| Everyone loves to present a yummy looking cake | | | | turn out as a spectacular presentation. |
| and cookies to their friends, co-workers or at | | | | Open Star Tips: These tips seem to be popular, |
| that special social event. But, cake and cookie | | | | especially with bakers who like to decorate |
| decorating can be challenging and time consuming. | | | | cupcakes. The most common tip is the #1M, |
| Many people who want to add a designer touch | | | | which is used to decorate the tops of cupcakes. |
| to their cake or cookie creations often fall short | | | | The large star-shaped opening is effective when |
| of what they had in mind. | | | | creating large puffy swirls. |
| Does this sound like you? You practically have | | | | Round Tips: These tips are essential for those |
| icing bag in hand when you suddenly find yourself | | | | wishing to decorate cakes and cookies. The round |
| with some cake decorating challenge that requires | | | | opening makes them perfect to outline and script. |
| some expert advice. | | | | The tips seems to be perfect for outlining shapes |
| So, you start flipping through those cake | | | | on cookies, and just the right size for writing |
| decorating books sitting on your shelf, but the | | | | letters on cakes. |
| answers or instructions you need are no where in | | | | Multi-Opening Tips: These tips are used to create |
| sight. | | | | rows and clusters of beads, stars. The most |
| You quickly head to your computer, and search | | | | popular multi-opening tips is #233, commonly used |
| through every cake and cookie decorating | | | | to create grass, hair or fur on cake-creatures. |
| website you can find for an answer. An hour | | | | The triple star tip is good for filling in large areas |
| later, you find yourself still searching and ready to | | | | with colored frosting. |
| give up on the confusing instructions. You are not | | | | Try not to get discouraged. A good way to |
| alone! | | | | perfect and practice your cake and cookie |
| Instead of getting the answers and help you | | | | decorating skills, is to make a batch of practice |
| need, you jump from one website to another, | | | | icing to get the feel for cake decorating |
| and email several websites hoping to get your | | | | techniques. Pipe designs directly onto a cookie pan |
| question answered. And, in the meantime, your | | | | and just scrape off to reuse. Practice icing can be |
| cake is sitting on your kitchen counter waiting to | | | | kept for months in an airtight container. |
| be decorated. You are frustrated but need to | | | | Here's a good recipe for Practice Icing: |
| complete the cake decoration for the event that | | | | 1 cup shortening |
| is planned just 12 hours away! | | | | 1 lb confectioner's sugar |
| Maybe you want to know how to decorate a | | | | 2-3 Tablespoons of water |
| cake for a bridal shower, a retirement party, or a | | | | Place the shortening in a mixing bowl. Beat until |
| family gathering. So, what do you do? You could | | | | softened. Add confectioner's sugar, and then |
| call a professional cake decorating business and | | | | water. Beat on medium speed until creamy, |
| pay hundreds of dollars to have your cake | | | | scraping the bowl sides as necessary. (Note: You |
| decorated, or you can purge ahead and hope | | | | will need 2 Tbsp for borders and flowers; 3 Tbsp |
| your artistic ability or homemade decorations will | | | | for lines and string work. |