Introduction
Baking a cake from scratch and decorating it can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. However, with the help of How to Cake It, an online resource for baking and cake decorating, even novice bakers can create beautiful and delicious cakes. In this article, we will explore some of the tips, hacks, and lessons from How to Cake It, as well as provide some delicious cake recipes.
The Beginner’s Guide to Baking Like a Pro: Tips from How to Cake It
Baking like a pro means producing cakes with a professional finish, taste, texture, and consistency. Here are some tips on how to improve your baking skills from How to Cake It:
1. Follow the recipe precisely: Baking is a science, and even the smallest deviation from the recipe can produce a dramatically different result.
2. Use quality ingredients: If you want your cake to taste good, you need to use good quality ingredients. Always use fresh eggs, unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality cocoa powder.
3. Measure your ingredients accurately: Baking is all about precision, so make sure to measure your ingredients accurately using a digital scale or measuring cup.
4. Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your ingredients, especially eggs, butter, and milk, are at room temperature before using them. This will help them mix and incorporate better.
5. Don’t overmix: Overmixing can cause gluten to develop, producing a tough cake. Mix the batter just until everything is combined evenly.
10 Delicious Cake Hacks from How to Cake It for Everyday Bakers
Cake hacks are simple, creative, and time-saving techniques and tools that can make a baker’s life easier and their cakes more impressive. Here are ten cake hacks from How to Cake It:
1. Cut a cake into multiple layers using dental floss: Wrap dental floss around the cake, and pull it through the cake to create a clean and even cut.
2. Use parchment paper for a mess-free cake: Place parchment paper at the bottom of the cake pan, and your cake will come out clean, with no burnt bits on the sides.
3. Use a cookie cutter for cake decorating: Place a cookie cutter on top of the cake, and sprinkle powdered sugar or cocoa powder inside the cutter for a perfectly decorated cake.
4. Freeze a cake before frosting it: Freezing the cake can make it easier to frost and decorate, as the cake won’t crumble or fall apart as easily.
5. Use a hairdryer to remove sprinkles: Warm up your sprinkles with a hairdryer and remove the excess with a brush or your hand.
6. Use a cookie scoop for uniformly sized cupcakes: Use a cookie scoop to get uniformly sized cupcakes that will bake evenly.
7. Use a ziplock bag for piping: Fill a ziplock bag with frosting, snip off a corner and voila- you have a makeshift piping bag!
8. Use a cake turntable for frosting: A cake turntable can make frosting and decorating cakes easier and more efficient.
9. Use edible cake lace for a fancy finish: Use edible lace to add a touch of elegance to your cake easily.
10. Use edible gold spray for a touch of glam: Dust your cake with some edible gold spray and your cake will turn heads.
How to Master Cake Decorating: Lessons Learned from How to Cake It
Cake decorating is an essential part of making beautiful cakes. Here are some lessons on cake decorating from How to Cake It:
1. Choose the right tools: Having the right tools can make cake decorating easier. Invest in good quality decorating tips, piping bags, and turntables.
2. Practice piping: Piping is one of the essential skills in cake decorating. Practice different techniques and designs and get comfortable with your piping bags and tips.
3. Use ganache for a smooth finish: Ganache is a mixture of chocolate and cream that can be used as a base layer for your cake. It creates a smooth and flat surface for your frosting and decorations.
4. Layer your frosting: Layering your frosting can make your cake look more refined, polished and give it depth and texture.
5. Personalize your cake: Personalize your cake with edible images, monograms, or custom cake toppers to make it one-of-a-kind.
From Box Mixes to Showstoppers: Elevate Your Cake Game with How to Cake It
Just because you’re using a box mix doesn’t mean your cake can’t be show-stopping. Here’s how How to Cake It can help elevate your cake game:
1. Add your own twists: Add fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips to your mix to create a unique flavor and texture.
2. Soak your cake: Brush syrup or flavored liquor on your cake to add moisture and flavor.
3. Use a pastry bag for a professional touch: Use a pastry bag to pipe your frosting and decorations for a professional finish.
4. Mix up your frosting: Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, or marshmallow fluff into your frosting to add a unique and delicious twist.
5. Create unique designs: Create unique designs using color, frosting, and edible decorations to make your cake stand out.
The Ultimate Cake Boss: An Interview with How to Cake It’s Yolanda Gampp
Yolanda Gampp is the founder and face of How to Cake It. She shares her story, tips and inspiration for making baking and cake decorating accessible to everyone:
Q. How did you start your cake baking journey?
A. I started baking cakes 15 years ago as a hobby. I always loved baking but was not trained in it, so I learned through trial and error.
Q. What inspired you to create How to Cake It?
A. After years of baking, I realized that there were many people who wanted to learn to decorate cakes but couldn’t due to the lack of resources. So I decided to share my knowledge and techniques online.
Q. What advice would you give to novice bakers?
A. Don’t give up. Baking takes practice and patience. Also, don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with flavors and techniques.
Q. What has been your favorite cake to make so far?
A. I’m always excited about making new cakes, so it’s hard to pick just one. But I really enjoyed making my first topsy turvy cake.
5 Must-Try Cake Recipes from How to Cake It: Perfect for Any Occasion
Here are five cake recipes from How to Cake It that everyone should try:
1. Chocolate Cake: A classic chocolate cake that is moist and decadent.
2. Strawberry Shortcake: Layers of vanilla cake, strawberry filling, and whipped cream frosting.
3. Carrot Cake: Moist and flavorful carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
4. Red Velvet Cake: A rich, velvety cake with cream cheese frosting.
5. Lemon Cake: A light, refreshing cake with lemon curd filling and Swiss meringue buttercream frosting.
Conclusion
Baking and decorating cakes can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially with the right guidance and tips. How to Cake It provides beginner and experienced bakers with the necessary tools and techniques to create beautiful and delicious cakes. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your skills to the next level, we hope this article has provided you with helpful tips, hacks, and delicious recipes to try.
