Free online courseCake decorating 101

Course Description

Cake Decorating 101 is a comprehensive course designed for aspiring cake decorators who wish to master the intricate art of decorating cakes. With a duration of 2 hours and 59 minutes, this professional course falls under the Culinary subcategory, making it an ideal choice for both hobbyists and professionals looking to enhance their cake decorating skills.

The course kicks off with the fundamental skill of baking a classic yellow cake, setting a solid foundation for your cake decorating journey. The expert instructors guide you through the essential steps of leveling and torting a cake, ensuring that your cake layers are even and perfectly prepared for further decoration. The course then progresses to assembling and filling a cake, giving you important insights into the structural aspects of cake building.

Icing techniques form a crucial part of cake decorating, and this course offers detailed instructions on using Tip #789 for icing a cake and applying a crumb coat using a spatula. You'll also learn how to achieve the perfect buttercream icing consistency and explore the vibrant world of coloring icing and making the elusive red frosting.

Decorating bags are essential tools for cake decorators, and this course provides step-by-step guidance on how to utilize them effectively. Discover the art of piping buttercream rosettes, experimenting with different tips and sizes, and mastering the basic five petal flower. The course also demonstrates various decorative techniques using tips 4B, 1M, and 2D, opening up a variety of design possibilities.

For left-handed decorators, there's specialized content to make cake and cupcake decorating more intuitive and enjoyable. You'll also learn how to bake and decorate with a character cake pan—perfect for themed celebrations—and explore four easy ways to decorate a cake in a snap.

Fondant work is another key area covered in the course. Learn how to cover a round cake with fondant, make buttercream dots, and use a grass tip for creating realistic buttercream grass and fur effects. The course includes advanced techniques like spatula striping and color striping a piping bag, spatula iced cake designs, and piping a buttercream basketweave cake design.

For the more elaborate cake designs, the course teaches you how to stack a tiered cake and make and use the right royal icing consistency. You’ll also delve into fondant handling skills such as kneading, rolling, and storing, achieving the right fondant consistency and texture, and choosing the right baking pan to suit your needs.

The course is rounded off with practical tips and delicious recipes, including an easy homemade marshmallow fondant recipe, and guidelines on storing leftover buttercream frosting, royal icing, and fondant. You’ll also be introduced to meringue powder, an essential ingredient for various decorating projects.

Cake Decorating 101 is packed with valuable information and hands-on techniques that transform baking enthusiasts into proficient cake decorators. Whether you're a beginner looking to start small or an experienced baker aiming to refine your skills, this course offers a thorough, step-by-step approach to mastering the beautiful art of cake decorating.