The art of cake decorating has experienced a resurgence, as cake-decorating tools like food coloring spray, gum paste and fondant have become available in more markets. Reality shows like "Ace of Cakes" and "Cake Boss" have glamorized cake decorating, inspiring many Americans to take cake decorating classes or just experiment at home. Whatever your inspiration or skill level is, you can create a cake that impresses friends and family, with a few creative cake decor ideas. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Plaid Cake
Decorating a plaid cake is easier than it sounds. Plaid cakes work well for back-to-school; you can make a plaid that matches the school uniform. You can also create plaid in pastel colors for a baby shower or for an adult's birthday.
Cover any baked and cooled cake with a smooth layer of fondant. Fondant is rolled out into a sheet and laid over the cake like a blanket. Hold a thick- or thin-stripe stencil over the cake and spray with a mist of cake coloring spray. This product is available through specialty bakery supply stores and cake-decorating shops. It dries quickly and comes in several bright primary, secondary and tertiary colors.
Repeat the process several times, creating evenly spaced stripes vertically and horizontally across the cake.
Polka-Dot Cake
A polka-dot cake is versatile, too. Minnie Mouse-themed parties can have a black-and-white polka-dot cake with a pink or red candy ribbon on top. A baby shower cake could have pastel pink or blue polka dots.
Frost any round or sheet cake with a smooth layer of buttercream frosting or fondant. For perfectly spaced polka dots, use a ruler and a toothpick to mark the location for each spot. Otherwise, you can randomly space circles in varying widths and in several positions, overlapping some and arranging them at your leisure.
To make perfect spots, use cookie cutters or shot glasses to cut circles from fondant, gum tape or even fruit roll-ups. You can also use round candies like Necco wafers, M&Ms or even sliced licorice.
Decorating Cakes with Toys
Grocery store bakeries integrate little plastic toys into their cake decor and you can, too. It's not just for a child's cake, either. A hobby shop offers miniature Edwardian furniture reproductions, vintage cars and even realistic landscaping plants. Next time you're decorating a cake, see what inspiration you can find at the hobby shop.
A man's retirement party can have a realistic-looking miniature golf course on top. A tea party baby shower can have a miniature dining room table, fully set for a Victorian high tea, with teeny little cakes and linens on the table.
Tags: baby shower, cake decorating, cake with, cake with smooth, coloring spray, hobby shop