by Joe LoCicero

    Cake

    Decorating

    FOR

    DUMmIES?Cake Decorating For Dummies?

    Published by

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    Library of Congress Control Number: 2007921849

    ISBN: 978-0-470-09911-7

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    10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1About the Author

    Family lifestyle expert Joe LoCicero?s obsession with cakes and instruction

    began with the Flintstones-themed cake his mom served for his fifth birthday.

    Before the cake was doled out, Joe explained to everyone the importance of

    embellishing a cake with frosting and figures. He developed an immediate

    interest in deconstructing and designing desserts, and by the time he was in

    seventh grade, his carrot cakes had become such a hit that local organiza-

    tions auctioned them off at fundraisers.

    More recently, the Southern-bred LoCicero has spent the last 15 years in Los

    Angeles working in the entertainment industry as a party planner, writer,columnist, and marketing consultant. He also works wonders as a cake deco-

    rator, accomplished home chef, creative instructor, and entertaining guru.

    Having organized big-budget parties for network, studios, agents, and stars,Joe founded Chartreuse Cake in 1999, which specializes in themed, fantasti-

    cally crafted cakes for large gatherings such as birthday parties, bridal and

    baby showers, signature events, and private screenings. His Red Velvet Cake

    and its wide variety of decorations is his most requested. Chartreuse Cake

    has also catered meals for independent films, and dessert buffets for celebri-

    ties. LoCicero also continues to offer one-on-one home cooking instruction.

    In 2004, Joe and his wife founded Practical Whimsy (www.practicalwhimsy.

    com), a company that celebrates family style with products, recipes, party

    tips, and of course ideas for cakes. Joe and his wife champion the importance

    of family supper and celebrations and have given presentations on those topics

    to corporations, organizations, and educational institutions including MTV,Paramount, Viacom, Turner Broadcasting, Loyola Marymount University, and

    Southern California?s Discover Conference.

    Joe?s column on entertaining, òPractical Whimsy: Southern Hospitality,Hollywood Style,ó is a regular feature in Y?ALL: The Magazine of Southern

    People, and he?s the author of a number of books, including The Complete

    Idiot?s Guide to Clear Thinking and Streetwise Meeting and Event Planning.

    Additionally, Joe is the Food Contributor for momready.com.

    LoCicero has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Woman?s World, several daily

    newspapers in the U.S. and Canada; radio outlets including Sirius? Martha

    Stewart Living Radio; and network affiliate news programs.

    LoCicero lives in Los Angeles, where he cooks dinner every night for his wife,Lori, and their two young children. They have cake as often as possible.Dedication

    To Dalton, whose love for cakes, zest for life, and ever-burgeoning outpouring

    of new ideas provide a happy, constant source of inspiration.

    Author’s Acknowledgments

    I truly regard cake decorating as a way to celebrate the infinite number of

    happy occasions that can bring friends, colleagues, relatives, and immediate

    family together. In that spirit, I?m so thankful to my nieces and nephews ?

    Eli, Mary Elle, Samuel, Tucker, Savannah, Ethan, Paulina Jane, and Alex ?

    who take cake and celebrating very seriously and have fueled my passion for

    cakes, served as excellent taste testers, and proved to be unending idea fac-

    tories. And to my delightful daughter Garcy, who has already shown me that I

    was, in fact, prepared to have a girl, particularly one who has such fabulous,discriminating taste.

    I?ve realized that people can be just as passionate about enjoying cake as I

    can be about making and decorating them. Jill and Mark Illsley, Maureen

    FitzPatrick and Doug Armstrong: Your unending support and encouragement,your graciousness, and your ever-present humor humble me.

    I?d also like to thank Kristy Wylie and Shari Kaufman, two champions of my

    cakes who never missed the chance to express their sheer delight, spread the

    word, and show me the importance of never making light of a talent you?ve

    been given And I appreciate all my friends and colleagues at Paramount, Disney,Turner Broadcasting, and Sony who heaped praise on myriad confections,instilling more pride, happiness, and publicity than they?ll ever know.

    To those who willingly enter the Practical Whimsy test kitchen and help us so

    immeasurably ? namely the incredibly talented Sarah Kent and Julie Jones.

    Your assistance in so many areas was absolutely invaluable. You make us

    smile and never let us down.

    At Wiley, I so appreciate my Acquisitions Editor Stacy Kennedy?s passion for

    this project and understanding of my vision; Project Editor Tim Gallan?s stead-

    fast commitment and easygoing style; Copy Editor Elizabeth Rea?s cheer and

    verve; and Pam Mitchell?s expert recipe testing.

    In Jacky Sach, I am always happily amazed at what a dedicated advocate I

    have. I?m so lucky to be in league with such a smart, savvy agent who never

    wavers from helping me accomplish the ideals I strive for. And that sense of

    humor: Don?t get me started!

    I also want to point out my parents, Joe and Gloria, whose zeal for good food

    and love of us all propelled us to believe that we can do anything. And finally,to my favorite cake lover, my amazing Practical Whimsy coconspiratorwife

    Lori, who let me have an actual chartreuse-colored cake for our wedding . . .

    and had no idea what she was getting us into when she ordered me that

    Martha by Mail cake decorating kit oh-so-long ago.Publisher?s Acknowledgments

    We?re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration

    form located at www.dummies.comregister.

    Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

    Acquisitions, Editorial, and

    Media Development

    Senior Project Editor: Tim Gallan

    Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy

    Senior Copy Editor: Elizabeth Rea

    Technical Editor and Recipe Tester:

    Pamela Mitchell

    Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck

    Editorial Assistants: Erin Calligan, Joe Niesen,David Lutton, Leeann Harney

    Illustrator: Liz Kurtzman

    Photographer: T. J. Hine Photography, Inc.

    Food Stylist: Lisa Bishop

    Cartoons: Rich Tennant

    (www.the5thwave.com)

    Composition Services

    Project Coordinator: Lynsey Osborn

    Layout and Graphics: Brooke Graczyk,Joyce Haughey, LeAndra Hosier,Stephanie D. Jumper, Heather Ryan

    Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico

    Proofreaders: Melanie Hoffman, Betty Kish

    Indexer: Steve Rath

    Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

    Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

    Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

    Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies

    Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel

    Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel

    Publishing for Technology Dummies

    Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies TechnologyGeneral User

    Composition Services

    Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

    Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition ServicesContents at a Glance

    Introduction .................................................................1

    Part I: Getting Ready to Decorate with Ease

    and Expertise................................................................7

    Chapter 1: Acquiring the Skills and Creativity................................................................9

    Chapter 2: Assembling Your Cake Decorating Kit ........................................................15

    Chapter 3: Planning Your Workspace ............................................................................31

    Chapter 4: Stocking Your Pantry ....................................................................................39

    Part II: Preparing the Canvas of Cake ..........................49

    Chapter 5: Prepping for the Cake Decorating Process ................................................51

    Chapter 6: Baking the Perfect Cakes..............................................................................61

    Chapter 7: Smoothing the Way for Decorating .............................................................81

    Part III: Topping, Filling, and Embellishing

    Your Creations............................................................93

    Chapter 8: Whipping Up Frostings .................................................................................95

    Chapter 9: Dusting and Glazing: It?s Icing on the Cake ..............................................109

    Chapter 10: Amping Up the Flavor: Spreading Fillings ..............................................129

    Chapter 11: Tip Talk .......................................................................................................143

    Chapter 12: Enhancing with Embellishments .............................................................159

    Part IV: Sweetening Life’s Special Occasions ..............181

    Chapter 13: Festive Cakes for Kids...............................................................................183

    Chapter 14: Cakes for Grown-Ups ................................................................................205

    Chapter 15: Showering Brides and Moms-to-Be .........................................................223

    Chapter 16: Lifting a Fork to Weddings and Anniversaries.......................................243

    Chapter 17: Savoring Holidays and Special Occasions .............................................259

    Part V: Thinking Outside the Cake Box .......................285

    Chapter 18: Prepping for Showtime .............................................................................287

    Chapter 19: Quick Cakes and Last-Minute Decorating Techniques .........................297

    Chapter 20: Starting a Cake Decorating Business ......................................................311Part VI: The Part of Tens ...........................................323

    Chapter 21: Ten Great Sources for Cake Supplies and Ideas ....................................325

    Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Cut a Cake ............................................................................329

    Chapter 23: Ten Easy Baking and Frosting Alternatives............................................337

    Chapter 24: Ten (or So) Troubleshooting Techniques ..............................................341

    Index .......................................................................345

    Introduction..................................................................1

    About This Book...............................................................................................2

    Conventions Used in This Book .....................................................................2

    Foolish Assumptions .......................................................................................3

    How This Book Is Organized...........................................................................3

    Part I: Getting Ready to Decorate with Ease and Expertise..............4

    Part II: Preparing the Canvas of Cake ..................................................4

    Part III: Topping, Filling, and Embellishing Your Creations...............4

    Part IV: Sweetening Life?s Special Occasions......................................4

    Part V: Thinking Outside the Cake Box ...............................................5

    Part VI: The Part of Tens .......................................................................5

    Icons Used in This Book..................................................................................5

    Where to Go from Here....................................................................................6

    Part I: Getting Ready to Decorate with Ease

    and Expertise ................................................................7

    Chapter 1: Acquiring the Skills and Creativity. . . . . 9

    Bridging Baking and Creativity.......................................................................9

    Gathering the Tools and Ingredients ...........................................................10

    Picking Up the Skills.......................................................................................11

    Baking the foundations........................................................................11

    Spreading on the layers .......................................................................11

    Decorating with tips and embellishments ........................................12

    Setting up, striking down.....................................................................12

    Infusing Your Own Taste ...............................................................................13

    Calling All Occasions .....................................................................................13

    Recognizing Possibilities...............................................................................14

    Chapter 2: Assembling Your Cake Decorating Kit . . . . 15

    Targeting Tips and Flower Nails...................................................................15

    Starting with essential icing tips ........................................................16

    Adding couplers ...................................................................................17

    Fixating on flower nails........................................................................17

    Picking Out Paper Goods and Pastry Bags .................................................19

    Sizing Up Pan Shapes.....................................................................................20

    Rectangular and square.......................................................................20

    Round and oval .....................................................................................20

    Cupcake tins..........................................................................................21

    Bundt......................................................................................................21

    Specialty shapes...................................................................................21Boarding Cakes...............................................................................................21

    Gathering General Utensils ...........................................................................22

    Ruler.......................................................................................................22

    Cookie, fondant, and gum paste cutters............................................22

    Cooling racks ........................................................................................22

    Pastry brush..........................................................................................23

    Rubber spatulas....................................................................................23

    Large spatula.........................................................................................23

    Thermometers ......................................................................................23

    Cake tester ............................................................................................24

    Rolling pins............................................................................................24

    Toothpicks, bamboo skewers, and dowels .......................................24

    Tooling Around with Decorating Specifics .................................................25

    Decorating comb ..................................................................................25

    Turntable ...............................................................................................25

    Leveling assists.....................................................................................26

    Icing spatulas ........................................................................................26

    Bench scraper.......................................................................................28

    Fondant smoother................................................................................28

    Modeling tools ......................................................................................28

    A color wheel ........................................................................................28

    Keeping All Your Tools Together..................................................................29

    Finding the Goods ..........................................................................................30

    Chapter 3: Planning Your Workspace . . . . . . 31

    Organizing Your Kitchen: What Goes Where ..............................................31

    Creating a decorating zone .................................................................32

    Promoting accessibility and efficiency..............................................33

    Checking out the counter space.........................................................33

    Giving yourself a little elbow room....................................................34

    Hauling Out the Heavier Equipment ............................................................34

    Kitchen mixers......................................................................................34

    Food processors and grinders............................................................35

    Pasta makers.........................................................................................35

    Firing Up an Accurate Oven..........................................................................36

    Conventional vs. convection ovens ...................................................36

    Perfecting temperatures......................................................................37

    The microwave has its place, too.......................................................37

    Refrigerating and Freezing ............................................................................37

    Chapter 4: Stocking Your Pantry . . . . . . . 39

    The Lowdown on Baking Staples .................................................................39

    Cake flour and all-purpose flour.........................................................40

    Sugars.....................................................................................................40

    Butters, oils, and shortening ..............................................................41

    Eggs and egg whites .............................................................................41

    Baking powder, baking soda, and cornstarch...................................41

    Chocolate...............................................................................................42

    Spices and seasonings .........................................................................42

    Cake Decorating For Dummies

    xOpening the Dairy Case.................................................................................43

    Fresh milk ..............................................................................................43

    Canned milk ..........................................................................................43

    Other dairy products ...........................................................................44

    Coloring Agents ..............................................................................................44

    Gels.........................................................................................................44

    Pastes.....................................................................................................45

    Gathering Flavorings and Other Liquids.....................................................45

    Extracts and flavorings........................................................................45

    Other common liquids.........................................................................47

    Embellishing with Pizzazz.............................................................................47

    Candies ..................................................................................................47

    Chocolates.............................................................................................48

    Colorful additions.................................................................................48

    Part II: Preparing the Canvas of Cake...........................49

    Chapter 5: Prepping for the Cake Decorating Process. . . 51

    Considering the Occasion and the Atmosphere ........................................51

    Surveying the celebrant and celebration..........................................52

    Taking theme and audience into account .........................................53

    Calculating how much cake to make .................................................53

    Picking Up Cake Decorating Lingo...............................................................54

    Understanding the tools......................................................................54

    Gathering components and coverings...............................................55

    Prepping the surface............................................................................56

    Adding embellishment.........................................................................56

    Picking Flavors for the Cake and Frosting ..................................................57

    Devising a Design ...........................................................................................58

    Finding inspiration ...............................................................................58

    Taking stock of your options ..............................................................58

    Discerning colors .................................................................................59

    Greenlighting your plan.......................................................................60

    Chapter 6: Baking the Perfect Cakes . . . . . . 61

    Comprehending the Language of Cake Baking...........................................61

    Measuring Up..................................................................................................62

    Flour .......................................................................................................63

    Sugar ......................................................................................................64

    Butter and shortening..........................................................................64

    Eggs ........................................................................................................65

    Spices, baking soda, and baking powder ..........................................65

    Sticky substances.................................................................................65

    Vanilla, vinegar, and other liquids......................................................65

    Fruits, nuts, and the like......................................................................65

    Prepping the Pans ..........................................................................................66

    Mixing the Batter............................................................................................67

    xi Getting Down the Rules for the Perfect Cakes ...........................................68

    Reading up and getting ready .............................................................68

    Battering up and baking ......................................................................69

    Leveling during baking ........................................................................70

    Knowing when a cake is done.............................................................70

    Cooling and extracting the cake.........................................................71

    Avoiding cake-tastrophes ....................................................................71

    Perfecting the Basic Cake Repertoire..........................................................72

    Lining up the ingredients.....................................................................72

    Making the cakes (finally!) ..................................................................73

    Chapter 7: Smoothing the Way for Decorating. . . . . 81

    Devising Your Game Plan ..............................................................................81

    Timing ....................................................................................................82

    Keeping design in mind .......................................................................83

    Covering Cake Boards ...................................................................................83

    Wrapping it up in paper and fabric ....................................................84

    Using fondant or royal icing................................................................84

    Considering unconventional ideas.....................................................84

    Leveling and Torting the Cake......................................................................85

    Loving to level.......................................................................................85

    Tackling torting.....................................................................................86

    Drawing Up Designs.......................................................................................87

    Sizing up the cake.................................................................................88

    Sketching ...............................................................................................88

    Tracing...................................................................................................89

    Using templates ....................................................................................89

    Following patterns................................................................................89

    Choosing Colors .............................................................................................90

    Experimenting before proceeding......................................................90

    Mixing just the right color...................................................................90

    Part III: Topping, Filling, and Embellishing

    Your Creations ............................................................93

    Chapter 8: Whipping Up Frostings . . . . . . . 95

    Stirring Through the Rules for Frosting ......................................................95

    Matching up Frostings and Cakes ................................................................96

    Mixing Frostings .............................................................................................97

    Tinting Frostings ..........................................................................................102

    Frosting with Finesse...................................................................................103

    Taking care to crumb coat ................................................................104

    Smoothing out the frosting ...............................................................105

    Going the Textured Route ...........................................................................106

    Ridges...................................................................................................106

    Hobnails...............................................................................................107

    Cake Decorating For Dummies

    xiiZigzags .................................................................................................107

    Swirls....................................................................................................108

    Petals....................................................................................................108

    Chapter 9: Dusting and Glazing: It?s Icing on the Cake. . . 109

    Sweetening Up Your Cake with Icing .........................................................110

    Starting with basic confectioners? sugar icing ...............................110

    Getting versatile with royal icing .....................................................115

    Giving Fondant a Try ...................................................................................116

    Working with rolled fondant .............................................................117

    Pouring fondant ..................................................................................119

    Dusting for a Different Look........................................................................121

    Deciding what to dust with ...............................................................122

    Using stencils......................................................................................122

    Putting the Shine on with Glazes ...............................................................124

    Chapter 10: Amping Up the Flavor: Spreading Fillings . . . 129

    Picking the Best Filling for Your Cake........................................................129

    Taking Care with Fillings .............................................................................130

    Indulging in Creaminess: Smooth Fillings .................................................131

    Crunching Things Up: Chunky Fillings ......................................................138

    Summoning Syrups ......................................................................................141

    Chapter 11: Tip Talk . . . . . . . . . 143

    Decoding Tip Numbers................................................................................143

    A tip-tionary ........................................................................................144

    The most popular tips .......................................................................145

    Preparing to Pipe..........................................................................................147

    Gathering the goods...........................................................................148

    Outfitting a pastry bag.......................................................................148

    Holding the bag...................................................................................150

    Practicing Tipping Points and Techniques ...............................................150

    Lining up dots, rosettes, shells, stars, and leaves .........................151

    Guiding lines, garlands, and swags ..................................................152

    Piping borders ....................................................................................153

    Basket weaving without becoming a basket case ..........................153

    Flooding, Filling, and Other Fun Design Techniques ...............................155

    Flooding a design................................................................................155

    Filling a design ....................................................................................155

    Lettering and scripting ......................................................................156

    Creating a frozen buttercream transfer ...........................................157

    Chapter 12: Enhancing with Embellishments. . . . . 159

    Easing into Enhancements..........................................................................159

    Adding zip with fresh fruit ................................................................160

    Smelling the fresh flowers .................................................................161

    Getting a bit nutty ..............................................................................163

    xiii Modeling with Marzipan..............................................................................164

    Simple techniques: Coloring and cutting ........................................165

    Advanced techniques: Modeling ......................................................166

    Working with Gum Paste .............................................................................168

    Tooling around with gum paste........................................................170

    Assembling and coloring gum paste flowers ..................................172

    Tending to Frosting Roses...........................................................................175

    Nailing the form..................................................................................175

    Skipping the nail and going straight for the cake...........................177

    Dipping into the Candy Jar .........................................................................177

    Simple but sublime options ..............................................................178

    Candies ................................................................................................178

    Confections .........................................................................................179

    Other treats.........................................................................................179

    Choosing Inedible Features ........................................................................179

    Part IV: Sweetening Life’s Special Occasions ...............181

    Chapter 13: Festive Cakes for Kids . . . . . . . 183

    Conceiving the Perfect Birthday Cake.......................................................184

    Carving Cakes into the Shape of Numbers and Letters ..........................184

    Theme Cakes Boys Go Nuts Over ..............................................................187

    Theme Cakes for Little Ladies ....................................................................191

    Pleasing the Whole Gang: Cakes for Boys and Girls................................196

    Getting Kids Involved ..................................................................................200

    Trying Kid-Friendly Recipes .......................................................................201

    Chapter 14: Cakes for Grown-Ups . . . . . . . 205

    Gearing Up for Grown-Up Cakes.................................................................205

    Brainstorming a design......................................................................206

    Taking personality into account .......................................................206

    Simple Letter and Number Designs ...........................................................206

    Playing the alphabet game ................................................................207

    Piping monograms and initials .........................................................207

    Designing Cakes Ladies Swoon Over .........................................................208

    Winning Over Men........................................................................................212

    Pleasing Both Men and Women..................................................................217

    Following the invitation.....................................................................220

    Looking like the honoree...................................................................220

    Shaping up other cakes .....................................................................221

    Cake Decorating For Dummies

    xivChapter 15: Showering Brides and Moms-to-Be. . . . 223

    Analyzing the Occasion...............................................................................223

    Bridal showers: Tying in to the main event ....................................224

    Baby showers: Making parents-to-be feel special ..........................225

    Commanding Popular Shower Power Moves ...........................................225

    Crafting cutouts..................................................................................225

    Adorning with flowers .......................................................................228

    Piping the lacy look............................................................................228

    Tossing Cheer into a Bridal Shower...........................................................229

    Bringing Up the Baby Shower.....................................................................236

    Chapter 16: Lifting a Fork to Weddings and Anniversaries . . 243

    Considering the Event?s Theme and Colors .............................................244

    Figuring out the logistics...................................................................244

    Daring to be different? .......................................................................245

    Staying in style....................................................................................245

    Positioning to stand out ....................................................................246

    Creating a Simple Wedding Cake................................................................247

    Tiering Up for Success.................................................................................249

    Moving Up to a More Elaborate Wedding Cake........................................251

    Celebrating Another Year with Anniversary Cakes .................................255

    Chapter 17: Savoring Holidays and Special Occasions . . . 259

    Bringing Seasonal Treats to Your Decorating...........................................259

    Saluting Spring and Summer.......................................................................260

    Having Fun in the Fall ..................................................................................267

    Greeting the Winter Holidays .....................................................................273

    Celebrating Other Occasions......................................................................277

    Part V: Thinking Outside the Cake Box ........................285

    Chapter 18: Prepping for Showtime . . . . . . 287

    Giving Your Cake the Once-Over................................................................287

    A Cake Decorator?s Checklist for the Big Day ..........................................289

    Livening Up the Cake Presentation............................................................290

    Mapping out the space ......................................................................291

    Playing around with props ................................................................291

    Transporting Your Creation........................................................................292

    Taking measurements for fit .............................................................292

    Using standard gear and procedure.................................................293

    Stabilizing more complicated cakes ................................................293

    xv What to Do with Leftover Cake ..................................................................295

    Give parting gifts ................................................................................295

    Refrigerate for good taste .................................................................295

    Rework it for another occasion ........................................................296

    Chapter 19: Quick Cakes and Last-Minute

    Decorating Techniques . . . . . . . . 297

    Keeping a Well-Stocked Pantry...................................................................297

    The essentials .....................................................................................298

    Decorating odds and ends ................................................................298

    Quick Fixes with Mixes................................................................................299

    When You Have Only Minutes ....................................................................305

    Making it special, quickly ..................................................................305

    Salvaging a broken cake ....................................................................307

    Fast designs.........................................................................................308

    Chapter 20: Starting a Cake Decorating Business . . . . 311

    Setting Up Your Own Business ...................................................................312

    Deciding if you have what it takes ...................................................312

    Doing your research...........................................................................313

    Determining your specialties............................................................314

    Regarding the upsides .......................................................................315

    Finding a Location for Your Business........................................................315

    Working out of your home.................................................................315

    Scouting for commercial kitchen space ..........................................316

    Getting Down to Basics ...............................................................................317

    Running a cake-centric office............................................................318

    Finding out about licensing...............................................................318

    Drawing up contracts ........................................................................319

    Attracting a Clientele and Marketing Your Cakes ....................................319

    Spreading the word............................................................................320

    Brainstorming cool marketing methods..........................................320

    Designing a Web site for your designs.............................................321

    Part VI: The Part of Tens ............................................323

    Chapter 21: Ten Great Sources for Cake Supplies and Ideas . . 325

    Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Cut a Cake. . . . . . 329

    Chapter 23: Ten Easy Baking and Frosting Alternatives. . . 337

    Chapter 24: Ten (or So) Troubleshooting Techniques . . . 341

    Index........................................................................345

    Cake Decorating For Dummies

    xviRecipes at a Glance

    Basic Cakes

    A Most Excellent White Cake ..........................................................................................74

    Cocoa Chocolate Cake .....................................................................................................75

    Delicious Yellow Cake ......................................................................................................76

    Flavor-Friendly Sponge Cake ..........................................................................................77

    The Best Carrot Cake Ever ..............................................................................................78

    Rich Pound Cake...............................................................................................................79

    White Velvet Cake.............................................................................................................80

    Frostings, Icings, Glazes, and Fondants

    Buttercream Frosting .......................................................................................................98

    Stiff Decorator Frosting ...................................................................................................99

    Cream Cheese Frosting..................................................................................................100

    Chocolate Ganache ........................................................................................................101

    Milk Chocolate Frosting.................................................................................................102

    Simple Confectioners? Sugar Icing................................................................................113

    Simple Chocolate Confectioners? Sugar Icing.............................................................114

    Sunshine Cupcake Icing.................................................................................................114

    Royal Icing.......................................................................................................................116

    Rolled Fondant................................................................................................................117

    Poured Fondant ..............................................................................................................120

    2EZ Petit Fours Quick Fondant .....................................................................................121

    Buttery Vanilla Glaze......................................................................................................125

    Chocolate Glaze..............................................................................................................126

    Mocha Glaze....................................................................................................................126

    Caramel Glaze .................................................................................................................127

    Lemon Glaze....................................................................................................................128

    Fruit Glaze .......................................................................................................................128

    Fillings

    Basic Whipped Cream....................................................................................................132

    Chocolate Whipped Cream...........................................................................................133

    Coffee Cream...................................................................................................................133

    Caramel Filling ................................................................................................................134Amazing Chocolate Filling.............................................................................................134

    Chocolate Mousse..........................................................................................................135

    Key Lime Mousse............................................................................................................136

    Dulce de Leche Filling....................................................................................................137

    Pink Cherry Filling..........................................................................................................138

    Crazy Crunchy Filling.....................................................................................................138

    Peanut Butter Filling ......................................................................................................139

    Coconut Filling................................................................................................................140

    Raspberry Filling ............................................................................................................140

    Orange Syrup ..................................................................................................................141

    Your Choice Fruit Syrup ................................................................................................142

    Embellishments

    Marzipan..........................................................................................................................165

    Gum Paste .......................................................................................................................170

    Kids’ Cakes

    Play Ball! Baseball Cake.................................................................................................187

    òHave a Good Yearó Race Car Cake ..............................................................................190

    Ballerina Stage Cake.......................................................................................................192

    òYou?re a Real Dolló Cake...............................................................................................194

    Down on the Farm Cake.................................................................................................196

    Circus Roar Cake ............................................................................................................198

    No-Bake Cherry Cake and Icing ....................................................................................201

    S?mores Cupcakes ..........................................................................................................202

    Berry Good Crumble Cake ............................................................................................203

    Cakes for Grown-Ups

    Jewelry Cake ...................................................................................................................208

    Luscious Luau Cake .......................................................................................................210

    Vegas, Baby! Cake...........................................................................................................213

    Golf Game Cake...............................................................................................................215

    Rock Star Cake................................................................................................................217

    Bridal and Baby Shower Cakes

    Tasteful Registry Cake ...................................................................................................230

    Floral Fantasy..................................................................................................................232

    Cupcake Tower ...............................................................................................................236

    Baby Animal Zoo ............................................................................................................238Wedding and Anniversary Cakes

    Italian Chocolate Wedding Cake...................................................................................247

    Tahiti-in-SoHo Wedding Cake ........................................................................................252

    Bubble Dot Anniversary Cake.......................................................................................256

    Year-Round Cakes

    Garden Path Cake ...........................................................................................................260

    Chick-Chick Cupcakes....................................................................................................262

    Patriotic Star ...................................................................................................................264

    Haunted Mansion ...........................................................................................................267

    Jack-O?-Lantern ...............................................................................................................269

    Cornucopia Cake ............................................................................................................271

    Christmas Tree Cake......................................................................................................273

    Skating Rink Cake ...........................................................................................................276

    Heart-O?-Mine Cake ........................................................................................................278

    Housewarming Cake.......................................................................................................279

    Cap ?n? Tassel Graduation Cake ....................................................................................282

    Quick and Easy Cake Ideas

    Tropical Fruit Panorama Cake ......................................................................................161

    Lori?s Chocolatey-Chippity Cake ..................................................................................300

    Cinco Leches Cake .........................................................................................................301

    Summer Lovin? Lemon Cake..........................................................................................302

    Moussetachio Cupcakes................................................................................................303

    Barbara and Vera?s Rum Cake.......................................................................................304

    Cake Fondue....................................................................................................................307Cake Decorating For Dummies

    xxIntroduction

    Ioften hear moms and dads, girlfriends and boyfriends, wives and husbands

    say, òI really wanted to decorate a special cake for this birthday (or party,or dinner, or . . insert occasion here), but it just seemed too hard,ó or òI

    meant to come up with a cake, but I ran out of time,ó or òI?d like to do that,but I?m not that creative.ó If you?re guilty of using these excuses or others like

    them, banish them from your mind because an admirable desire to bake and

    decorate a beautiful cake for someone (or some event) means that you already

    have the perfect running start. Add some cake flour, confectioners? sugar, a

    few techniques, and a couple of easily attainable supplies and you?ll be pleas-

    antly amazed at how easy and fun it can be to produce a delicious, lovely cake

    that becomes the smashing centerpiece of a celebration.

    From a very early age, I was enthralled with cakes as the four kids in my

    family got to select whatever birthday cakes we wanted. I often requested a

    sunshine orange cake with orange frosting; my sister?s favorite was strawberry

    through and through; one brother favored milk chocolate cake, frosting, and

    filling; and my other brother routinely asked for a choo-choo chocolate chip

    ice cream cake with chocolate frosting. Eventually, we graduated to more

    innovative tastes and accoutrements, like the coconut cake that hosted a big

    top and circus on parade and the banana peanut butter cake that featured a

    wild configuration of Flintstone toys. I also started to understand how cake

    delighted grown-ups as much as (if not more than) it did kids, and as an adult

    planning events and parties for networks, studios, and Fortune 500 companies,I realized that celebrations and opportunities to enjoy cake are everywhere.

    Particularly delicious, eye-catching cakes can put anyone in a festive mood

    and make any event that much more memorable.

    No doubt you have much to celebrate with friends, family members, and col-

    leagues. And a cake is that winning component that makes everyone realize

    that where they are, who they?re with, and what they?re doing is special.

    Although you certainly may order the cake from a local bakery or supermar-

    ket (and occasionally, you may have to), the taste, look, charm, and feelings

    conveyed by a homemade decorated cake are simply unparalleled. Be it at a

    birthday party, bridal shower, wedding reception, anniversary celebration,graduation, holiday gathering, date night, awards banquet, retirement party,bon voyage soirée, or dessert buffet, your own specially created cake is always

    welcome.

    For your cake decorating endeavors, you can draw inspiration from a variety

    of sources: some common, some unique, some understandable, some unfath-

    omable. Inspiration may come in the form of haute couture fashion design, avintage piece of china, a college football game, a cereal box, a state map, an

    advertising relic from a certain decade . . and of course the person or event

    being honored.

    About This Book

    This book shares the basics and beyond necessary to bake, frost, fill, and

    decorate a variety of cakes. Because I cover varying degrees of difficulty,this book truly is accessible to all. Each cake commands different skills for

    all the activities that complete the cake?s look: mixing up batters, whipping

    up frostings and fillings, modeling frosting roses or marzipan miniatures, get-

    ting desired results from assorted icing tips, handling frosting-filled pastry

    bags, and selecting the perfect embellishments to be eaten or just simply

    marveled at. But ultimately, the beauty of cake decorating is that it can be

    very simple and elegant or extraordinary and detailed.

    You can use the tips, tools, guidelines, and instructions herein to create your

    own designs, or you can rely on the proven recipes and directions I provide to

    bake and decorate tested (and happily tasted) cakes for a variety of occasions

    and celebrations. Regardless of your choice, you can use the information I pro-

    vide on an assortment of techniques and a wide range of embellishments to

    complete, accomplish, and perfect stunning creations.

    I promise that, in no time at all, you?ll be creating, baking, and decorating your

    very own cakes that will amaze, impress, and delight . . and bring incalculable

    rewards for your time and effort.

    Conventions Used in This Book

    Baking is one culinary art in which using precise ingredients and following a

    recipe to a T are absolute musts. If you?re not the type to read a recipe before

    diving in, here?s my gentle plea to change your ways for the better.

    For optimal results, keep the following recipe conventions in mind as you

    embark on each new cake project:

    
Most of the cake recipes call for cake flour, which is a lighter, finer version

    of all-purpose flour that makes cakes more tender.

    
Confectioners? sugar (also known as powdered sugar) is 10X.

    
White granulated and brown sugars are cane sugars.

    
Butter is unsalted. Do not substitute margarine or vegetable spread.

    2 Cake Decorating For Dummies
Extracts (vanilla, almond, and so on) are pure (not imitation), unless

    otherwise indicated.

    
Salt is finely granulated table salt, not kosher or sea salt.

    
Oil is all-vegetable. Avoid other kinds of oil (such as peanut), and

    definitely steer clear of any type of olive oil.

    
If water is called for, use filtered water.

    
Unless otherwise directed, mixing should be done with a stand mixer

    rather than a hand mixer.

    Occasional patches of text highlighted in gray are known as sidebars, and

    they contain information that I think may come in handy or interest you.

    Although I?m fond of the details doled out in sidebars, reading them isn?t

    required for your understanding of the text or your ability to execute any

    of the projects. (But if you do read the sidebars, you?ll have some great con-

    versation starters to use at parties and an even deeper understanding of cake

    trivia, origins, and such.)

    Foolish Assumptions

    Call me crazy, but in writing this book, I assumed a few things about you, the

    reader:

    
You love cake or are eager to impress with cake.

    
You know your way around a baking aisle or have a friend to guide you.

    Beyond that, anything goes: You may be ready to try cake decorating for the

    first time; you may have done some cake decorating in the past but want to

    expand your repertoire, ratchet up your skill level, add a few techniques; or

    both. In any case, you don?t need to have any experience whipping up prize ......