How to decorate a cake
Basic tips
{Do...}
- Plan ahead. Sketch a design of your cake before you touch any icing. Decide what specific materials you will need, including different types of icing, colors, etc.
- Make flowers and other decorative pieces at least 3 days before you plan on using them on your cake. Make sure to store them in air-tight containers along with leftover gum paste and fondant so that they don't dry out.
- Always keep a lot of white icing in stock.
- Whip your icing before using it so that it's easier to spread and does not clog up your piping bag.
- Add small amounts of water (preferably through a spray bottle) to your icing if it's too thick.
- Put your cake on a table that rotates while you decorate it. This will add much ease and convenience.
- Clean your piping tips carefully after every use. Old icing is impossible to remove later on.
- Practice, practice, practice.
{Don't...}
- Get frustrated and go buy a cake from Publix.
- Have so much fun decorating that you drop out of school or quit work to decorate cakes all day.
- Let your friends and family tell you that you can't do it- you can!