My Sweet Journey: Learning the Art of Cake Decorating

Welcome to the first post of my learning project! For this project, I have decided to dive into the skill of creating decorative cakes. This is a skill that puts artistry, precision and the most important part- delicious fun, all together!! I have always loved the idea of baking but never really got into it. I am so excited to explore the creative part of it like piping designs, mastering icing, creating dip cakes, and learning how to stack cakes.

Where am I now?

My baking experience right now if very limited to the basics like cookies, cupcakes and VERY simple cakes. I have tried frosting cupcakes with star tip, but my piping skills are inconsistent. I am obsessed with watching videos and Tik Toks that show decorative baking but I have no hands-on experiences with it. I am starting as a beginner in this skill.

I love ALL videos from the Youtube Channel Cake Cake

Here is what I can do now:

  • Bake simple cakes and cupcakes using box mixes and basic recipes
  • Apply frosting somewhat evenly with a spatula
  • Use a star tip to pipe a basic swirl on cupcakes (far from perfect)

My Learning Plan

My Main Goals:

  1. Create visually aesthetic decorative cakes that show 2-3 techniques.
  2. Reflect on my experience of learning through online educational resources.

I organized my plan by month. Here is the overview of my plan:

Ongoing:

Document my progress weekly through photos, videos and blog posts. I also plan to provide constructive criticism of the online resources I am learning from. I will share tips and ideas for other beginners who may want to try decorative baking!

January 2025

I plan to research essential tools I need to master this skill. I will watch beginner tutorials on frosting cakes and basic piping techniques.

I will practice:

  • Smoothly frosting cakes with a spatula 
  • Piping simple designs like rosettes, stars and borders

I checked out amazon for some tools and here is what I bought:

February 2025

I plan to start experimenting with layering and stacking cakes that have a stable structure. I also plan to learn and practice drip cake techniques and ombre frosting effects. I will also learn about using different frosting types like buttercream and whipped cream. 

March 2025

In March, I plan to develop my skills and move on to some advanced techniques. I will start making cakes with what I have learned and make them look aesthetically pleasing by combining multiple techniques I have learned. 

Early April (wrap up)

I will create a themed cake incorporating multiple techniques I have learned throughout my journey. I am not sure what my theme will be yet but I hope as I explore this journey it will just come to me!!

A light pink round cake decorated with small, evenly spaced white bow designs, displayed on a white plate with a light background
Image Credit: Zest Bake Shop

6 thoughts on “My Sweet Journey: Learning the Art of Cake Decorating

  1. Hello Breanna! I am excited to see how your cake decorating journey goes this semester. Cake decorating has always been a skill that I’ve been very impressed by. I wish you the best of luck on your learning project!

  2. Hello Breanna,
    I just wanted to start by saying that your blog post is incredibly well done! I really enjoyed how you incorporated a video and different pictures to explain your goals.
    I also loved seeing the tools you purchased on Amazon to kick off your journey—it’s such a great way to set yourself up for success! I’m genuinely excited to follow along and see how your journey unfolds this semester. Wishing you the best of luck as you work toward your goals!
    P.S. I saw your comment about being an Oilers fan—so great to have someone to share that passion with! 😊

  3. I can’t wait to follow along on your journey, Breanna! I love watching the baking competition shows and seeing the creative designs that people come up with, so I’m excited to see what you create. I think picking a skill that you can also eat is a fantastic idea for a learning project, double win!!

  4. I think this is such an awesome idea and an area where you can continue to learn new tips and tricks even after this class. I am excited to follow along and see your progress. I’m sure your friends and family will also be happy to hear this is the project you are choosing!

  5. I love this idea for the learning project!! I think it will be really cool. I loved baking when I was young, and learning to decorate like this, looks both challenging and fun! I really liked how you planned out your goals for each month, giving yourself clear goals!! I can’t wait to see what you create!

  6. Your excitement is contagious, and your project choice is wonderfully creative! Exploring decorative cake-making is a fantastic way to blend artistry with baking. As you progress, keep documenting your successes and challenges, perhaps even sharing the pictures of the tools you have been using. I also love your blog’s background color, which is quite relevant to your project. Good luck, and enjoy the process!

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