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.