The Art of Cake Decorating
The Art of Cake Decorating
Cake decorating is referred to as one of the sugar arts in the world of baking. Many aspects of baking, icing and creativity are involved with decorating and its competitive business. In addition to being beautiful works of art, decorating has been used to capture memories and be an inspiration. One may ask, what does it really take to be a great cake decorator and most importantly where did it all start? Decorating skills and techniques have developed greatly since three-tiered wedding and candled birthday cakes. The process has evolved to this day presenting beautiful towers of deliciousness. These unique creations also take us on an interesting trip through decorating history. As most know, cake is a term with an elaborate history and a subject with many aspects. Cake denotes a baked flour connection sweetened with sugar, honey, eggs and milk. It has a distinct texture created by mixture rising during the cooking process. Cakes found in “Swiss Lake Villages” were made from roughly crushed grains, moistened, compacted, and cooked on hot stone. Obviously cake techniques have progressed since then. As time passed, over many centuries by trial and error, baking techniques began to improve due to influence from other countries and cultures (Davidson, 122-123). Based on the cakes success, a creative way to put imagination to good use came to the surface. Cake may trace back for centuries but decorating made its debut during the mid – 17th century in Europe and North America where European influence has been the stronghold of cakes. Decorating made its first appearance in domestic kitchens across Northeast Europe. Popularity spread as a way to create elaborate desserts for displays during the feasts and banquets of the wealthiest Aristocracy but mainly just for display only. The mid – 19th century ultimately brings decorating to the forefront (MomMag 1). The French started serving dessert as a completely separate course than the main
Cake decorating is referred to as one of the sugar arts in the world of baking. Many aspects of baking, icing and creativity are involved with decorating and its competitive business. In addition to being beautiful works of art, decorating has been used to capture memories and be an inspiration. One may ask, what does it really take to be a great cake decorator and most importantly where did it all start? Decorating skills and techniques have developed greatly since three-tiered wedding and candled birthday cakes. The process has evolved to this day presenting beautiful towers of deliciousness. These unique creations also take us on an interesting trip through decorating history. As most know, cake is a term with an elaborate history and a subject with many aspects. Cake denotes a baked flour connection sweetened with sugar, honey, eggs and milk. It has a distinct texture created by mixture rising during the cooking process. Cakes found in “Swiss Lake Villages” were made from roughly crushed grains, moistened, compacted, and cooked on hot stone. Obviously cake techniques have progressed since then. As time passed, over many centuries by trial and error, baking techniques began to improve due to influence from other countries and cultures (Davidson, 122-123). Based on the cakes success, a creative way to put imagination to good use came to the surface. Cake may trace back for centuries but decorating made its debut during the mid – 17th century in Europe and North America where European influence has been the stronghold of cakes. Decorating made its first appearance in domestic kitchens across Northeast Europe. Popularity spread as a way to create elaborate desserts for displays during the feasts and banquets of the wealthiest Aristocracy but mainly just for display only. The mid – 19th century ultimately brings decorating to the forefront (MomMag 1). The French started serving dessert as a completely separate course than the main
Cited: 1. Boswell, Heather. Personal Interview. 23 Feb. 2010 2 2. Devantier, Alecia T. Extraordinary Jobs in the Food Industry. New York, NY: InfoBase Publishing. 2006 3 5. Wilton. 2010 Wilton Industries. 10 Mar. 2010. http://www.wilton.com [pic]