A couple of years ago, I was terrified of buttercream. The thought of not using fondant sent shivers down my spine. I thought you had to use fondant to get a smooth finish. My, how times have changed! Buttercream is now, my favorite medium to work with. Not only can I achieve a smooth finish, but I can also get some beautiful texture on my cakes.
Small ruffles:
Most of the time, I make cakes that need a smooth surface. But recently, it has been all about texture. I never knew how versatile buttercream was, until one of my friends asked me to make a western themed ruffle cake.
Small ruffles:
Most of the time, I make cakes that need a smooth surface. But recently, it has been all about texture. I never knew how versatile buttercream was, until one of my friends asked me to make a western themed ruffle cake.
I knew I wanted to do buttercream to achieve a ruffled look. It had to be a neat, clean ruffle. You can't go overboard when you make a cowgirl cake. It has to be dainty. And, I had to go to an expert to figure out how to do it successfully. So, I went to Jessica Harris' website. She has a step-by-step picture tutorial and I used a Wilton #104 tip, just like she said. The ombre effect from pink to white made it that much more darling.
Large ruffles:
For my daughter's birthday, I knew I wanted to do a larger ruffle for her Minnie Mouse Cake. I wanted it to look like a big tutu and completely girly. So again, I went internet searching and found a new favorite tutor. If you have not looked at Cake Style, do it now.!!! I mean it, stop what you are doing and look at her website. She has amazing tutorials, and I love her accent!!! I went to her tutorial on you tube for a cake with large ruffles. She gives you all the information about the supplies you need and she makes you believe you can do it on your own.
For my cake, I wanted a whimsical ruffle that had lots of movement. In other words, it had to be a little sassy and over the top. :)
For my daughter's birthday, I knew I wanted to do a larger ruffle for her Minnie Mouse Cake. I wanted it to look like a big tutu and completely girly. So again, I went internet searching and found a new favorite tutor. If you have not looked at Cake Style, do it now.!!! I mean it, stop what you are doing and look at her website. She has amazing tutorials, and I love her accent!!! I went to her tutorial on you tube for a cake with large ruffles. She gives you all the information about the supplies you need and she makes you believe you can do it on your own.
For my cake, I wanted a whimsical ruffle that had lots of movement. In other words, it had to be a little sassy and over the top. :)
Look at those fluffy, buttercream ruffles. The large piping tip #124 was a perfect size. This cake had all the girly attitude I wanted, just like my daughter.
Layered look:
Keeping with the girly theme, I did a ladybug shower cake for one of my friends. Again, I knew I wanted a unique texture on the cake. So, I turned to Cake Style again. She did this jagged, layered look that I thought could only be achieved with fondant. Her tutorial was exactly what I needed.....again. I am telling you, she makes magic with buttercream!!!
Keeping with the girly theme, I did a ladybug shower cake for one of my friends. Again, I knew I wanted a unique texture on the cake. So, I turned to Cake Style again. She did this jagged, layered look that I thought could only be achieved with fondant. Her tutorial was exactly what I needed.....again. I am telling you, she makes magic with buttercream!!!
Now, about half way through, I was not sure if there was enough buttercream in the world to cover the cake. It seemed to be taking forever! But, then I took a deep breath, and kept that little turn table moving. And the more I piped, the more enamored I became. I knew this was going to be the perfect foundation for my little lady bugs.
This cake turned out to be one of my absolute favorites. How could you not fall in love with all the little ladybugs whirling around in all their cuteness? The combination of texture and those darling ladybugs were absolute perfection!