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!
I teach a food processing class for a lifelong learning program and I tell students all the time to collaborate, you may enjoy going it alone but you will be further working as a team. I have bakers who purchase cases of products to cut cost and collaborate on projects. It is really a good thing!