START WITH:
Cake recipe - or use a box mix
Frosting recipe
Practice Practice Practice
MUST HAVE TOOLS:
Offset spatula
Aluminum pans (not black)
Cake Leveler - or use knife and toothpicks to mark
Decorating bags - can use ziplocs
Tips/couplers (optional)
Food Color Gel is best
To purchase supplies:
You can find certain items at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's, etc. plus Karen Annes on Gravois
(or a cake supply store near you)
Boards/boxes/foil/bags/tips/cake filling
Bake Cake –box mix (betty crocker is my fave) – mix in eggs & oil then slowly add water to get a cake with no large air pockets
extra egg / butter instead of oil / milk(coconut) instead of water / dry pudding mix
lower the temp / use insulator strips / rotate pans
1 Mix yields 4 cups batter / approx. 2 lbs.
use 2 or 3 leftover yolks to sub for no more than 1 egg per mix
remove all but 1 yolk per white mix to get a light fluffy cake that still cuts well
USE BAKER’s JOY*** or DIY goop
Cool / Split / Level
Fill – build a dam / use frosting or cake filling (not both)
place top cake/ and smooth side gap
Crumb Coat – if necessary (I find this just makes top coating more difficult)
I only do this on ‘cut’ cakes, when I’m building something
Frost – can use part or all butter but won’t work as well
Smooth with Viva (printer paper or parchment) / imprint with a textured towel or a
clean piece of ‘non-slip’ or texture sheets (aliexpress)
Frosting can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen – but bring to room temperature before using
Decorate – piping bags / tips / color icing
Can use Ziploc bags or parchment paper cones
Border / write
2 days prior to serving – Bake cakes - cool in pan till you can ‘hold’ it
Larger cakes should cool longer so they don't crack
dump out-cool ‘as is’ on the bottom of pan /level off the top & then cool cut side down
fill cake – let sit overnite (this minimizes the side bulge look)
1 days prior to serving – (Bake cupcakes) Frost / smooth / decorate
Pan | Svgs (2-layer) | Party svgs | Cups Batter each pan |
6" round | 12 | 10 | 2 - 4 / 1 mix |
8" round | 24 | 15 | 3 - 6 / 1 1/2 mixes |
9" round | 43 | 20 | 4 - 8 / 2 mixes |
10" round | 38 | 25 | 5 - 10 / 2 1/2 mixes |
6" round 3" | - | 5 | 2 / 1/2 mix |
8" round 3" | - | 10 | 4 / 1 mix |
10" round 3" | - | 15 | 6 / 1 1/2 mix |
9x13 | 24 | 20 | 8 / 2 mixes |
double 1/4 | 50 | 35 | 3.5 mixes for two |
12x18 | 54 | 30 | 12 / 3 mixes |
double 1/2 | 98 | 60 | 3 mixes each |
6" square | 18 | 10 | 2 - 4 / 1 mix |
8" square | 32 | 20 | 4 - 8 / 2 mixes |
10" square | 50 | 30 | 6 - 12 / 3 mixes |
If you have a scale – 1 mix yields 4 cups or 2 lbs. or 32 oz.
Where the above says 2 cups – you’ll put 1 lb. Or 16oz.
Small batch Decorator Buttercream
1/2 lb. Crisco (1 1/8c.) - 8oz. (I use7.5 oz.)
can use part or all butter but won’t work as well
Walmart–shortening (whiter, similar to hi ratio)/vegetable shortening taste test
2 lb. powdered sugar
scant 1/2 c. milk or water - warm helps it mix better
hold back some liquid for stiffer frosting – it will stiffen a bit when the water cools
if you’re frosting cupcakes, a thinner frosting will be easier on your hands.
1 tsp. flavoring each - clear vanilla & clear butter
1 tsp. salt
Chocolate Buttercream
Sub 1 lb. powdered sugar with ¾c. cocoa (SACO dutch cocoa is my fave)
Add flavoring and salt (and cocoa) to shortening and start mixing on low.
Alternately add powdered sugar and water while mixing.
After all powdered sugar is added, stop and scrape bowl well.
Mix on low for 2 minutes.
cake mix extender
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Mix all ingredients together in a ziploc
store in fridge - add a couple Tbsp. to a half mix to get 12 cupcakes
3 Tbsp. to a full mix to get 24
I just use a couple Tbsp. out of another mix since I go through so many
When making cupcakes, a scoop is best for even sized
I use the large Pampered Chef scoop (holds approx. 3 Tbsp.)
Quick Fix Chocolate Cupcakes****
1 1/2 c. flour makes 18 cupcakes
1 c. sugar fill liners 2/3 full
1/4 c. cocoa powder bake at 375 16-18
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 c. hot water
Cake goop – DIY pan release
Even amounts: Crisco, oil, flour
Mix well, does go bad eventually
WASC-popular cake mix adaptation
1 box mix
1 c flour
1 c sugar
Dash salt
½ c melted butter (optional)
1 c milk
1 c sour cream
1 small pkg pudding (optional)
4 egg white (or 3 whole eggs)
1 tsp almond
This will yield the equivalent of 1.5 mixes so adjust pan size accordingly.
https://delishably.com/desserts/Cake-Decorating-Basics-How-to-Extend-a-Boxed-Cake-Mix
my web-site – www.terisdesserts.com feel free to steal ideas ;)
find links to Meramec classes here https://terisdesserts.com/classes
There is a list of ‘my’ classes there too.
on this blog:
3/26/23-sprinkled filled cake/jersey cake/RV cake
2/19/23 – how to make a Faultline cake
2/15/23 – how to make an airplane cake
8/22/22 – the making of a Snoopy cake
9/26/20 - how to assemble a large 3D golf bag cake
2/21/20 - how to make a roller skate RK cake topper
1/1/20 - how to make a dog face cake using cake scraps also how to make a Tshirt cake
9/11/19 - how to assemble a tiered cake also how to frost a square cake
4/24/19 - how to make RK Dino cake toppers
8/21/18 - how to make a shape #3 cake with no waste also a cute simple lamb cake
9/6/16 - how to make MMF marshmallow fondant
9/11/19 how to assemble a tiered cake - Hammer a dowel down the center
Also a video of how to frost corners on a square cake
10/4/15 - #1 Elmo cake using the multi use cake pan (love it!)
8/16/15 - 3D 4-wheeler cake
12/30/14 - multi use pan again - shaped #40 + a cake showing a good use for cake scraps
3/11/14 - shaped Dino cake
9/14/13 - Cake made from chocolate chip cookies…
3/24/13 - building a 3D firetruck cake
6/25/12 - Awareness ribbon cake
3/13/12 - 3D frog cake
There's a great video on frosting a cake here:
https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/how-to-frost-a-smooth-cake-with-buttercream/
I don't use a measuring cup (so I don't have to clean it)
Same with the jumbo tip to frost the sides. You've probable seen the Cake Boss use this technique.
Visit www.aliexpress.com set up an account for less $$ supplies
Make sure you never pay for shipping!! (it takes a while to get to you fyi)
If you find something you like, there’ll be another one with no shipping
Visit www.cakecentral.com for loads of ideas, help, etc. from people just like us
You need to set up an account but it’s free
Check out: YouTube – Buttercream Flower Series
