Everyone loves a good cake, especially during celebrations like birthdays or festive seasons. But besides tasting heavenly, what makes a cake even better is its beautiful design. These days, you’ll be able to order cakes online for delivery and find cakes with Instagram-worthy gradients, glossy glazes, and even the latest cartoon sensation for kids!
If you are thinking of trying your hands at making a cake for a special celebration, you can’t skip the decorating. Below, we’ve put together a quick tutorial on how to get started with cake decorating using buttercream – or any other cream with a similar texture.
1. Freeze the cake
Making a cake is tedious work, and you have to plan ahead if you want to do some serious decorating. We recommend doing the baking and decorating on two separate days so that you don’t tire yourself of doing everything in one day.
To do so, simply freeze the cake to work with later. This also makes the cake firmer and easier to work with, especially when you need to level the cake. The buttercream will also hold up better when the cake is cool.
2. Level the cake
A cake in its just-baked form usually has a dome-shaped top, but the typical cake you see in the bakery is always flat. What bakers have to do is cut off the top of the dome to make the surface flat. It would be best to use a long serrated knife to do this. For beginners, a flat cylinder shape is the easiest to work with as it ensures the cake does not wobble or slide.
3. Apply a crumb coat
A crumb coat is the initial layer of frosting that seals in the crumbs on the surface of the cake. This is a crucial step to avoid having visible crumbs on the outer layer of your frosting later on. To apply the crumb coat, spread on a very thin layer of buttercream, just enough to cover every surface on the top and sides of the cake. After applying this layer, pop the cake back into the fridge to let the frosting set for about 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Add more frosting
Now, here’s where the real frosting begins. Add more buttercream by placing a dollop on the top of the cake, then using a palette knife to spread the cream evenly. Then, proceed to the sides, using a cake smoother or palette knife to spread the cream smoothly. Frosting a cake is much easier with a cake turntable, but it is also possible to do it without one – it just requires a bit more patience!
5. Decorate the cake
Finally, you can add your own design to the top and sides of the cake. Place buttercream into a piping bag, and let the fun begin! Different designs can be achieved by using various piping tips and varying the pressure and speed of the application. For beginners, use a narrow, round tip for writing words and a star-shaped tip to make flower designs. You can also create abstract designs like dots, lines, or textured patterns.
Conclusion
Now that you have the basic idea of how to decorate your own cake, will you be trying it as a special surprise for a loved one’s birthday? Go as wild as you like and create your unique masterpiece!
Think cake decorating is too much effort? For the ones who prefer the convenience and a guaranteed yummy taste, we’ve got your back! Polar Puffs and Cakes’ online bakery in Singapore delivers our classic favourite whole cakes as well as seasonal specials to whet your appetite for cakes. Place your order in advance of any celebration to enjoy a feast for your eyes and taste buds – totally hassle-free!
