Friday, January 4, 2013

Learning to Decorate a Cake

I've wanted to take a cake decorating class for a while now, but resisted because...well....it just seemed so domestic.  But finally I decided to jump in and see how it went.  I really hated the first class and felt restless because all we really learned how to do was make the buttercream icing in different consistencies, fill a pastry bag with it, and make stars.  I was bored.  But something happened in the second class and I started to enjoy myself more.  The course ran for four classes, and I took pictures of my creations for the last three classes.  Keep in mind that I am very much a newbie and need more practice!

The first cake I made was a two layer white cake with my homemade wineberry jam between the layers.  I took it to my grandmother's house.  Everyone thought it was quite tasty.

The third class I made chocolate cupcakes with the buttercream frosting, filled with vanilla pudding.  I learned how to make little flowers, leaves, and the shaggy mum technique.

In the final class I did two layers of white cake with my homemade strawberry jam in between, a chocolate buttercream frosting, and a bunch of roses.
I stuck this cake straight in the deep freezer, as I am all junk-fooded out from the holidays.  It'll be a nice treat later this winter.  Classes were on sale last week for just $5 a piece, so I went ahead and signed up for the second level of cake decorating. 

How about you, readers?  Have you ever signed up for a class just for fun?

47 comments:

Heather said...

I have wanted to take a cake decorating class as well! My mom used to make all of her own cakes and had all of the little attachments to make stuff, but she got rid of it, and now I am trying to figure out if I will go for it or not.

andy said...

Wow I just need a glass of milk and I would be in heaven ! They all look great

Melanie said...

Yes, I took one, it was fun. You are only limited by your imagination! I make a cake for Daddy and Mama every year, once Daddy's cake was an old tractor. I used a rectangle pan for the body, a large round pan for the back tire and a small cake pan for the front tire. The icing was of course bright green, Daddy's favorite tractor! The model number was his age. I have made cakes with fields on them, using cocoa for the "dirt" and toy tractors on top. I drew one of his old trucks on a cake once and the icing was the color of his truck. My daughter liked smiley faces when she was a teen, those were easy to do. I have used cookie cutters to press an image onto the cake and filled the design in with icing stars. I am by NO means professional, but I have fun with it and try to let my imagination make up for the fact that I only took one course. Would love to take more, but they are not available here. Just have fun with it and let your imagination take over. Your loved ones will appreciate the fact that you made them a special cake, even if it is not perfect. Hope that you have lots of fun!!!
Organized storage can be an issue. The longer you do this, the more you accumulate. I store icing colors in an egg carton. If the color spills or leaks, the mess is in the egg carton. The other things are stored in clear plastic dollar store shoe boxes. I look for intersting pans at estate sales, and have found some icing tips and a couple of books at a moving sale. Just keep your eyes open and you will find some goodies!!

Anonymous said...

One of our daughter's does cake decorating. Mine would be an embarrassment next to what she can pull off. I guess some girls have the knack and some don't, but you are well on your way. I think placing a cake in the freezer for later is an awesome idea. :)

Gone Country said...

Great job!

I took one knitting class and enjoyed it but I didn't take anymore after that. Now, I've forgotten how to purl. One day I hope to take a few more knitting classes and possibly an intermediate sewing class or two.

Kerri Farley said...

I would LOVE to sign up for a water colors class .... but alas I'm too much of a chicken to do it.
Your cakes LOOK gREAT!
Kudos to you!!

Nancy said...

The last cake is a masterpiece! I don't do classes -- mostly a DIY kinda gal -- enjoy that cake whenever!

Anonymous said...

How fun and a great skill to have with three growing boys! Enjoy the weekend.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Wow Lisa I am impressed at your skills. They are beautiful. I would sure like to go into your freezer:) B

Slamdunk said...

Well done Lisa. I can't remember the last class that I took; which likely means I am missing out and due for one.

When I was a consultant, I worked with an elderly couple who had retired, got bored, and decided to open a bakery in their tiny little town. The business was just breaking even until the very talented lady started offering cake decorating classes--people started traveling from all around to work with her.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

You did a great job! All the work looks really good. When I was a teenager, my mother and sister-in-law took a cake decorating class, and I loved eating their samples! My sister-in-law ended up doing wedding cakes.

Anonymous said...

I've no desire--but you sure did lovely work! My mom took a class years ago when I was in high school. We ate LOTS of cakes then.

Unknown said...

You did an awesome job on them. We have junked out here too. We need to snack on veggies for awhile.

TexWisGirl said...

very cool! congrats on fulfilling a goal!

renae said...

Lisa! Look at you, Miss cake decorator. Great talent! Now lets have some cake!

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are gorgeous, you were a good student! I never thought pink would look good on chocolate, but it is really pretty. The first cake is also adorable! It would be perfect for a baby shower.

Karen Lakis said...

The cakes look great! My kids still laugh about the "Mom" cakes they got for their birthdays - needless to say they tasted better than they looked!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

You are doing great, Lisa. Glad you enjoy it and are doing so well with it. Love the roses in the last cake. Awesome!!!!

I don't do classes anymore --but they offer tons of them for retirees in our area IF I ever get bored and want to participate.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Our Neck of the Woods said...

They all look great, but I love the last one with the roses! It is so beautifully done. Great job!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Wow! Great roses. You cakes look nice. I love cake decorating. I am self taught from youtube. I have always wanted to take a class. Hope you have a great weekend.

An Apel a Day said...

I was going to with my sister. That was before she had Emerson. She stopped working and practically doesn't go any where any more.

Vision By Mila said...

well done, they look very good!

Yolanda Ronaldo said...

I just got a icing bag with some decorating tips for christmas and I am really looking forward to decorating some cakes and cupcakes :)

The Cranky said...

Beautifully done Lisa! I used to be a professional cake decorator and baker, oh the stories I could tell!

I've been wanting to take a local Chinese cooking class but will have to wait until a vehicle is available.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I haven't signed up for any fun classes but I think I should. You did a great job on these and those roses are beautiful!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I think your roses look pretty darn good for a newbie!!

Gail Dixon said...

Impressive cake decor there! Pastries, cakes and pies are a weakness for me, and I don't run like you, so if I did do a class like this, my thighs would show it. Every decade I seem to pick up a new hobby. It used to be tennis and now it's photography. :)

Jill said...

So pretty and very impressive! I can't wait to see the next batch.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness I think your cakes were lovely - great job. And I I would love to take a cake decorating class. I think it would be fun. Good idea.

Unknown said...

Ah, Lisa...I wish my upcoming (and dreaded) software training was this inviting! Everything looks great! :)

Anonymous said...

I couldn't get past wineberry jam. That sounds yummy! I think these are awesome and I admire you for doing something you ordinarily wouldn't do!

Karen said...

You did a gorgeous job decorating. These are beautiful! My daughter has done cakes for her three girls over the years and they are always so thrilled.

Michaele said...

I am still hung up on the wine-berry jam in between the layers. Good gosh that sounds yummy!

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

Wow, Lisa!! Those are impressive!

Eat To Live said...

Oh my gosh Lisa!! You did fantastic.... Wow!!!

Debbie said...

oh lisa, i would love to do that!! sounds fun and the cakes look amazing!!

i have wanted to take pottery classes forever and i just don't do it!! i always think, you have a gazillion projects you haven't finished and that need to be done, so i refrain, with much regret!!

Andrea said...

Those look great! $5 ??? That's an awesome deal. I have and I love to do stuff like that. :> I miss it, in fact; need to get back in gear.

Ellie said...

Hi Lisa, your cakes are looking very professional and tasty!!! You certainly picked it up quickly :))

In answer to your question about memory storage for pictures. If you go into your picasa (where your blog pictures will be stored) and scroll to the bottom of the page you will see the percentage of storage you have used. I had to resize my pictures to 800x600 to get by storage percentage down.
I hope that helps :))

Anonymous said...

Nice job!!
I my rural area, nothing is offered.

Marissa

An Apel a Day said...

Are there any classes you can take after this one? I always wondered if they have levels of classes on this kind of thing or not. I'd like to take one one fondant. I've never used the stuff before. Most of them are blah tasting. My sister has a pretty good recipe that doesn't taste too bad.

Are We There Yet! said...

You are doing so well at it, that you could sell wedding cakes. Dang are you good.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

How very beautiful.
My mommy decorated a doggy bone once.
love
tweedles

Clint Baker said...

They look so Yummy! You have such a great talent!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Oh, Bby Girl, that's one thing I still have on my radar! Great job and butter-creme icing is so versatile!...:)JP

Sally said...

You gave me a chuckle at your remark about taking the class sounding "domestic". :)

Good for you, Lisa. You are always doing something, and I am always amazed at everything with those precious busy little bodies.

I think you're doing really well, and looking forward to how you continue.

xoxo

Linda said...

Good job! They look great!

Amy said...

Love your decorating. It all looks yummy!