First Time Cake Decorating - by Autumn Carpenter (Paperback)

About the Book

Are you an absolute beginner when it comes to cake decorating? Then help is at hand. Like having you very own instructor at your side, this book guides you carefully from your first nervous buttercream icing to confident gum paste accents. It begins with thorough descriptions of equipment, the baking process, icings and fondant, and piping techniques, and then teaches you how to use them. Each of the projects included in this book introduces you to new concepts and skills. Full-color photos, step-by-step instructions, and valuable tips help you learn the fine points of cake decorating while designing and making beautiful cakes for any celebration.

Book Synopsis

Learning to make and decorate cakes that are as beautiful as they are delicious can be a challenge, but with the expert guidance of renowned confectionery artist Autumn Carpenter in First Time Cake Decorating, your goal is within reach.

Are you an absolute beginner when it comes to cake decorating? Then help is at hand. Like having your very own instructor at your side, this book guides you carefully from your first nervous buttercream icing to confident gum paste accents.

After a thorough description of equipment and the baking process, learn:

• How to make and apply a range of icings and fillings
• Piping techniques, from basic balls and stars to leaves, borders, and flowers
• How to make fondant and gum paste accents using a pasta machine, a clay extruder, molds, and cookie cutters
• How to create gum paste flowers, bows, ruffles, animals, and people
• Additional techniques for adding flair with stencils, shimmer, and air brushing

Each of the projects included in this book introduces you to new concepts and skills. Full-color photos, step-by-step instructions, and valuable tips help you learn the fine points of cake decorating while designing and making beautiful cakes for any celebration.

There's a first time for everything. Enjoy the journey and achieve success with First Time Cake Decorating!

Each book in the First Time series distills how-to guidance and advice from an expert on a specific topic into targeted step-by-step instruction geared toward the absolute beginner.

About the Author

Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Autumn Carpenter is a nationally known confectionery artist, author, and demonstrator. She has published several books, including The Complete Photo Guide to Cake Decorating, The Complete Photo Guide to Cookie Decorating, and Decorating Cakes, Cupcakes, and Cookies with Kids. She demonstrates annually at the I.C.E.S. (International Cake Exploration Societe) and travels across the United States, sharing the craft of cake decorating and other confectionery arts. Autumn is co-owner of Country Kitchen SweetArt, a retail cake and candy supply store that has been in her family for over 45 years. The business caters to walk-in store sales, catalog sales, and an online store, shopcountrykitchen.com. Autumn has developed her own line of useful tools and equipment for cake decorating and cookie decorating, and sells them online and in many cake and candy supply stores throughout the United States and in several other countries. Her cakes and products have been featured in numerous publications and magazines, including American Cake Decorating and Cake Central.