Cake Decorating for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Decorating Like a Pro

by Rose Atwater

Learn how to decorate dazzling cakes with this guide for beginners


Decorating cakes at home is easy and fun, thanks to Rose Atwater’s step-by-step guide. Rose started her “accidental cake business” in late 2009 with more than 20 practice cakes she made in the 6 months leading up to her brother’s wedding. By the time he tied the knot in 2010, her prototypes turned into a steady stream of real orders. Over the past 11 years, she has gone on to decorate more than 1,500 cakes for her blog, Rose Bakes. She shows you primer recipes and techniques in this comprehensive book!


You’ll learn basic recipes and how to choose the right equipment. After you’re comfortable with the basics, you’ll master different techniques to decorate cakes for any occasion, from weddings to baby showers to birthdays.


Inside, you’ll learn the fundamentals of cake decorating



Get the skills you need to decorate cakes like a pro with Cake Decorating for Beginners .

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Cooking, Food

168 pages, Unknown Binding

Published May 17, 2022

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love, love this beginning cake decorating book. My 16 year old son, Jack, loves baking and decorating cakes. He's been baking for a couple of years and I've given him a handful of cake decorating books as presents and a ton of fun supplies, as he bakes all the time. I'm planning on giving him this one for Christmas and am so excited, as it's my hands-down favorite of all the ones I've seen.

The book is filled with color photos and gives detailed instructions on basics like doing a crumb coat and making easy fondant, but also shows you how to use different piping tips to do various types of decorating, how to level cakes, make a dam for filling, cut cakes for different shapes (Atwater rightly points out that it makes little sense to buy specialty cake molds when you can make most shapes easily with a sheet pan and serrated knife), and so much more. She provides basic recipes for cakes, frostings, ganache, etc. and even has color charts showing how many drops of this and that food coloring it takes to make specialty shades. She also provides instructions on how to make a variety of cakes, from a simple "naked cake" with light frosting and strawberries to a wreath cake with piles of frosting roses and your name spelled out to a darling llama cake that makes me smile. I also really appreciate that she tells how to do writing (print and cursive) well, since that's what I struggle with the most in decorating.

This book really does set you up to do a fantastic decorating job even if you are quite new to it. While Jack isn't new to decorating, I know he's going to love this book as it is the perfect balance of instruction and inspiration with a lot of information that will help him get even better.

Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher (but I am ruthlessly honest, ARC or not).

[roxi Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to review this until I opened up to the (awesome) picture with needed supplies (almost the first page). I am not a baker at all, and cakes aren't my favorite, however my goal is to bake more until I'm comfortable, and I really want to learn patience in decorating. The photo with the needed items (30) was so intimidating until I realized that I actually have most items. I had spent 10 days attempting to 'master' (*snort*) doughs and processes and was pretty pleased with the outcome, so on to decorating. A few tips I came across I was happy to realize I knew them and I consider myself a novice baker (or whatever is before a novice baker). I do craft and was excited to see the instructions on making a cake board, and a listing of 'common cake fails'. It's also great to have an author acknowledge how expensive baking is! (my biggest challenge aside from a tiny kitchen and horrible stove). Basically, after reading the book, I truly felt as if it was geared towards 'beginner's (as advertised) and am so excited (and slightly intimidated) to just work on the basics. Thank you Ms. Atwater!

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely everything you need to know for making beautiful cakes! It starts off with the tools and equipment needed to get started. Then, recipes for making the cakes, recipes for delicious frostings with tips to make them different colors. Finally, step by step pictures, showing all the ways you can make your cakes beautiful! An invaluable addition to my cookbook library. I thank Callisto Publisher's Club for the opportunity to read and review this great book.

[AcademicEditor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book manages to avoid the pitfalls of most beginner books--wasting space explaining really obvious concepts and recommending lots of hard-to-find items that you may not really need. The book starts out with the assumption that you are not a visitor from another planet and do, in fact, know what cake is. But it does help you figure out some basics of cakes so that you don't try to decorate something that's just not going to work. It steadily progresses into more complex recipes. There are a variety of decorating ideas that could be adapted for the cakes of your dreams.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a digital ARC for the purpose of an unbiased review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, granted you can not make amazing cakes, which will make your friends say you should become a professional, with this book, but it will guide you in the right direction. All of the different types of icing are explained, as well as techniques to get some pretty cool designs.

This could be the stepping stone to more intricate designs.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this book for an honest review.

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with basic tools and equipment that are needed for cake decorating, separated by must-have equipment and nice-to-have tools. There are also instructions on using food coloring, sprinkles, fruit, candy, and other decorative items on cakes.

There is an entire section just on baking and prepping the cake, with some basic cake recipes for common cake flavors. Then there are a few recipes for buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, and whipped cream frosting. The instructions on how to frost a cake are clear with photos showing each step, and tips on getting the frosting to spread evenly and smoothly.

Instructions for various types of cake decorations include fruit toppings, heart sprinkles, ombre frosted cake. The next chapter has lessons on piping frosting using pastry bags with various techniques and different designs. The tips explain how to fill the pastry bag with frosting and how to hold the tip of the pastry bag, then proceeding to detailed instructions on piping flowers, stars, ruffles, and leaves, as well as writing letters and cursive words onto a cake.
There are examples of wreath cakes with lovely rosettes, and a cake shaped like a llama with llama fur piped on in frosting.

There is an entire chapter dedicated to decorating with fondant, including how to make your own marshmallow fondant from scratch, and tips on how to correct common mistakes when working with fondant. There are examples of fondant cakes decorated with cut-out hexagons and flowers.

Another chapter is all about chocolate ganache, and how to keep that perfect ganache glaze on your cakes with a decorative drip down the sides.

The photos are just gorgeous and make me so hungry! I really appreciated the clear instructions, and photos that show each step along the way. There are so many detailed tips and lessons about what to do if something goes wrong, how to cover up mistakes, or how to do better the next time.

This is the perfect book for beginners, or anyone who wants to up their game with cake decorating!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully decorated cakes are a delicious and rewarding way to express creativity and bring a smile to people's faces. "Cake Decorating for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to Decorating Like a Pro" is a helpful instructional guide and recipe book which will encourage you to learn something new--or you may want to further develop your present skill level. Either way, don't worry if things aren't always perfect as you learn--you can always eat the evidence. Author Rose Atwater, baker and blogger at rosebakes.com, includes invaluable information on equipment and tools, food coloring, decorating supplies, frostings, working with pastry bags and decorating tips, working with fondant, chocolate basics, and so much more. The recipes and food photos are scrumptious, and here's a selection of what you'll find: "Basic Vanilla Cake"; "Double Chocolate Cake"; "Crusting Cream Cheese Frosting"; "Whipped Cream Frosting"; "Wreath Cake"; "Elegant Chocolate Sheet Cake"; "Homemade Marshmallow Fondant"; and "Sweet Flowers Wedding Cake".

Book Copy Gratis Callisto Publishers

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been wanting to learn how to decorate cakes for quite a long time. I’ve never read or studied before, only watched normal baking shows and done a few things on my own without any research. This book was helpful but incredible basic. I felt like 80% of it was stuff I already knew without being trained. Towards the end there was some more things. Maybe I knew more than I realized about cake decorating. This book is definitely geared toward beginners and maybe a little too basic for my taste. Would be great for someone who knows nothing or even a young baker looking to learn!

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to review this ebook for free in exchange for my review.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you explored baking more during Covid? Are you a person who likes to make cakes to celebrate or even just for every day? Are you an advanced baker or a novice? All of these types of bakers may enjoy this book by Rose Atwater.

This title has everything that a baker needs to get started. There is information on tools, baking, making frosting and more. There are illustrations to show what cakes look like. All in all, a good resource for home bakers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[M Delea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I took a wonderful class on cake decorating (pre-Covid) and have decorated a few cakes, this book taught me many things and reminded me of many others. The tips, advice, and directions are all very clear, and include explanations (for example, why a crumb coat is important). Besides the basics, there are recipes for different types of frostings and step-by-step instructions for decorating a good variety of cakes; I am particularly wanting to make the llama cake. The photographs are very helpful. I highly recommend this book for beginners and folks with a bit of experience.

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book with easy to follow steps and lots of cool cake ideas and tips. These are decorating ideas that are simple enough for everyone even me but mine probably won't look anything like the pictures inside. But, at least it gives me a bit of hope that I can do it but first things first I have to learn how to not burn the cake.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Martha Avans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to #netgalley for giving me the opportunity to see Cake Decorating for Beginners. I've played around with some cake decorating in the past. And I loved this book. Loved the pictures and step by step directions.

[Tara Sones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

There are some really great tips and recipes, I have learned a lot from this cookbook. I feel confident with my baking and decorating and I feel like I need to owe a lot of credit to Rose and her cookbook.

[ASunderland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to follow

Clear instructions with enough description and photos. Practical instruction and pretty photos. Easy to read, not compl icated. Solid overview of basic tools and how to use them.

[Beverly W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great presentation of cake decorating

The format of the step by step instructions and pictures make this a great resource for beginners and intermediate cake decorators. I also appreciated all the tips.

[Lyndy Berryhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book for beginning baking!

Easy to read and has pretty much anything you need to know to whip up some pretty desserts that look professionally decorated!

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a novice at decorating cakes but this book took me step-by-step in order for my cakes to have that somewhat finished look.

[sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Basics

Great book!! I learned a lot about decorating, can't wait to try these techniques out. It was just the basics!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book and author. I suggest subscribing to her newsletters.

[Anouk Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted a quick update on cake skills

Great book. All kinds of pictures, easy to understand and very encouraging. Feels like a friend is teaching you the skills.

[Karen Kaplan · Rating 3 out of 5]

good resource

Good resource but too short. I appreciate the few recipes and detailed instructions. I will try the recipes and then update my rating accordingly.

[Adrian Gooch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginner book

I think this book was a great introduction for newbie bakers. It was very easy to follow and the photos were great too.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides exactly what it promises, a solid foundation to begin baking and decorating cakes. If you are looking to get started with cake.cupcake production and design, this book is for you. From the introduction of tools, recipes for cakes and frostings right through to the grand finale project, this book will get you sorted and set with a good foundation of skills and knowledge.

The book starts with a primer on tools that will make the process successful. While the list is long, many items are already in our kitchens and the author provides resources for all budgets and experience levels. The book moves on to making the foundation of all fancy cake, the cake itself. The recipes are well written, easy to follow and offer all the tips and tricks you will need. Next comes the fun bits: the frosting. Again, comprehensive recipes and instructions will help you create the perfect mediums for fabulous cakes. Once your supplies are ready, a quick course in frosting and decorating techniques, including “assignment cakes” for practice, will get you making gorgeous cakes right in your own kitchen.