Along with the gifts, the cake is the center piece of any birthday party whether it is for a child or a grandparent. It is admired by all during the singing of Happy Birthday and should look fantastic and taste delicious. The taste depends on what type of cake it is, but the look depends on the decoration.
Birthday cake decoration should have a theme that reflects something about the guest of honor. Start by making a list of likes, hobbies, age and unique characteristics. Is she a little princess? Is he a football enthusiast? Is the cake in the shape of an animal, car or cartoon character? Once the theme is decided the strategy for achieving it can be planned.
Start with the color of the background or main frosting. It can be vanilla white, chocolate or any color by adding food coloring to white frosting. Colors that go well together are important, because they will make the cake look even more appealing. A random, clashing array of colors can hinder the appetite.
When it is time to decorate the cake use plenty of icing. The cake will look better with a thick coat of icing. Use an offset spatula and spread the frosting all in one direction. Start in the center of the top and work to the edges. When starting a new spot, pick up the spatula and put the next glob of icing in the next empty space. If the spatula is rubbed back and forth, it will cause crumbs from the cake to enter the frosting and not have a smooth look. Continue to add icing until the sides are smooth all the way around and the top is flat. To get an especially smooth finish, dip the spatula in hot water and dry it. The warm spatula will smooth the icing better.
Decorate the top of the party cake first before piping around the edges. Using frosting applicators with different tips, flowers and leaves can be added. For a special design such as a bicycle, soccer ball or castle there are stencils that can be laid over the cake and colored sugar sprinkled into the design. Once the center of the cake is finished the border can be added at the top and the bottom.
There are pre-made sugar objects and some plastic ornaments that can be included. Sometimes a specialty chocolate shop will create unique items for decorations.
For writing Happy Birthday, a name or other greeting add 1 teaspoon of corn syrup for each half cup of icing. This will give smoother writing. The cake is ready to be presented to the party along with the gifts and a Happy Birthday song.
Decorating a birthday cake gets easier every time. It’s fun to practice and to eat the results.
Birthday Cake Ducklings for Triplets
Three Ducklings Birthday Cakes
A Facebook Fan who is also a friend of a friend made these adorable ducklings for her triplets' second birthday party. I do not know the recipe for the base cake, but I can tell you there is an awful lot of icing.
My daughter and I took a cupcake decorating class that showed how you can cut the cake into different shapes and "glue" them to the base with icing. That must be how the head and beaks are made. The little hats could be solid icing. We made trees that were solid icing. There was such a lot of sugar, we couldn't eat them, but they sure were cute.
The three wash tubs are adorable and make it easy to keep the cakes upright. My Fan/Friend is one creative mama! I am proud she is sharing her photo with all of us.
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