Cake Decorating Basics
 Buttercream icing is the best icing for taste and good decorating results.

Adding Color to Icing
 The trick to coloring icing is to add the color a little at a time and to mix it in well before you add more.
 Use paste icing color for most cake decorating.

Icing the Cake
 Decorations on a cake look their best when the cake has a smoothly iced surface.
 Start with a level cake surface.

Icing the Cake
 Put layers together with icing

Icing the Cake
 Ice the top of the cake first.
 Cover the sides and smooth out icing

Types of Bags
 Decorating Bags hold the icing and decorating tips so you can create all kinds of decorations.
 Coupler -tool that lets you change tips on the decorating bag so you can make borders, flowers, and other trims using different tips on the same bag of icing.

Decorating Bags
 Disposable
Decorating Bags-clear, plastic and good for fast decorating.
 Parchment Bags -you can make a decorating bag from parchment paper.

Filling a Decorating Bag
1. Remove ring from coupler and push the coupler into the narrow end of the bag.
2. Mark the bag with a pencil where the lower threads appear.
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Remove coupler and trim bag at pencil mark.
Push the coupler back into the bag to expose the bottom threads.
Position a decorating tip over the coupler and screw the ring in place.
To change tips, remove the ring, replace the tip and ring.

Filling a Decorating Bag

Filling a Decorating Bag
7.
To fill a bag, cuff open end over your hand.
Use a spatula to fill the bag ½ to ⅔ full of icing.
8. Twist the end of the bag closed, forcing the icing down into the bag and tip.

Basics of Decorating
 1. Consistency
 Flowers require a stiff consistency icing
 Borders require a medium consistency icing
 Writing and leaves require thin consistency icing

Basics of Decorating
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2. Bag Position
90 ° angle-the decorating bag is held perpendicular to the surface of the cake.

Basics of Decorating
 45 ° angle-the decorating bag is held at a slight angle to the surface you are decorating.

Basics of Decorating
 3. Pressure Control the amount of pressure applied to the decorating bag, as well as the size of the opening in the decorating tip will determine the size of the icing decoration.

Novelty Shaped Cakes
1. Ice sides and other areas per instructions smooth.
2. Outline details.

Novelty Shaped Cakes
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Pipe in facial features, small details, window, doors, etc.
Cover areas with stars, stripes, zigzags or hair.

Novelty Shaped Cakes
5.
Add message.
6.
Edge top and base with borders. Attach flowers or trims.

Buttercream Icing
1 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
4 cups (1 lb) confectioner’s sugar
2 Tablespoons water or milk
Cream shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, beating well on medium speed. Add water or milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use.