Advise Cake decorating for a beginner?

[mrs.h]

I am no expert, but can bake a few decent things. I want to start decorating cakes, any advise or book recommendation for beginners? Cake decorating seems to be a such a daunting task, but I would like to start practicing.

[Free Rider]

Wilton offers classes all over the place. The classes are good for learning technique and are cheap, but the recipe for icing is awful. Some instructors are better than others, but I like the little booklets that come with the classes.

[qahtan]

How ever you learn to do cake decorating, I suggest when you want to do any sort of piping, it would help to practise with mash potato. that way should all go to pot you can scrape it together and try again.;-)))
I am not a lover of Wilton, I prefer the Australian style of cake decorating.
qahtan.

[m brown]

What state do you live in?

Ateco has a website, atecousa.com and they are video technique for rolled fondant.

I teach private classes, but in NY.

There are so many classes going on.....

[qahtan]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58...bake/cake6.jpg

I live in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario.... qahtan

[Free Rider]

Originally Posted by qahtan

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58...bake/cake6.jpg

I live in the Niagara Peninsula, Ontario.... qahtan

That is beautiful!

[mudbug]

It depends on what type of decorating you want to do and what material you want to work with.

For piping, there are many kits with practice board sets that have actual size photos of the technique. You overlay this with clear vinyl and practice right over/next to the photos.

[mrs.h]

thanks for all the responses. I am in the Portland Oregon area, I will look up classes on Wilton.com. I am going to pick up a set and start practicing.

[Free Rider]

Let us know if you find good recipes that work for decorating. Wilton recipes are just yucky, even though they shape well.

For those interested in colors that are not chemicals, I've found India Tree food coloring to be very good. They produce natural colors... blue, red and yellow, so you can make the full spectrum.

[mrs.h]

Free rider,
Thanks for the color choices. I am planning on picking up a set of tubes, colors etc. If all goes well, I will try to make a cake next weekend!