Simple Cake Decorating » Supplies

Easy Cake Decorating with Jelly Beans

Linda Fannin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:46:59 +0000

Cheap, yummy and available in every color, jelly beans make great decorations.

Consider the possibilities:

Spell out names and messages

Use as roof tiles, brick or stone.

They can be jewelry, gemstones or pendants on a necklace.

Eyes, nose or mouth for critter cakes

They can make colorful borders .

Create rainbows, flowers, butterflys or other designs and patterns with them.

Have additional uses for Jelly Beans? Let us know!

List of Safe Flowers for Cake Decorating

Linda Fannin — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:21:04 +0000

A simple cake can be beautiful and elegant. One way to quickly decorate a cake is to use fresh flowers.

Here is a list of safe flowers. Remember that while some flowers are edible, it is best to just use them as decorations. Make sure they are pesticide free before using.

Apple Blossom, Malus spp.
Begonia, (most tuberous), Begonia X tuberhybrida
Borage, Borago officinalis (must remove hairy sepals from center)
Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus
Daisy (English), Bellis perennis
Freesia, Fuchsia X hybrida
Geranium, Pelargonuim spp.
Hibiscus
Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica
Impatiens, Impatiens wallerana
Johnny-Jump-Up, Viola tricolor
Lavender, Lavandula angustifola
Pansy, Viola X Wittrockiana
Rose, Rosa spp.
Tulips, Tulipa spp.
Violet, Viola odorata

Some Toxic Flowers and Plants:

Amaryllis, Hippeastrum puniceum
Anenome, Anemone spp.
Autumn or Meadow Crocus, Colchicum autumnale
Azalea, Rhododendrun spp.
Belladonna lily, Amaryllis spp.
Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae
Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis
Buttercup, Ranunculus spp.
Caladium, Caladuim bicolor
Calla Lily, Caladuim bicolor
Cardinal Flower, Lobelia spp.
Clematis, Clematis spp.
Crocus, Dutch, Crocus vernus.
Daffodil, Narcissus spp.
Datura, Datura spp.
Delphinium, Delphinium spp.
Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
Glorious lily, Glorious spp.
Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla
Iris, Iris spp.
Jessamine, Gelsemium spervirens
Lantana, Lantana spp.
Larkspur, Delphinium ajacis
Lily-of-the-Valley, Convallaria majalis
Lupine, Lupinus spp.
Monkshood, Aconitum spp.
Narcissus, Narcissus spp.
Oleander, Nerium oleander
Periwinkle, Vinca spp.
Poinsettia, Euphorbia (Poinsettia) pulcherrima
Rhododendron, Rhododendron spp.
Star of Bethlehem, Orinthogalum spp.
Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus
Wisteria, Wisteria spp.

Cake Board 101

Linda Fannin — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:11:10 +0000

Your cake needs a place to rest. Most of the time your simple round cakes will do fine on a cake plate or cake pedestal. However, your other sheet cakes will need a cake board.

Some options for cake boards:

hardwood pastry boards
plywood
foam core
cardboard
masonite

Once you’ve chosen a cake board, you’ll need to cover it. You are probably thinking that covering it with aluminum foil would be the easiest option. Yes, but it is not the most attractive or practical (it will tear easily when you’re cutting your cake).

Instead, consider covering with wrapping paper, fabric or decorative foil with a heavy cellophane layer to protect it.

Keep in mind, you do not want to distract people from the cake with a busy pattern, but a simple print or pattern can be a perfect finishing touch.

Try to have fun with it and see if you can find wrapping paper or other items that will fit your cakes design without overwhelming it. For instance, consider newspaper, maps, color copies of family photographs and scrapbooking paper which comes in a variety of themes, colors and patterns.

Essential Cake Supplies

Linda Fannin — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:48:05 +0000

I haven’t mentioned every utensil or tool you might need, but the ones that you may not already have and should get. Some (like the icing spatula) might require a trip to your local craft store, but you will use it every time.

Baking Pans: Invest in decent non-stick cake pans. I’d recommend having at least the following:

8 in. Round x2
9 in. Round x2
9×13 in. Rectangular
12 cup Cupcake Tins x2
Bundt

Cake Plates or Cake Boards: Cake boards can be made out of foam core, cardboard, plywood or masonite. Cover your cake board with a layer of fabric, wrapping paper or tissue paper then finish with a layer of cellophane.

Utensils:

Ruler
Cooling racks
Toothpicks
Icing spatulas – they come in a variety of sizes and look like a large knife with rounded blades. I would recommend getting at least an 8 in. straight or 9 in. angled. They are flexible and essential for giving cakes a smooth finish.