First Cake Attempt

I ended up not making it to the 2nd class due to my tooth issue. I did make a Tigger cake but just iced it plain. Today I decided to make a round cake and try out the icing technique we were shown. Well, it might take a little practice as the sides of my cake definitely show lines where I iced and did not smooth it out. My icing must have been too soft this time as it didn't set well. Also when I tried to smooth it out using a paper towel, I definitely learned what the teacher was saying about the towels. Mine has an imprint on it and they need to be smooth. The icing did set up okay but I really didn't ice the cake as smooth as I should have.

My icing was too soft so when I attempted to make roses, they were a little wobbly. I also tried to make leaves and they didn't turn out so well. I was pulling the tip away from the cake to form the leaf but it didn't end in a point, so my roses look like they have ferns for leaves.

This Friday will be the second class where we do hands on decorating and I am going early to see what I missed last week.

I will be baking another cake for class and it will be a 9" round cake. I will pay closer attention when I make the icing as well.

One thing I have learned is that the pan grease recipe we were given works great. You make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge till needed. I don't think it goes bad, you probably use it up first. I am sure I have at least 4 more cakes to make for class and maybe more if practice doesn't go well.

Hopefully I will be able to post a picture of my first cake here. Please be kind if you leave comments.

Cake Decorating

I have always wanted to learn to decorate cakes and last night I attended my first class to do just that. Since 1980 I have used the Wilton cake pans to make character cakes for my kids. My first cake was Cookie Monster and he turned out pretty good. While I enjoy the character cakes and have done quite a few, I really want to learn how to do the roses, fancy borders, etc. I don't think I'll ever be a professional, but I would like to make my cakes look more professional.

The first class was more about what you need for the class and what you will learn. This week I will be baking a character cake to take to class next Friday. I will probably do that Thursday. In class we were given a cake recipe and an icing recipe that we will use throughout this class.

I haven't yet chosen the cake pan I will use, but I have many (cookie monster, dinosaur, car/jeep, etc.) I am also going to invest in Wilton cake pans and this week make my family a two layer cake. We were shown how to ice a cake last night and I want to practice. The technique is so simple yet produces fantastic results.

Stay tuned to this post as I will be posting pictures of my class projects. Yes, you will see the attempts, failures and hopefully successes.

For my next class I have to make my cake, prepare my icing (which I found can stay in my fridge for up to 6 wks if stored properly) and buy the rest of my supplies.

If you would like to learn more about cake decorating and you have a Hobby Lobby close by, please check out their Wilton cake decorating courses. My course was only $17.50 as they were having a half off special. I purchased my Wilton Course I kit at 40% using the internet coupon I get through email and I heard that next week all Wilton supplies will be 40% off, so I can get the rest of my class supplies.