Anyone in here decorate cakes?

[cheerful chickadee]

So glad I found this thread. My DD's 1st B-Day is in Sept. and I've decided to attempt making her cake. I'm still undecided on theme but this past weekend I tried a ladybug cake. I baked the cake in a pyrex bowl (took forever) to get the ladybug body shape. I used store bought frosting to frost the cake and put between the 3 layers I cut. I didn't want to waste good buttercream on a "practice" cake. I had to use ALOT of red food color to get the frosting remotely red and you can see it bled into the cake. For the official cake I would use white buttercream in between the layers. I also think instead of doing a big lump of fondant for the head I will bake a smaller cake and then detach that to use as DD's "smash" cake. Ignore the messy table, my ds was chomping at the bit to taste test the cake so I had to snap a few quick pics before he cut into it.

I too was hesitant of fondant but it wasn't that bad at all, it took a long time to get it to the red I wanted. I think it came out pretty good for my first time using fondant. I don't like the taste of fondant but it's so pretty to decorate with. I found a recipe for marshmallow fondant that they say doesn't taste too bad, might try that.

I LOVE that red and white Minnie cake!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

I did these roses today, but I did them on a dowel, not a flower nail. They went so much faster!!! I loved how fast they went once you got going

I have no cakes planned this week I don't know what I'll do with myself....

 

[Disneynutbsv]

You got a nice red on that ladybug!! Looks great!

 

[MrsKreamer]

My interview with Michael's today went great! Pending the results of the personality test, I have the job! Hopfully I can get everything processed quickly because they need me to start in July.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

My interview with Michael's today went great! Pending the results of the personality test, I have the job! Hopfully I can get everything processed quickly because they need me to start in July.

Very cool!

 

[Chelle1971]

I did these roses today, but I did them on a dowel, not a flower nail. They went so much faster!!! I loved how fast they went once you got going

I have no cakes planned this week I don't know what I'll do with myself....

Did you use Royal Icing or butter cream? Mine start out looking like that and then melt.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Did you use Royal Icing or butter cream? Mine start out looking like that and then melt.

Buttercream...I hate and detest royal icing, it tastes yucky. Just make sure its stiff

 

[ariel2007]

OK I have been looking through this thread and think this is the best place to ask for some help. I decided I would like to start decorating cakes, only as a hobby, mainly because I am bored and quite creative and found this idea quite inspiring. I am planning on getting a book but for now thought that maybe you guys could help. I can bake a cake but so far that is as much as I know, in other words I am a total beginner and would love some advice.

First off is the fondant you talk about the same as icing, and is this the stuff that you get on pre-made cakes in supermarkets? I decided to try and decorate a cake the other day and brought some pre-made, pre-rolled icing to cover the cake and it worked quite well. But I would really like to know how to make coloured icing and whether you can just colour pre-made icing?

To make figures, flowers etc to put onto cakes what do you use and how do you stick them on? As you can see I am a real beginner so any help at all would be deeply appreciated.

 

[Chelle1971]

I haven't worked with fondant my self yet but I do know that you can by it Pre-colored. I buy most of my stuff at Hobby lobby ... and if you watch for sales coupons they run Wilton supplies 50% off or coupons for 50% any one item that isn't already on sale. I have been very lucky when it comes to books... My mom has saved all of the books from Wilton since I was a kid... granted we are missing a few years now and then but you can get lots of ideas off of there website. Lots of Tip and techniques for icings, decorating flowers and such are on their website. I have found that all of the tips and techniques that are in Their magazines are also on the website. You just have to hunt around.

Your questions that I can answer:
The stuff you rolled out is fondant. Depending on how much time I have and if I have a coupon I buy the Wilton Ready ice... Homemade butter cream tastes better but I don't always have the time and I wait until I have a coupon and get the big bucket and it works Fantastic. To color the icing I get Wilton colors and use a tooth pick... Here is a lesson me and some of my friends didn't learn for a while. if you need Black Icing for something Start with chocolate Icing and add black coloring... If you start with white icing it will taste NASTY by the time you keep adding black and it will still have a gray tint to it.

Your question about the figures to be put on the cake I am not sure about... and would actually like to know my self. If you are only using icing for decorations and icing then your "GLUE" is icing.

 

[Chelle1971]

Buttercream...I hate and detest royal icing, it tastes yucky. Just make sure its stiff

Thanks for the tip.... Do you stiffen with Meringue powder?


Also...I am so excited I decide to sign my Daughter up for a few craft things for our local fair.... And I actually signed my self up for a wedding cake and a birthday cake entry as well!!!! I signed up for the divisions where you can't use fondant or gum paste... I figured that best since I still haven't tried them.... I want to do a Mickey B-day cake and a Not sure on the wedding cake... I will take any suggestions you all have.

 

[ariel2007]

I haven't worked with fondant my self yet but I do know that you can by it Pre-colored. I buy most of my stuff at Hobby lobby ... and if you watch for sales coupons they run Wilton supplies 50% off or coupons for 50% any one item that isn't already on sale. I have been very lucky when it comes to books... My mom has saved all of the books from Wilton since I was a kid... granted we are missing a few years now and then but you can get lots of ideas off of there website. Lots of Tip and techniques for icings, decorating flowers and such are on their website. I have found that all of the tips and techniques that are in Their magazines are also on the website. You just have to hunt around.

Your questions that I can answer:
The stuff you rolled out is fondant. Depending on how much time I have and if I have a coupon I buy the Wilton Ready ice... Homemade butter cream tastes better but I don't always have the time and I wait until I have a coupon and get the big bucket and it works Fantastic. To color the icing I get Wilton colors and use a tooth pick... Here is a lesson me and some of my friends didn't learn for a while. if you need Black Icing for something Start with chocolate Icing and add black coloring... If you start with white icing it will taste NASTY by the time you keep adding black and it will still have a gray tint to it.

Your question about the figures to be put on the cake I am not sure about... and would actually like to know my self. If you are only using icing for decorations and icing then your "GLUE" is icing.

Thanks for the info. I actually just brought some coloring from the supermarket and added it to the icing I had and it worked really well color wise. However it did go really sticky

 

[MosMom]

You can also just color your icing moderately black to retain texture and flavor. Then let it sit overnight and the color will darken considerably. The color company you choose has a big part to play in taste and how much color you need too. Wilton isn't the best of them. Just some more tips for those wanting black but not chocolate buttercream.

 

[Chelle1971]

You can also just color your icing moderately black to retain texture and flavor. Then let it sit overnight and the color will darken considerably. The color company you choose has a big part to play in taste and how much color you need too. Wilton isn't the best of them. Just some more tips for those wanting black but not chocolate buttercream.

What name brand do you recommend? I LOVE the tips!!!

 

[Scambone]

I just bought a mini 3-d bear cake pan. When I feel better I plan on making some. I'm going to make each one of my friends their own.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Ok, I'm reporting in on the Beater Blade! Wow Wow WOW!!!
This is amazing. I made my icing (but the Sugarshack way where you fill up the bowl all the way using 4 1/2 pounds of ps) and there were no bubbles, no air and it was completely smooth....without scraping the bowl!!! I have a 4.5 quart mixer and it worked great!

http://www.beaterblade.com/categories/home/welcome.htm

I know you can get it on Amazon.com

 

[Chelle1971]

Ok, I'm reporting in on the Beater Blade! Wow Wow WOW!!!
This is amazing. I made my icing (but the Sugarshack way where you fill up the bowl all the way using 4 1/2 pounds of ps) and there were no bubbles, no air and it was completely smooth....without scraping the bowl!!! I have a 4.5 quart mixer and it worked great!

http://www.beaterblade.com/categories/home/welcome.htm

I know you can get it on Amazon.com

Thanks!!! I am wanting a counter top mixer what do you recommend for that.... I have heard good things about Kitchen Aid but they are awful expensive.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

Thanks!!! I am wanting a counter top mixer what do you recommend for that.... I have heard good things about Kitchen Aid but they are awful expensive.

That's what I have and it works awesome! I've had it for YEARS!!

 

[scarlett873]

I love my Kitchen Aid! I only wish I could get a bigger one...lol

I will be purchasing that beater thing though! That looks handy as heck!!

 

[Chelle1971]

I am so excited I just bought a Heavy Duty Kitchen Aid mixer 5qt brand new in unopened box for the cheaper than the walmart models. I will have it in time to for the cakes I am doing for the fair. I guess I need to get that beater now!!!

 

[cryssi]

Ok, I'm reporting in on the Beater Blade! Wow Wow WOW!!!
This is amazing. I made my icing (but the Sugarshack way where you fill up the bowl all the way using 4 1/2 pounds of ps) and there were no bubbles, no air and it was completely smooth....without scraping the bowl!!! I have a 4.5 quart mixer and it worked great!

http://www.beaterblade.com/categories/home/welcome.htm

I know you can get it on Amazon.com

WOW I definitely need one of these!