I am relatively new to the art of cake decorating. However, it is something that has interested me since I was a child and I baked my first cup cake.
Since picking up my icing and fondant palette, I’ve found that sugar craft is a creative outlet that has the ability to delight not only myself when decorating cakes, but recipients as well. It’s a fun, exciting, and challenging hobby that I find continually stimulating and my head is full of cake ideas to come!
Like I said, I am a newcomer to the world of cake decorating, so I have taken some introductory courses. These have been very helpful, but I have found that trial and error have served me better. Nothing is more rewarding than sitting down and trying to recreate some cake details I’ve seen online or in a magazine. After I had completed some basic sugar making courses, I went and bought some cake decorating books which have proven to be a great inspiration to me. Not just in terms of exciting and visually stunning cake decorating, but also in techniques and tips that professionals use to create their stunning masterpieces.
If you are thinking of taking up this wonderful and rewarding hobby, here are four cake decorating books which I have found useful so far:
1. “Dream Cakes” by Colette Peters
This book is the first on the list, simply because of its wow factor. This is a fantastic collection of original, whimsical and artistically detailed pastels. While the book is more aimed at the skilled baker, it serves as a great source of inspiration with its unusual color combinations and techniques. It is truly a feast for the eyes and something to aspire to.
2. “Cake Chic” by Peggy Porschen
Peggy’s cake work is contemporary, yet classic. With its striking details and sophisticated lines, this book effortlessly shows off your style by creating pastels as if they were fashionable outfits. A wide range of ideas and recipes ensures that there is something for everyone in this cake decorating book.
3. “The Complete Fondant Cake Decorating Book” by Sylvia Coward
A good, simple book of cake decorating techniques is worth its weight in gold. This practical and simple book is ideal for beginners. It covers a wide range of techniques that are presented in project form, is easy to follow, and starts with a series of basics that will be ideal for the beginner.
4. Toba Garrett’s “Well Decorated Cake”
This book deserves a mention here. Ms. Garrett presents easy-to-follow chapters with wonderful guidance that helps build your confidence. I have managed to expand my skill base at a realistic rate with this book and the results have certainly paid off.
Well, there you go, four cake decorating books that have been very helpful as I started my journey towards this fascinating hobby.
I hope you find them as helpful and enjoyable as I do.
Since I started my Sugarcraft course, I have found that nothing has been more useful to me than these books. I would recommend that if you can, you take some basic classes in the initial techniques that will allow you to implement some of the more advanced techniques described in these books above.
There is no substitute for practice, so even if you’re just starting out, buy yourself a cake, some fondant, and fire up your imagination!