds or other shapes that can be simply placed on your cake for added style and professional looking cakes. If you’re decorating a cake for the holidays, you can find molds in the form of snowflakes or Christmas trees. Try to keep it simple without going overboard. Too much makes it look cheap and over-decorated. Think about where you want your decorations to go before placing them on your cake to avoid the frosting or icing being ruined.

These cake decoration tips can help you create masterpiece cakes regardless of the occasion. It doesn’t take a genius to create beautiful cakes, and while you may not be a pro, practice can make perfect. You’ll be one step closer the more cakes you create. Decorations and other items are not expensive so this can turn into a great hobby for someone. Who knows, you may be the one who makes the cakes for all the family gatherings and holiday events!