My Cake Decorating Ideas

Candles create excitement, whether with children, or adults. Blowing candles out makes a special celebration of any event.
There are many types of candles on the market, and many different colours. Always make sure the colour of the candles blends with the decoration on the cake. Although candles aren’t normally seen on wedding anniversary cakes, red, gold or silver candles on these cakes would make a talking point.
Make sure candles stay upright. Instead of than pushing them into the cake surface, place them in a candleholder. Candleholders are available to match the colour of the candles. They are also sold in gold and silver. Candles look better if grouped together – it gives them more impact, and make it easier to blow out in one puff!
And on a grown-ups cake candles look more interesting if they are cut to slightly different levels.

Self-lighting candles give everyone a surprise, especially the person who is trying to blow them out, and finds the candles re-light themselves again and again!
Twisted (spiral) candles are another choice. They look best on a simply decorated cake. Chunky candles in the shape of a number give impact on a cake, and children love them. They even go up to the age of fifty! If there isn’t any room on top of the cake, candles can be placed on the board. Cut the spike off a candleholder and stick down with strong glue. Or, pipe a star shape in stiff royal icing and place the candle into it.
Run-outs (colourflow) candles can be either flat on the cake surface or upright. Make the flame of yellow icing, and immediately flood in a small amount of red and swirl it around with a cocktail stick.
Finally, another type of homemade candle, but this time, one that can be lit. Mould a piece of marzipan until it is free of cracks and roll into a sausage shape. Cut one end at a slant and stick a flaked almond in. Because the almond contains oil, it will light.

About the Author

Pat Lock is a cake decorating expert with over 25 years experience who runs the excellent Cake-Decorating-Tips.com website. She has won awards at the prestigious international competition at Hotel Olympia, London and is also an accomplished author.
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Article published on September 03, 2007 at Isnare.com

I am no baker.That is I’d by no means put myself forward as a cook at all, unless you’d call making spaghetti and browning minced-meat for bolognaise sauce culinary achievements.However, there’s something about special occasions that brings the frustrated pastry chef out of me and sends me galoping into the kitchen, my head jammed with intricate cake decorating ideas.
It all started when my wife was approaching her thirtieth birthday. I decided to mark her entry into her fourth decade by baking her an amazing cake.I imagined her admiring gaze as she watched me pull this monstrous cake from the hidden depths of our under-used oven.By this time I was so keen to get started that I had to force myself to calm down, sit down, and get my ideas down on paper.I began to sketch a few decorating schemes in red pen on the back of an envelope in time-honored tradition, and eventually decided on a colossal triple-layer chocolate gateau with an enormous suspension bridge spanning a river of blue icing and a little plastic model of our family car perched in safety on top.

I’d like to be able to say that my cake decorating ideas usually come out as gorgeous as I imagine them, but I’m just not so good at being economical with the truth.In this case, the lovely triple-layer chocolate supension bridge cake decorating fantasy turned out as three limp, amorphous layers, crisp at the edges and doughy in the middle, featuring a delightful San Andreas fault running through the centre, as if there had been an earthquake in the oven.It tasted alright but it looked like something that had been salvaged from its own private earthquake.
So when my son’s birthday came around, I resolved to try again.On this occasion I decided to plumb for a less imposing single layer cake swearing that I would sit tight and wait for the cake to cool before even thinking about decorating it.I reckoned that by waiting I would avoid the fault lines that had swallowed up the bridge and family car in the adventure on top of my wife’s cake.Instead of cooking up intricate cake decorating ideas on the back of an envelope like a power-possessed architect, I resorted to a basic design that would be difficult for even me to make a hash of.Really, it’s one thing being able to come up with tons of great decorating ideas, but quite another to pull them off.
I made the body of the cake and let it cool down according to the promise I’d made to myself (and according tothe instructions on the box).It took all my will-power not to dive in brandishing my trusty icing spatula.

This time, I’d chosen to frost with chocolate fudge icing and top it off with my own sketch of a lamb in the centre, which was meant to resemble the cuddly toy my son sleeps with at night, ringed with 5 candles.I figured if I held my natural cake decorating flamboyance in check, the cake would come out okay.And it did.Until I attempted to transfer my creation from the kitchen counter to the fancy plate I’d prepared, lost my balance and dropped it.The result resembled the aftermath of an earthquake, including fires and distraught wildlife.My wife commented on the ‘natural disaster theme’ that ran through my cake decorating repertoire, which was funny, I guess. At least they both had a good laugh.
I rescued the candles, but the lamb was badly singed and, sadly, did not survive.

About the Author

Eoin Beckett is a freelance writer and editor. He writes both short fiction and non-fiction for both online and print publications. Although he stems from Ireland, he currently lives and works in Denmark. There’s more at http://www.gourmet-cooking-class.com
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Article published on May 02, 2007 at Isnare.com

I remember my first experience to really good (handy) cake decorating supplies was when I was a kid and at that time used to enjoy watching my grandmother baking and decorating. My grandmother would bake as well as cool a set of cakes, ice the layers and the cake in completion, subsequently – it was time for the greatest delight for me – when she would reach out to a special cabinet and take out cake decorating supplies in a package that looked like a gift box: the cake decorating supplies were kept stored in parts, each part fitting into its own cardboard cutout form. One by one Gram would slowly pull out the metal barrel, the plunger, the washer, and one or more of the tips…these tips were used to make leaves, or flowers, or perhaps to do tubing, to set stars.
Gram would put together the pieces and spoon one color frosting at a time into the cool metal tube, screw back on the plunger, and begin to work on decorating, which at times would take hours that were probably arduous, despite the fact that she never expressed a single complaint and neither did I move, fascinated as I was by the process, till she was done completely. Years later, when I had my own home, my grandmother had sent me a set of cake decorating supplies that were similar to her set. At times I practiced, and found these decorators to be incredible things of beauty - in form and function (and durability).

Though at some point later, I lost or loaned and never got back my cake decorating supplies, and changed them with the ultra-professional frosting bags and decorating tips, which were just as lovely (though if you have hot hands, the canvas bags transfer the heat—faster than it would with the metal set–to the frosting and it will puddle, so hold the bag by the top where you have twisted or folded it).
Last Christmas, I wanted to give a friend who had just gotten into gourmet baking a set of those cake decorating supplies of yore. Since I didn’t find the time to go online, I found, rather stupidly, a discounted cake decorator at a local department store. Actually the thing doesn’t stay closed (at the plunger and cap), and it is plastic and stays greasy after washing. Ugh. Despite the fact twenty years ago I would have had an excuse, however today, I should know better…and use a site like eBay, where we not only find cake decorating supplies but those of the quality of the originals: A good tip is to either look for the brand name Wilton or use keywords like "vintage" or "original" or "aluminum"…for the kind of cake-decorating supplies Gram had.

About the Author

Tracie M. Loewe provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for shopping, buying guides and other related information.
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Article published on January 03, 2007 at Isnare.com

One of the best ways to add some life to a party is to have a decorated cake baked specially for the guest of honor. This will really add a personal touch if you choose to use your own cooking skills to turn your own cake decorating ideas into reality.
To make your own decorated cake you will need the raw ingredients and your own cake decorating tools. Because there are so many ways of making cakes using different recipes, ingredients and flavors, we cannot describe them all here. However, to make any cake, you will require basic cooking utensils such as a mixing bowl set, a baking tray, bake even strips, non-stick spray and an oven.
Other cake decorating tools that you should consider buying include non-stick parchment paper and baking strips. To give your cake that professional touch, you should also have a cake leveler to make sure that your cake is perfectly level before you add the decorations.

Decorating a cake can be performed in so many ways, but the most important tools for transforming your cake decorating ideas into reality are a decorating stand, a dessert decorator, some decorating bags for applying icing, and a good set of decorating tips. These can be purchased from your local shopping mall or online from a company like Wilton cake decorating. Used together, there is no limit on what you can create except your imagination. To help you get started in creating your own cake decorating ideas, there are a good many of web sites that are dedicated to the art of decorated cake making.

A good way to choose a theme for a decorated cake is to choose the favorite hobby or interest of the recipient of the cake. If you wish to add a theme to your cake, there are a whole range of theme kits that are available. These range from cartoon characters for kids to racing cars for teenagers. There are also graduation, wedding and party themes for those extra special occasions. Wilton has pans for just about every cake imaginable and you can get their pans on eBay for a good price.

You don’t have to be an expert cake decorator in order to make fantastic looking birthday cakes. Here are some cake decorating ideas to help you to make your cakes extra special that do not require exceptional cake decorating skills.
First, determine a theme for your cake. If the cake is for an adult, what are the likes, hobbies or interests of the birthday person? For example, if the person likes to fish, make a fishing theme cake. If the person likes to golf, make a golf theme cake. If they like to play the guitar, make a guitar cake.
You could also make the cake theme match their profession as well. For example, for a mail carrier make a mail theme cake or for a carpenter, make a carpenter theme cake.
If you are making a cake for a child, have it match the theme of the party or the child’s favorite character, interest or even sport.
You get the idea, just try to make the cake extra special for the birthday person by making it match their hobbies or interests.

A really easy cake decorating idea for making these theme cakes is to purchase cake toppers that match your theme to place on top of your cake. These come in many different varieties. However, if you happen to want to make a certain theme cake for which you cannot find a cake topper to match, try the miniature section of any hobby or craft store.
For the examples above, you can purchase things such as a miniature fishing rod and net for the fishing cake, a miniature golf bag and golf clubs for the golf theme cake and a miniature guitar for the guitar cake. You can then place them on top of your cake. For a mail theme cake, purchase miniature mail boxes and make little letters out of card stock that you laminate and place them on the top and sides of your cake. For the carpenter theme cake, put miniature saws and other tools on the top of or on the sides of the cake.
These are just a few examples. The ideas really are endless, but hopefully this has helped to get you started thinking of different and unique cake decorating ideas that will make the next cake that you make extra special.

Do you get all artistic in the kitchen? Or would you like to get all artistic in the kitchen ? This product is a monthly membership site. You have access to videos showing you step by step ‘how to’ do many things 24/7.
When you see other people decorate a cake, it makes you wish you could do the same, or maybe you think you can do it just as good. Either way, this site provides you with all the ideas you will ever want or need to get started decorating yourself.
You could easily become good enough for people to start asking you to do something for them. Make a good home-based business. Why not, you have a kitchen, and if you are reading this you have the inclination, so what’s stopping you ?
Looking for new ideas can be very time consuming, you can trawl the net and still not find what you are looking for. With Yummy Arts you get every part of information you want, ideas for starters, then details on where you can buy the supplies.

Not only written details on ‘how to’ but videos which mean you really cannot go wrong. If it’s on your computer everything is all in one place, and you know exactly where to look. You will get e-mail support for any questions you may have and video requests.
You will receive cookie designs, candy and seasonal items as well, it’s not just all about cake making and decorating. If you are already working as a cake decorator you will still benefit greatly from this site, if only for the different ideas. If yoe are a beginner you will really get benefit, this site is really designed with beginner’s in mind.
At one time it would have been nearly impossible to get a website like this one. It cost too much to have instruction videos up there, but with the latest technology all things are possible now, at reasonable cost.
So, they decided that they should build this website. When you become a member you get the ‘how to’ videos right from the start. You can add videos to your library month after month. Full length ‘tip of the week’ technique videos. Access to hundreds of cake, cookie and candy articles. A photo gallery to get your inspirations from. There is a forum where you can get in touch with other members to pick their brains.

You will also receive discount coupons for special products, and much, much more.
When you look at some cakes they seem so special that you think you could never do the same. Well you can. It takes a very long time to amass so much information, but you don’t need to do it, it’s all done for you.
If you have ever fancied working from home, this sounds like just the job.

About the Author

Jean is committed to finding the best information about various products and to giving this to the consumer so that they may make an informed decision as to which product to buy, such as Click Here!

Author Jean Carrick

Everyone wants to get the perfect birthday cake. You want a birthday cake that show how much the birthday boy or girl means to you without being too mushy. You want the cake to be a creative piece of work to ward off the boring birthday cakes that are seen year after year and you definitely want the cake to make a statement or reflect something about the person whose birthday is being celebrated. Basically you want big smiles!
But before you delve into the world of birthday cake decorating there is one thing should to know and that is what is it exactly that makes a birthday cake so special? And the answer is that it not only has to taste great, but visual appeal makes a cake truly dazzle. It is equally important to pay attention to the appearance of the cake as it is to pay attention to the flavor since the appearance can make a huge difference in terms of what you actually taste on your palate. No dessert, cakes included can be a success unless it looks as good as it tastes! So here are some fabulous ideas for decorating birthday cakes.

Fabulously frosted - You can turn ordinary cake frosting into an intricate birthday cake design. This can be done by alternating vertical and horizontal ribbons of frosting, for example, you’ll create a delicate woven pattern that dazzles the eye. Even simpler designs can be achieved by creating swirls or peaks with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
The fine art of chocolate - Simply spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on a cooled marble slab or baking sheet and then carefully make curls or ribbons with a metal spatula to decorate your special cakes. An especially great idea for birthday cakes is to cut out rectangular banners of dark chocolate, write a “Happy Birthday” message with white chocolate or frosting, then place the banner upright on the cake for an edible birthday greeting!

Designing from the ground up - Another way to create dazzling birthday cakes is to layer different cakes and fillings for a variety of flavors and textures. For example you can do a cake that has meringue in it as well as chiffon and maybe a flourless chocolate cake to give it a nice texture and a little crunch. Using cakes and fillings of different colors adds to the visual appeal as well as the taste. Now that you’ve learned some fabulous birthday cake decorating ideas, why not head to the kitchen and see what you can do! Happy baking!

About the Author

Find more great gift giving tips and ideas at http://www.giftsandtoys.info/ a website offering tips, advice and resources on topics such as choosing great baptism gifts, birthday gifts and even shopping at JC Penney stores in your area.
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Article Tags: cake, cakes, chocolate
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Article published on January 21, 2007 at Isnare.com