The only way I've ever decorated cookies is by using some pretty remedial tools - butter knives and toothpicks and such growing up. When I worked part time at a bakery I learned to decorate using icing in a freezer bag with a corner cut by scissors. This is much more efficient than it sounds, and once you get used to using this bag method, it's very nice. I just didn't feel like I could incorporate much variety...........
And so I decided to take a couple of cake decorating classes. I blatantly admitted my reason for being there - to make my cookies cuter; I am not a cake person. (Have to set the right expectations up front, right?) Now, silly me, I thought it would be all about using the little tips to learn a variety of looks; and maybe have to bake a cake for the last class or something. I pictured little pieces of acetate covered with my practice strokes. The class does cover using tips, but for the second week, we had to bring an iced cake to class to decorate. An already iced cake. Homework. I am not afraid of my oven often. It doesn't often operate the way I'd like it to (see an entry below) but I generally don't like cake. The only cake I had ever frosted was a 9 x 13 carrot cake - you just smear cream cheese frosting on the top. I don't like to bake them, not really crazy about eating them. (This is why I do cookies). Sigh. So I baked a cake and put on that Crisco frosting that the class makes you use (on the sides, too, of this round cake). And I used the tips and my cake was cute!
And so I decided to take a couple of cake decorating classes. I blatantly admitted my reason for being there - to make my cookies cuter; I am not a cake person. (Have to set the right expectations up front, right?) Now, silly me, I thought it would be all about using the little tips to learn a variety of looks; and maybe have to bake a cake for the last class or something. I pictured little pieces of acetate covered with my practice strokes. The class does cover using tips, but for the second week, we had to bring an iced cake to class to decorate. An already iced cake. Homework. I am not afraid of my oven often. It doesn't often operate the way I'd like it to (see an entry below) but I generally don't like cake. The only cake I had ever frosted was a 9 x 13 carrot cake - you just smear cream cheese frosting on the top. I don't like to bake them, not really crazy about eating them. (This is why I do cookies). Sigh. So I baked a cake and put on that Crisco frosting that the class makes you use (on the sides, too, of this round cake). And I used the tips and my cake was cute!
So we baked a cake a week. I wanted desperately to revert to my crafty ways and just decorate styrofoam, but I caved. I even did a 2 layer cake. (This is where you oooooh and aaaahhhhhhh).
I'm now taking the next level to learn about fondant. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
I'm now taking the next level to learn about fondant. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
Tip of the week:
Whatever store you take your cake decorating class from, use their coupons for everything or you will go broke. Very fast. And make Wilton (I always picture the volleyball from Cast Away, even though it's name was Wilson) very rich. Also look into local stores that are not chains. We have a lovely Decorator's Grocery here with helpful people and their prices will not jump until May on these items (unlike the store I'm taking the class through - they have already hiked everything).
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