Amature Cake Decorating Tutorials For Beginners

cake decorating how to

In honor of my 26th birthday, I present to you this cake decorating how to for beginners. Think of it as an amateur's guide to Birthday Cake Decorating.

I made my first cake when I was 6 years old. I bought a cookbook for kids from a Scholastic book order. It wasn't the best cake. Over the past 20 years, I've picked up a few tips here and there.

I am all for the whimsical, non-traditional birthday cakes. I've been turned off lately by perfectly shaped flowers ala grocery store bakery cakes. (Maybe this is because I have no clue how to make one?) I love the idea of a cake looking somewhat "rough" and homemade.

When I decided one day to make my own wedding cake, I realized that I needed to do a little research on cake decorating. I went to my local library and checked out every book I could on cake decorating. Then my step-mother graciously gave me her set of Wilton tips and gel icing colors. It wasn't perfect, but I did it. And it was very special.

Since then I have done a number of commissioned cakes for friends, family, and neighbors. Each time I learn what to do differently the next time and get a little better.

cake decorating how to

Here is where I would start:

-Buy some decorator tips—not a whole set, just a few basic ones to start. Wilton is a great source for that. Find them online or in any craft of party supply store.

-Don't worry about buying expensive pastry bags. I often use freezer Ziploc bags (because they are a little heavier). It makes for very easy clean-up.

-Find a picture of a cake you like and copy it.

cake decorating how to

-Practice! Make some icing and practice piping on a piece of parchment paper. Get a feel for which tips you like and the pressure you need to have on a bag and the consistency of icing.

-Experiment with different kinds of icings—it's not all about piping. Not all icing is meant to be piped.

-Look for these icing recipes:
Seven-minute
Cream cheese
Chocolate Fudge
Ganaches
Glazes

-Play around with different types of cakes, too. Experiment with different fillings.

-Be creative! Explore! Personalize your cakes according to your own tastes and interests!

If I can do it, you can TOTALLY do it. It's fun — like art class. Only you can lick your fingers! And this cake decorating how-to is only the beginning. Pretty soon it will be a "piece of cake."

Credits: Written by Lindsey Rose Johnson. Photos too! Don't miss Lindsey's full birthday cake tutorial with lots of photos.