A sweet (or salty) ring—or skirt—of decorations can really make your cake pop. Then, pipe another band on top of that first one—you’re aiming to cover the bottom third of the cake. Begin scraping lightly to smooth frosting creating an even layer. Fill your piping bag. If it is carrot cake or spice cake, I've added crushed pineapple or applesauce (or pureed fruits, like peaches). If using caramel sauce, we love to finish the cake with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Ingredients needed: The decorations of your choice. Before you begin: Apply your crumb coat and allow it to set. Before you begin: Frost your cake as desired and allow the frosting to set. Here are the seven steps you should take to make everything go smoothly: A shiny or light-colored pan (i.e. That starts at the very beginning, with the pan you bake it in. We used 1/3 cup for this 8-inch cake. Use your rubber spatula to fill the bag with frosting until it’s half full. Begin by piping directly above the darkest color. Use a large round tip or just use the bag without a tip. Allow the crumb coat to set and those crumbs will be trapped in the first layer of frosting, so they don’t mix into your final decorative layer. Then, use your straight spatula to gently coax the topping toward the edges of the cake, where it will drip down the sides at its own pace. Offset spatula: Allows you to frost without your hand getting in the way. Grease it well and the cake will come out intact, which will make it easier to frost (there’ll be no holes to fill in!). Cooling rack: To help cakes cool quickly and evenly. If it is chocolate, I've added 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa with a 1 tbsp canola oil. This dessert recipe combines Betty Crocker™ Vanilla Cupcakes Mix and other ingredients like passionfruit pulp. 1. Tell us about this recipe on Facebook! A cake turntable and a cardboard cake round are nice to have, but not essential. Rich layers of chocolate cake, combined with stout beer and caramel make for an extra-dreamy dessert indulgence. Add topping: Begin pouring the topping into the center of the cake. Betty Crocker™ No-Bake Cookie Dough Bites, Betty Crocker™ Dessert Decorating & Specialty Products, 7 Steps to Take Before Decorating Your Cake, How to Decorate Your Cake: 5 Looks We Love. To finish, gently pull the waxed paper strips out from under the cake for a neat and tidy presentation. 2. Try to use as few strokes as possible to keep the top of the cake smooth and pretty. Sky-High Salted Caramel Chocolate Layer Cake. Tools needed: A spoon, a liquid measuring cup and a straight icing/baking spatula. We recommend the glossy ganache-covered Coconut-Macaroon Chocolate Layer Cake. The paper will catch excess toppings and can be easily pulled away without disturbing the work you’ve done. Pipe another line to fill the middle third of the cake. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth! We used Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla, tinted in different shades. I don't like dry cake. Using blue ready to roll icing allows for a very pretty ribbon on top! These fairy cakes are a must-have for an upcoming occasion. 8. Tell us about this recipe on Facebook. The easiest way to do this is by cupping your hand so the toppings are held in your fingertips and can be easily pressed into the side of the cake. Press lightly, until the entire top is smooth. The key to pulling it off is applying a crumb coat so your final layer of frosting looks flawless. There are no social login steps defined in Sitecore for this flow! You’ll also want to apply your drips just before serving for the prettiest look. Stack up some delicious fun with this colourful and easy to make birthday cake! Practice on a piece of waxed paper before you begin. The only trick is to (again) avoid overfilling your piping bag. Apply pressure from the top. Then use your offset spatula to begin spreading from the center. Begin applying frosting to the sides of the cake. Did you know you can make donuts from Betty Crocker™ Vanilla Cupcake Mix? not dark nonstick) will turn out a light and tender cake. Clean your spatula when too much frosting gets built up. When stacking layers: Place cakes with the top (formerly domed side) facing down. Pipe! Before baking: Fill each pan with the same amount of batter and rap the pan against the countertop to spread the batter evenly. If you’ve got time and energy, we’ve got the techniques you need to make beautifully decorated cakes. We think decorations look pretty when concentrated on the lower third of the cake but it’s your cake, so you decide! All it takes is Betty Crocker™ Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie mix and a couple other ingredients like shortbread biscuits. Before you begin: Apply a first, smooth layer of frosting, as desired. Twist the top to close. Ready to begin? Pipe along the sides to fill in the top third. Cake decorating is easier—and the results are better—if you’ve prepared your cake well. If not, give it a stir and try again. Betty Crocker Tips – Leave Space for Cakes to Rise. We’ll start with five simple piping techniques. 3. We’re going to show you how to decorate a cake—from tools and prep to step-by-step instructions. After you’re done decorating, you can slide the pieces out from under the cake, and you’ll have a spic-and-span surface. After baking, cooling, and removing the cake from the pan: If your cake developed a domed shape on top, slice it to create a level surface. Fit a piping bag with a large round tip (or skip the tip, it’s not absolutely necessary) and fill with the darkest colored frosting. 7. Now it’s time to smooth the sides. To do this, scrape excess frosting onto the rim of a glass, dip your spatula in water and wipe it with a towel. With a denser, cake-like texture, these donuts are the best of both worlds! Then, we’ll show you how to bring your design to life. Bend down so that you’re looking at the cake at eye level as you work and use a serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion to remove the domed portion. Tools needed: An offset spatula is essential to achieving this look, and a rubber spatula helps with some of the less precise work. It’s ready in an hour and can serve up to 12 people. Among our favorites are chopped peanuts, pretzels and chocolate shavings; we used ½ cup of the latter for this 8-inch cake. Immediately after frosting: Begin pressing the toppings into the sides of the cake. Want to give this a try with step-by-step instructions? Here’s how to ensure yours turn out neat and tidy: For layer cakes that call for slicing cakes in half, allow cake to cool and use a ruler for accuracy. This is the perfect cake for any occasion! It’s a perfect party cake! Now the real fun begins. Rippled with sweet strawberry puree this delicious vanilla cake is made extra-special with a vanilla frosting drizzle and fresh strawberries. 3. If you’re using plastic piping bags, it’s helpful to prepare bags before you begin, so you don’t have to pause. You might end up with a ridge of excess frosting at the top of your cake; simply scrape that onto the top. Starting in the center, pipe the frosting in a spiral until the entire top is covered. Birthdays are the perfect occasion to bake something really special for your loved ones. These fairy cakes are a must-have for an upcoming occasion. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be prepared to decorate a cake any bakery would be proud to put in their display case.