SIMPLE CAKE DECORATING IDEAS BY LANRE AJAYI

Cake Decorating Basics: Choosing the Frosting

BEFORE YOU CAN START CAKE DECORATING, YOU HAVE TO GENEROUSLY SPREAD THE BASE FROSTING ALONG ALL SIDES OF YOUR CAKE. WE USED THE VANILLA SOUR CREAM FROSTING RECIPE IN THIS PHOTO.

Before getting started on any cake decorating, you'll have to choose a frosting. You can easily whip up a homemade frosting, or if you're tight on time, use store bought frosting (it's just as good!). Keep in mind that creamy frosting varieties work best for piping, and whipped frosting varieties spread and swirl smoothly and evenly.

Having trouble choosing a frosting? Here are our favorite:

Butter Frosting

Cream Cheese Fronting

Creamy White Frosting 

Fudge Frosting 

Meringue Frosting

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting 

SIMPLE CAKE DECORATING IDEAS BY LANRE AJAYI

USING A PASTRY BAG WITH A LARGE STAR TIP WILL HELP YOU RE-CREATE THE LOOK OF THIS DOUBLE-LAYER WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE. TINT EACH ROW OF FROSTING A DARKER SHADE TO PRODUCE AN OMBRE EFFECT.

Easy Cake Decorating Ideas: Add Piping

An easy technique to give your cake a sophisticated look is to pipe your frosting through a pastry bag. There are different types of bag tips that will get you different looks on your cake:

• Round tips are used to make lines, dots, and writing.
• Star tips are used to create stars, shells, flowers, decorative borders, and rosettes.
• Leaf tips are used to make leaf shapes.
• Basket-weave tips are used to make lattices and ribbon like lines and borders.

How to Pipe Frosting

• Fill a pastry bag about two-thirds full of frosting.
• Fold the corners over, and roll the bag down to the frosting.
• With one hand, grip the bag near the roll above the frosting.
• Apply pressure with the palm of your hand, forcing the frosting toward the tip.
• Use your other hand to guide the tip of the bag.

CAKE FROSTING by LANREBUTTERCREAM

       CAKE FROSTING TECHNIQUES AND RECIPES

                                

                                  REAL STRAWBERRY CUP CAKE FROSTING                            

Directions

1. Place strawberries in a blender; puree until smooth.
2. Transfer strawberry puree to a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring often, until puree is reduced by at least half, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
3. Beat butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until light and fluffy.
4. Beat 1 cup confectioners' sugar into butter until just blended.
5. Beat 2 tablespoons strawberry puree and vanilla extract into butter mixture until just blended.
6. Repeat with 1 cup confectioners' sugar, followed by 2 tablespoons strawberry puree two more times.
7. Beat last 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into mixture until just blended.

CAKE TOPPING IDEAS by LANRE BUTTERCREAM

Does the idea of baking, frosting, and tastefully decorating a cake from scratch seem a bit overwhelming? It shouldn't. Get cake decorating inspiration with our easy ideas, and follow our basic steps to turn batter, frosting, and your desired toppings into a showstopping centerpiece.

Easy Cake Decorating Ideas: Add Creative Toppings

Our recipe for the cake shown uses a sweet combination of sliced strawberries and halved chocolate sandwich cookies.

Instead of achieving the perfect look for your cake with piped frosting, you can get a creative look by adding fresh fruit, purchased cookies, and nuts. Here are a few creative cake-topping ideas:

• Whole small berries
• Sliced fruit
• Pecan, cashew, or walnut halves
• Sliced or slivered almonds
• Chopped hazelnuts, pistachios, or peanuts
• Toasted or raw flaked or shredded coconut
• Gingersnaps
• Cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies

Cake Decorating Tip: Be sure to serve cakes embellished with cookies or fresh fruit within two hours.