A cake is often the center of birthday parties.The birthday boy or girl blows out the candles to make a wish as everyone gathers around the cake.You can make it even more magical by making your own cake!It can be fairly simple to make a jaw-dropping cake.You don't need much more than the right supplies, some patience, and a little creativity to make a cake that no one will remember.
Step 1: Prepare a cake theme.
The person the cake is intended for is likely to affect your decisions here.You might use that person's favorite color as the color scheme of your cake, but you should also think about favorite activities, like sports, or characters from favorite books and TV shows.Pick out features that will be easy to recreate on your cake when you base it around a favorite book, TV show, or character.Lego figurines can be used to decorate a Harry Potter themed cake.Pink frosting can be used to create a bow for a cake.
Step 2: Have a plan for any messages on your cake.
It can be difficult to write with icing.It is easy to miss letters that are too small.Writing too big can leave your message incomplete or throw off the balance of your cake.To get a feel for the spacing and size of the letters in your message, use a pencil and a piece of scrap paper.You could use your pencil copy as a stencil to practice writing.Use a piping bag to follow the letters of your message, and mix up some extra frosting.You can check out how to write with frosting.
Step 3: If you're a newcomer to cake writing, make a stencil.
Write out your message and then cut it out with scissors.You can set your stencil off to the side once you have cut the shape of your message into your paper.When you're ready to write your message, you should place your stencil close to the surface of the icing where you will be writing, and then dust it with powdered sugar.You can get a powdered sugar guide for cake writing.
Step 4: You should check the levelness of the cake.
You won't have to worry about decorations sliding down a sloped portion of your cake if you use a flat top.If your cake has a crown, you can correct it by putting a plate on top of it after you press down on it.You can check the levelness of your cake by putting a piece of cardboard on top of it.The cake is level if the cardboard is flat.The flattest possible cake will be ensured by using a small carpenter's level.It's possible that your oven temperature is the cause of your cake.If your oven temperature is too high, double-check it with an oven thermometer.
Step 5: Allow the cake to cool down.
A melty mess can be created when frosting is applied while the cake is still warm.Your cake will be less sound if it is still cooling.You can cool your cake by removing it from the oven and putting it on a cooling rack.The cake should be moved to the refrigerator to aid cooling.Two layers of plastic wrap will keep your cake from drying out.For another two hours, return your cake to the refrigerator.
Step 6: Take your cake decorating supplies with you.
There are many different ways to decorate a birthday cake.There are some that are inedible, like figurines and models.You'll probably want to have chocolate chips, glitter, food coloring, and a piping bag on hand.
Step 7: If you want to prevent frosting from splattering, use wax or parchment paper.
There are dribbles of icing around the base of the cake.To create a clean edge between your cake and the surface it rests on, place the corners of four pieces of wax or parchment paper under the cake so the paper skirts the bottom edges.You should be able to remove drips and messy frosting from the cake's base by pulling the paper out.
Step 8: A crumb coat protects your frosting.
A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting on top of the main frosting.crumbs can get stuck in your frosting, making it look less than great.Your crumb coat will keep your main layer of frosting clean and professional.Spread your frosting with a knife or offset spatula until you can see the cake underneath.Before you start on your main layer of frosting, give your crumb coat a few minutes to set.
Step 9: Either buy some icing or make it yourself.
It is fairly easy to make a delicious buttercream frosting.You should check out how to make icing or frosting for more complicated versions.The following recipe only needs to be beaten together to a consistency in a mixing bowl.
Step 10: You have to frost your cake evenly.
If you want to keep your frosting equally distributed, you should start from the top and spread small amounts of frosting across your cake with your knife or offset spatula.Continue to spread the frosting on your cake until it is completely frosted, if you scoop it from the container or mixing bowl with your knife or spatula.Don't apply too much frosting at once.It can be hard to get an even look.Wait until the top of your cake is done.This will give you a consistent look for your cake.
Step 11: Purchase a bag or make one.
You can fill a piping bag with frosting.The end of the bag should be cut to create a nozzle.If you squeeze the bag, you can force your icing out in a controlled stream.You can make a homemade piping bag with a plastic bag if you can't find a suitable bag at the grocery store.seal the top firmly by putting icing in your baggie.The tip of the baggie needs to be cut off.Your bag is done.
Step 12: Write with frosting if you model your messages.
Beginning pipers may not feel confident piping a message onto a cake.If you're one of those people, you might want to use a toothpick to draw out the message in your frosting.You can follow your sketch with a piping bag.
Step 13: Add information and a message to your bag.
The end of your piping bag can be used to direct your frosting, or you can buy special tips to create special effects.Round tips, which are suited for lines, dots, and writing messages, are one of the special effect tips you can use with your piping bag.Star tips are used to create stars shapes, decorative shells, flowers, borders, and rosettes.lattices and lines that mimic ribbons are made with basket-weave tips.
Step 14: Add other designs to your cake by bordering it.
You may need to wait until you graduate from beginner before you tackle any designs that are too complex, but with your piping bag, you can create all sorts of shapes and designs.The hardened sugar substance called fondant can be used to make designs.You could even try: Icing flowers.
Step 15: You can give your cake an extra appeal by decorating it.
You can use decorative candies to dress up your cake in the baking section of most grocery stores.Candy beads, sprinkles, and other special confectioner ornaments can change your cake from simply delicious to dazzling.
Step 16: A thin layer of glitter hides flaws.
You can use glitter to give your cake a magical touch, and also use it to hide small inconsistencies in your frosting.If you want to impress everyone, you can simply dust the surface of your cake with a thin layer of glitter.You can use glitter to create shapes and patterns on your cake.
Step 17: Adding candy to your design is a good idea.
There are pieces of Kit-Kat that can be used to create a border.Stick the wafers of the candy one or two at a time to the frosting on the side of your cake until it is completely bordered.Birthday cakes can include M&Ms.These can be used to spell out a message or create a special design.
Step 18: The cake should be topped with toys.
This is a better way to indicate a favorite character or series than drawing a picture freehand.Consider using Lego models.They are small enough to fit in the icing of your cake.
Step 19: Take a look at the birthday boy or girl's face.
When the recipient sees the beautiful cake you've created, there's nothing better than the look of pure gratitude.You can place candles in the cake, sing happy birthday, and share your creation with your guests.