Cake Decorating Books

Here’s one that not all the cake decorating books will tell you: Handwriting can be difficult

Here’s some tips on how to make it much, much easier

- Use a Writing Tip

While this seams like common sense, not everybody does this.

Not any tip will do, you need something nimble and agile.

The writing tip is perfect for this – it gives you flexibility and also the ability to write in the proper letters.

Having a proper set of tips is invaluable to the cake decorator – even from the perspective of if seeing a new idea in your cake decorating books and want to try it, you can avoid having to go to the store or pause your work.

- Write in BIG letters

Big letters are easier to fashion than small ones.

Remember that the icing drops slightly behind where you put it – therefore small letters are mistake prone.

Do not try to connect letters or words, and write upright. Slanted writing can be hard to see from a viewer perspective.

- If you do make a mistake

Mistakes are bound to happen. If they do, simply finish your piece, then freeze your cake.

Once the cake is frozen, you can take off any decoration errors with a toothpick.

Make sure the cake is frozen enough, otherwise the icing will smear.

Look through your cake decorating books for other handwriting tips – also look for how writing letters different ways affects your cake – you’ll be an expert with this in no time!

It’s been a busy week and you’re stuck for time?

Maybe you got sucked into another commitment and now you’re in need of a backup plan?

One of the tips the cake decorating books won’t teach you is if you’re still looking to customize your cake, try the idea of “semi-customizing”

It involves getting a pre-done cake and adding your own touches – with the right work, it can be just as good in much less time, and your guests will never know the difference!

- Supermarket

Most supermarkets have cakes that are semi-done – that is they are presentable cakes, fully iced, and with some decorations (usually a flower in the corner)

These are ready to be customized – usually there is a large white space where you can put your own information – whether it’s a person’s name, a specific design, or something else.

Usually supermarkets will not be able to make you a fully blank cake – almost all of them will come with the edges done and some decoration on the top.

If you are short for time, however, this is your best option – put your own writing and decorations on the top, and it is ready to present!

- Bakery

Any bakery that specializes in cakes should be able to offer you a blank piece to work with. This will usually involve as little the cake, and if necessary some minor icing done between the layers.

Alternatively, they can usually provide a fully iced, but bare cake.

While they are not always as “ready to pick up” as your local supermarket, they’re usually fresher and the ingredients of better quality.

If you’re looking to try new and different ideas for cake decorating, it’s a good idea to have a good relationship with these companies – while you may be taking some small business away from them, building a reputation for being knowledgeable about cake decorating in the local community is a great way for bakeries to grow. A bakery can teach you great tips that the cake decorating books won’t tell you about!

- Work Together

While cake decorating can lead to a competitive atmosphere, at times it can be easier to work together.

Is somebody else making a cake as well? It could be to your advantage to pair up – one person does the cake, the other the initial icing and foundation decorations.

Both can be still be customized to your liking, however as the amount of time it takes to make two cakes as opposed to one is almost the same, consider this idea for the next time you’re baking!

- Use Cake Decorating Books for Inspiration

Keep up to date with the latest in ideas and inspirations with great cake decorating books.

Even an amateur artist can turn a mediocre piece from a supermarket into a beautiful piece of work.

Improving something already there can be a creation in its own right!

In the world of cake decorating books, there is no brand name more praised than Wilton.

For anyone looking to start with cake decorating, the Wilton books are some of the best on the market – they deliver clear and concise instructions, and make it fun to learn! (the again, learning cake decorating is always fun – sometimes making a mistake and having to re-do a project can be a very tasty error!

For the introductory course, here’s what you’ll love most of all:

– The book is very easy to understand
– The pictures make learning easy
– You’ll quickly be able to start doing techniques such as shells, roses, making frosting, and filling pastry bags with little effort

If you’ve never decorated before, you really must have this book.

Not only does it teach technique, it also helps you get your decorating into action.

When starting, (or refreshing) it’s important to have clear and concise instructions that give you a good understanding and get you into action.

This book will stay close to your kitchen for a long time, and many experts still refer to it when looking to re-study the foundations of cake decorating.

Many cake decorating books get their ideas from the Wilton courses.

This book, like all their courses, will give you experience with professional tools, and a workbook to work from.

Right off the start, you are focused on creating a cake that is worth of presentation and consumption. You’ll be proud to present even your initial pieces.

One piece of advice is that it is helpful to buy all the necessary supplies that this book recommends.

Once you get in the art of cake decorating, the last thing you’ll want to do is have to run out to the store for more tools!

Even items you don’t think you’ll use will come in handy in the very near future.

As far as cake decorating books go, for beginners and professionals looking for a refresher, this is the best way to go.

There are so many cake decorating books on the market – here’s a summary of 4 great tips that will help you bump your skill level up!

- Allow extra time when preparing

This is one that too many cake decorating books leave out – but the ones that do include it make a proper point of it.

When decorating a cake, it is likely for some occasion – one that you are involved in planning or running.

Often, when the time for the event gets close, there are other responsibilities that creep up – somebody calls and needs directions, something needs attending to at the last minute.

Leaving extra time means that you aren’t rushed with those items or the cake decorating. It means that you’re able to fully focus on what you’re doing instead of rushing through your cake while trying to fix other things!

- Do a practice run before trying something new

If you’re looking to release a new idea, or style, make sure you try it the first time around to see if there are any kinks in the process – even the best recipe books sometimes have a way of missing out an important step or not properly identifying what needs to be done.

Doing a practice run means that you’re able to prepare for this situation, and that you can adjust and accommodate if anything needs to be changed.

As well, you get the benefit of having an extra cake around the house – always a good situation!

- Focus on simplicity

It is easy to amass the whole cake with decorations and icing.

It is hard to have less features and decorations, and more of a focus on presentation.

Simplicity, properly presented, can be even more dramatic than a cake full of features.

Look for where you can take things away to highlight the items you want to, where you can remove instead of add to your piece.

This will enhance its meaning at presentation time, and make you a better artist in the long term.

- Always read the instructions

Reading the instructions carefully ensures that you’re able to put your cake together with the least hassle. It also means that you’re not worried about a surprise that pops up at the last minute.

Keep in mind that it’s easier to spend a little extra on ingredients than it is to have to make a return trip to the store because you’re short on something.

As well, it’s easier to do it right the first time than it is to have to put your first creation aside, and in a panic put a second one together.

I always find that reading a good collection of cake decorating books is a great way to learn the craft and grow as an artist. The more you learn and practice, the better the product you’re able to create.