FIX THIS - If you've resigned yourself to purchasing store-bought cakes for the rest of your family occasions instead of stepping foot in the kitchen to bake one yourself, this article is for you.
That's because decorating a cake is easier than you might think.
Not all of us are born Betty Crocker, however. Natalie Thompson, a culinary demonstrator at Johnson and Wales University in Denver shared some tips on how to finish off your cakes to perfection... or at least pretty close.
1. Know your strengths
Keep it simple, start small and work on building up your skills over time.
Just because you saw it on Pinterest does not mean it is easy!
2. You don't need fancy equipment
You can use cookie cutters you already have to make fondant shapes to decorate your cake.
Use a plastic storage bag with the tip cut out instead of a piping bag.
Use a lazy susan instead of a cake table to turn your cake as you are frosting it.
You can use anything with a flat surface - a ruler, the back of a serrated knife - to spread your frosting.
3. Work cleanly
Clean up all your cake crumbs from the table or counter before you start icing your cake.
First, put a 'crumb coat' of frosting on your cake. Let it sit or refrigerate it, then top it with your final frosting coat. That way, no unsightly crumbs make it through your finished cake.
4. Fondant is not for beginners
If you want to use fondant, start by using cookie-cutter cut outs (or trace a shape on parchment paper) to get used to the texture of it before covering entire cakes.
Keep fondant covered with plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out, it should stay moist to be pliable.
Use fondant at room temperature.
5. Have fun
The moment you start getting stressed and aren't having fun, set the spatula down.
Remember whoever you are making the cake for is probably just thrilled you are baking for them - your family and friends will still love you even if your cake isn't perfect.
Pro tips:
- When your cake comes out of the oven, let it sit in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing it. Then, cool your cake upside-down to get a nice, flat surface for frosting on top.
- Start by putting your frosting on the top of the cake, spread it there, then move to the sides, letting some of the extra icing on top slide down the sides.
- Your cake should be cool to the touch before frosting. You can even bake it the night before.
- Buttercream frosting is best spread at room temperature.
- You can now find fondant at some grocery stores.
- Refrigerate cakes with cream cheese frosting, other cakes can stay out at room temperature.