Cake decorating tips

"Nic" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What is the simplest way to ice and decorate a cake that
makes it look as good as bought in a shop ?

I have made the cake from scratch, and its turned out
quiet good. Now I need to ice it. So do you have a fail
proof way of icing the cake and making it look good

?

Quoted message said:

Or do you know of something else that I can use as icing
to mould onto or around a cake ? What are some do's and
don't with icing and decorating cakes ?

TIA Nic

I make a lot of icing made between medium to thin
consistency to do this with. For this method you need a
revolving cake stand so you can turn the cake easily. Also
have something to rest the arm that you hold the bag with
on. I use a decorating bag with a 3/8" straight nozzle. As
the cake spins, squirt the icing on in concentric circles
starting from the center. Then do the sides from the
bottom up. If done right you have coils of icing that are
very dramatic. If you mess up use a warm spatula to smooth
the icing.

"Nic" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

What is the simplest way to ice and decorate a cake that
makes it look as good as bought in a shop ?

I have made the cake from scratch, and its turned out
quiet good. Now I need to ice it. So do you have a fail
proof way of icing the cake and making it look good

?

Quoted message said:

Or do you know of something else that I can use as icing
to mould onto or around a cake ? What are some do's and
don't with icing and decorating cakes ?

I think it is a matter of having the right icing, the right
tools, and a practiced technique. I would either recommend
that you take a beginner's class on cake decorating or pick
up a video on the subject. Cake decorating stores often have
them for rent.

Quoted message said:

What is the simplest way to ice and decorate a cake that
makes it look as good as bought in a shop ?

I have made the cake from scratch, and its turned out quiet
good. Now I need to ice it. So do you have a fail proof way
of icing the cake and making it look good ? Or do you know
of something else that I can use as icing to mould onto or
around a cake ? What are some do's and don't with icing and
decorating cakes ?

TIA Nic

Well it helps if you have the right tools. A metal cake
spatula is the best tool for spreading icing on a cake and
a small offset spatula helps when you're trying to smooth
out the top. If you want the top of the cake to be
perfectly smooth then dip your spatula in hot water before
each time you run it across the top of your cake. Both the
heat from the water and the water itself will soften the
icing so it will smooth out more easily. Just don't get
your cake too wet.