Buttercream frosting is probably the most popular cake decorating ingredient. It is light and fluffy, and with a modest amount of practice is easy to use with basic kitchen tools, a decorator's bag, and a variety of tips. Following are ten basic buttercream cake decorating tips:
1. Use the right icing consistency. For example, stiff icing works for roses and carnations; medium icing works for covering the cake, borders, and stars; and thin icing is good for writing and making leaves.
2. Remember the undercoat - spread a thin layer of icing onto the cake to seal in the freshness and to prevent crumbs from mixing into the main layer of icing.
3. Cover the bowl with a damp towel to keep the icing moist.
Always refrigerate leftover icing as it is perishable. It will keep for up to two weeks if well sealed. Rewhip any icing that has been stored before trying to put it on the cake.
4. Shop for cake decorating supplies at a major craft store or a cake decorating supply store for the best selection of colors and other supplies.
5. Items to include in your starter tool kit: pastry bags, couplers, icing spatula, serrated scraper and a variety of icing tips. With the correct tips you can create decorations such as twisted ropes and leaves, stars, swirls, scrolls, embroidery, shells, dots, and zigzags.
6. Never color icing with liquid food color as it will alter icing consistency - try a gel or paste.
7. Add color carefully, gradually mixing in very small amounts at a time - stop when the color is almost the shade you want - the color will get darker with time.
8. Purchase tubes of pre-colored icing - handy when you make multi-colored decorations. You can even purchase ready-made icing for the whole cake when you are pressed for time.
9. Buttercream will melt if the temperature is too hot - something to keep in mind if you are planning a summer garden party.
Bonus Cake Decorating Tip - How to Learn More
The main skill needed for decorating with buttercream frosting is knowing how to use a decorator's bag - knowing what pressure to apply and the angle to hold the bag is crucial, as is becoming familiar with the many different tips for creating different effects. Another skill that will help you make impressive cakes is transferring patterns to a cake by tracing them with piping gel.
The best way to acquire cake decorating skills is to attend classes in the community or online. Some people can learn from books, but this approach isn't for everyone. The advantage of courses is that you connect to an instructor and other students - you'll find that over time you will share many cake decorating tips and ideas with your new friends.
