How to Get Smooth Icing / Frosting

I remember when I first started decorating cakes. I hated it!! I couldn't stand frosting the cakes because I could never get it smooth. Whenever I did get the cake smooth I had to use a ton of icing. I remember standing in my father's kitchen, frosting a cake for an hour! Yes I said an hour! Craziness...just plain frustrating. I knew there had to be a better way. I practiced and practiced but still had trouble in this area. My cakes began to taste better, I didn't have issues using fondant, I only had issues getting a smooth coat of frosting. After reading numerous forums and watching some YouTube video I finally came across a method that worked for me...the Melvira Method.

The Melvira method is when you use a high density foam roller to accomplish a smooth coat. After evenly apply the icing, you let the cake sit for a little while so the frosting will crust. Oh, did I mention you have to use a crusting buttercream or this won't work. Like I said before, a crusting buttercream (http://sharronstake.blogspot.com/2014/01/crusting-buttercream-recipe.html) is one that is clean to the touch after it dries. This means when you touch it, no frosting will come off on your finger. After the buttercream crusts, you roll your cake until its nice and smooth. Check out my video below for more details and instruction!!

This technique has worked the BEST for me and believe me I have tried everything. I've tried the upside down method, hot knife method, paper towel / wax paper and the list goes on and on. Now this is my go to method for wedding cakes and special occasions. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! As always be blessed.  

How to Make a Minecraft Cake

It all started with me asking my nephew what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. "Minecraft, I want a Minecraft cake!" " I have to admit that I have been asked in the past to make a Minecraft cake but they wanted the pixilated look which is labor intensive and requires a lot fondant  I thought to myself, there has to be a simpler way to make this cake without all the fuss of fondant. For all the Moms, Aunts, or beginner cakers out there that want to know how to pull off a simple version of this cake...here it is!!

Tools:

Spoon

Spatula

Sharp knife

Grass Tip

Coupler

Decorators bag

Minecraft figurines

Cake board

Two 9"x13" chocolate cakes

Green Buttercream  (around 5 cups)

Blue Buttercream (1 cup)

Directions: 

Place one chocolate 9"x13" cake on cake board. Using spatula, thinly frost top of cake with green icing. Don't worry about crumbs in your coat because you will be adding another layer of frosting 
that will cover it later

.                                    

Cut second 9"x13" cake into cut three pieces:

1. Square shape - 4"x4"

2. F shape - 6"x6"

3. L shape - 3"x4"                                                                              

 Final arrangement will look like picture below.

Place both on corners of the cake and thinly frost the tops.
With grass tip, cover tops of the frosted areas with green frosting.
Hold tip at 90 degrees, gently squeeze and pull up.
See picture below.

Leave area, about 4"x6," unfrosted. Using back of spoon, add blue frosting to uncovered area.  Once covered, make peaks with spoon. To make peaks, make "S" shaped design and then pull away at 45 degree angle.  It will resemble ways.
Add figurines wherever you see fit! For my details, see video below.Have fun and happy caking!!

Four Quick and Easy Buttercream Piping Techniques for Cupcakes

Over the years, I have always been asked how I get my frosting on my cupcakes to look the way it does. I've come to realize that some tools and techniques cake decorators may know may not be common knowledge for others. So I decided to make a piping tutorial for cupcakes.

This video shows you four easy and beautiful techniques you can use to really make your cupcakes stand out. I hope this helps...Happy decorating!!!

                                  

1. The Swirl

2. The Rose

3. The Star

4. Multiple Stars / Bouquet 

How to Make a Army / Milatary Camouflage Cake

 I recently made a camouflage cake for a friend and I was surprised how easy it was to
make! I decided to make a quick and easy guide to follow!!

Tools Required

1. At least 3 piping bags filled with different colored CRUSTING buttercream

FYI: Crusting buttercream is frosting that will dry to the touch.

 2. High density foam roller and offset spatula

Step One: Crumb Coat Cake 

 Step Two: Make abstract patterns on cake

Make sure the same color of buttercream is never touching

Once complete let buttercream dry for five minutes.Don't worry if some of the white crumb coat shows from underneath. It won't when you're finished.

Step Three: Roll cake gently with foam roller until smooth

Do not stay on one area of the frosting too long. Over rolling the cake in one area will result
in the oils from the cake rising out of the frosting, making the foam roller wet. It make also
result in bleeding of one color into another. 

Step Four: Finish with the border of your choice

 

 

Watch my YouTube video for more instructions