Frequent Cake Decorating Terms
If you are new to cake decorating, then you can be confused by the many phrases for cake decorating. While these phrases may be intimidating at first, if you take the time to get familiar with them, then you will approach them with sureness. Presented below are many of the most common cake decorating terms, and their meanings. After you master these terms you will likely be inspired with your own cake decorating ideas.
Airbrushing
Airbrushing a cake is a rapid method to add a picture or setting onto a cake's surface with food coloring. Airbrushing is accomplished with an artist's paint gun that uses an compression air pump.
Border
The border of a cake is a constant thread of icing that ornaments the top, sides, and/or bottom edges of a cake.
Buttercream
Buttercream is a rich icing created by mixing either butter or shortening (or both) with icing sugar, and beaten until smooth. Buttercream is an all-purpose icing, easily made, that can be used to both decorate and cover a cake
Decorating Bags
Decorating bags are also known as icing bags, frosting bags, or pastry bags. Decorating bags are small, triangular shaped bags that are made of parchment paper, cloth, or plastic. The bags are equipped with embellishing tips and filled with frosting and used to pipe decorative items such as icing flowers, edges, scrollwork, and lacework patterns.
Decorating Tips
Decorating tips are sometimes called decorating nozzles. Decorating tips are used to produce decorative items such as basketweave patterns, icing roses, and shell borders. Tips come in varying shapes, and are used with an icing or pastry bag full of icing. When the bag is squeezed, the frosting or cream is piped out in the shape of the tip. Drop flowers are created with a single squeeze of the icing bag, while rose petals are made with masterful maneuvering of the tip and icing.
Flower Nail
A flower nail is shaped like a nail with an large, oversized head. A flower head is used for piping royal icing and buttercream flowers that are transferred to a cake after drying.
Frosting
Frosting and icing are often substituted for each other. Americans tend to use the phrase "frosting" for the creamy, sugary substance that covers a cake, while those in other English speaking countries tend to use the term "icing". In the U.S.A., "frosting" typically refers to the icing that is spread over the cake, while "icing" normallyrefers to decorative icing, such as piped borders and icing roses.
Fondant
Fondant is also called sugar paste. Fondant is an frosting sugar dough that can be manipulated in much the same way as pie dough. Fondant can be rolled into smooth sheets, then draped over cakes, producing a smooth, perfect finish.
Ganache
Ganache is a velvety smooth icing. It is prepared by melting either dark or white chocolate, then mixing it with heavy cream.
Gumpaste
Gumpaste is an eatable, clay-like dough. It is prepared by blending glycerin, gum Arabic, and icing sugar. Gumpaste is used to mold edible flowers and designs. Gum Paste can also be rolled exceedingly thin and used to make intricate ribbons and lacework, as well as delicate flower petals.
Marzipan
Marzipan is a doughy almond substance. It is made from the identical ingredients as almond paste, though marzipan has more sugar, less almonds, and has a smoother consistency. Marzipan is frequently used for modeling cake decorations, and as a base covering underneath fondant.
Piping
Piping is a embellishing technique where a decorating bag or tube is filled with icing and outfitted with a decorating tip. Piping takes place when the bag islightly squeezed to produce shaped dots and ribbons of icing toadorn cakes and other baked goods.
Royal Icing
Royal icing is a sweet white icing that is created by whipping icing sugar with either fresh egg whites or dried egg whites and meringue powder. Royal icing makes distinct icing borders. It is ideal for piping complex writing, edges, scrollwork, and lacework on cakes. Royal icing dries very hard and preserves indefinitely if stored in a cool, dry place, but is susceptible to softening and drooping in high humidity.
About the Author
Cake decorating fanatic Julia Johnson
Will real rose petals dye my cake?
I wanted to use real rose petals on my wedding cake. How long will they look good for. Are they going to dye my cake (the icing)? Have you done this before?
No they do not dye the icing. They won't dye your dress or the carpet either. Countless florists and bakers have had real petals on cakes with no problems whatsoever.
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Top 10 Homemade Cake Recipes by Chelsi Woolz
You have your favourite cake; perhaps you have several. Have you ever wondered where yours fares on the top ten list of homemade cakes? Read on and find out.
1. Mile High Chocolate Cake.
For chocolate lovers this is the ultimate cake recipe. It consists of four dark chocolate layers with milk chocolate filling. It is rich and decadent and easy to make.
2. Fresh Coconut Layer Cake
Vanilla cake layers brushed with a syrup made from coconut water and sugar make for a moist and delicious cake. The frosting includes fresh toasted coconut for the most intense flavor.
3. Rum-Scented Marble Cake
Everyone likes a little rum, and finding some in your cake is always a nice surprise. This Bundt Cake has a choclate center flavored with rum, guaranteed to please.
4. Persian Love Cake
This is a cake to be remembered. Combining a lemon-cardamom chiffon cake with saffron and rose scented whipped cream, it also has pistachios and candied rose petals for a stand-out middle eastern effect.
5. Semisweet Chocolate Layer Cake with Vanilla Cream Filling
This moist dark chocolate cake has a delicious fluffy cream filling, reminiscent of Oreos or Hydrox cookies. Complete with a chocolate ganache, it is chocolate cake at its creamiest.
6. Mixed Berry Chiffon Cake with Almond Cream Frosting
Sometimes berries make for the finest dessert, especially when they're in season. Excellent for a summer outing, this cake is filled with almond custard and raspberry preserves and crowned with a multitude of fresh berries.
7. Twelve Layer Mocha Cake
If you like a little coffee with your cake, here is a great recipe. With espresso soaked spongecake, hazelnut meringue, chocolate souffle' along with coffee and mocha buttercreams, it may not be the easiest cake to make but it is well worth the effort.
8. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake with Cream Cheese and Butterfinger Frosting
The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a favorite with many people. This cake uses golden brown sugar for an extra burst of flavor. And the vanilla cream cheese frosting is to die for.
9. White Chocolate Layer Cake with Apricot Filling and White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
You cannot have a top ten cake list without a white chocolate one making a showing, and this one is a real winner. Using apricots when they're in season adds to the flavor. Walnuts pressed into the frosting make an ultimate finish.
10. Cherry-Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake
A variation on the familiar Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, this creation utilizes a more rustic flair. It is cooked in a skillet then turned out onto a Serving Platter, exposing caramelized sugar and fruit. A little balsamic vinegar on the side turns up the taste to a new level.
These are only ten of many favourite cakes from around the world. You can find a multitude of cooking websites that will list other cake recipes and cake baking products. However, the ones listed here can be completely satisfying in your hunt for the best homemade cakes to be found.
About the Author
Baking cakes is a fun past time for many people. Now that you've read the top 10 cake recipes you may want to check out the latest cake mixes on the market.