Pastry Bag Decorator Tips

New cake craze pops up: cake balls

Makes 48 cake pops
1 boxed cake mix, baked
3/4 can vanilla frosting
3 (1-pound) packages white chocolate candy coating
1 package of 50 cake pop sticks
Multicolored candy corn
1 cake pop stand (available at most craft stores)
1 pastry bag
1 small bag pastel-colored M&Ms
In a large bowl, break up cake into fine crumbs, eliminating all chunks. Add frosting, then cream together with cake crumbs until mixture reaches a Play-Doh-like consistency. With your hands (wearing thin, latex gloves), mold batter into small, cone-shaped balls, then place on cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours in refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Melt candy coating, one package at a time, according to package directions. (Tip: if candy coating is too thick, add 3 tablespoons solid shortening per package to candy coating and reheat in microwave to achieve a thinner consistency).
Taking a few cake balls out of the refrigerator at a time, dip the end of an empty cake-pop stick into the melted candy coating, then pierce the center of the narrowest end of cone-shaped cake ball, pushing no more than halfway through. Holding the stick with the pop facing down, dip entire pop into the melted candy coating. Remove pop slowly and lift upward, allowing excess candy coating to drip down toward the stick. Rotate (or spin) the pop as the coating drips down to achieve even coating and cover all "bald" spots. Set coated pops in cake pop stand. Add melted candy coating to pastry bag.
Using coating like glue, squeeze a thin layer on top of cake pops. Carefully arrange candy corns in desired colors to make the petals of the flowers. Squeeze more candy coating on the middle of the flower petals, and top with M&M of your choice.
Recipe from Celia Thompson, instructor of the cake pop class at the Culinary Center of Kansas City.
MCT

If there is one person responsible for the exploding popularity of cake pops, it is Angie Dudley of Atlanta, better known as Bakerella. Her wildly popular cake pop blog (www.bakerella.com) and book, "Cake Pops: Tips, Tricks and Recipes for More Than 40 Irresistible Mini Treats," have brought the fun and creativity of cake pops to bakers around the globe. Recently we talked to her about the cake-pop craze.
Question: Who invented cake pops?

10 Great Cake Decorating Ideas For Beginners | House and Garden Design

Cake decorating isn’t difficult like some people make it out to be. With the following 10 cake decorating ideas for beginners, you can start decorating your cakes from today.

Tips

You first need to get a few things ready. This includes a clean apron, icing, a frosting spatula, and toothpicks.

Apart from that, you need to clearly identify your theme. You can base your theme on the occasion. Birthday cakes can be decorated with a few stars or flower and the age done in the middle of the cake. You may also decide to go for an action figure like batman. You may also settle on a simple decorating of beautiful colors.

You can start by practicing your decoration first especially if you do not any specific shapes in mind. Do not practice on the cake.

Do the same with your icing, practice beforehand. You can prepare separate icing at home for this purpose to avoid wasting the icing that you buy. However, you may also decide to practice with the icing that you bought. Ensure that this will be different for the icing that you will use with the actual cake.

Practicing doesn’t stop with the icing and decorations; you also need to practice, using your frosting spatula and your decorating or pastry bag.

Before you start decorating the cake, ensure that it has been cooled at least for about forty five to sixty minutes. You then need to trim and level your cake before you start decorating. Your icing has to be even in order to create a uniform look. Be consistent in the amount of pressure you put in the icing decorating bag. Ensure that the icing has a smooth finishing.

Another great idea is to put a top and a bottom border on your cake. This will make your cake look much better. Begin with the bottom border before putting the top border.

If you decide to color your cake, mix the colors before you start decorating. Ensure that you mix them in a lighter shade than what you want. This is because when the colors start cooling, they begin to become darker. Also avoid using paste colors; gel colors give a better finish.

The added decorations are put last. This includes the shapes, flowers or writings. Stick them in the cake and then wait for them to dry in.

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