Discover the Best Cake Decorating Classes Near Me
Equal parts technique and creativity, cake decorating is an art form all its own. Those well-versed in the craft can turn an everyday creation into something that is truly worth marveling…and eating. From spatula icing to piping to fondant, cake decorating has the potential to turn every occasion into a celebration worth remembering.
While the origin of cake decorating is still a bit of a mystery, it very quickly became a widespread practice throughout the 1600 and 1700s. The Experienced English Housekeeper by Mrs. Raffald was first published in 1769 and is the first account of recipes for cake, marzipan, and icing all being cataloged together, solidifying the concept of cake decorating as a hobby and trade. Now the centerpiece for any wedding, birthday, or graduation, exquisitely designed cakes are an intimate part of people’s most precious moment.
With simple base ingredients like butter, eggs, milk, and sugar, cake decorating is an accessible craft for anyone who wishes to learn. With the right tools and techniques, and a passion to create, cake decorating is an enjoyable hobby that can turn any enthusiast into an artisan.
Why You Should Learn Cake Decorating
Learning cake decorating offers so many benefits. Decorating cakes can be a fun and stress-relieving hobby, allowing crafty cake decorators to focus solely on both the art and technique of design as a way to create calm after a difficult day. It’s also a great way to create thoughtful gifts for others, one-of-a-kind creations that will mean so much more than something that can be bought at a store. The craft of cake decorating can even provide a connection to a larger community of bakers and decorators and foster friendships built on similar interests. With so many classes available both in person and online, there are endless avenues for pursuing this passion while also forming a tight-knit circle of friends.
Professional cake decorating can also be an exciting and creative career path. Professional decorators can work within either a bakery department at a grocery store or a boutique cake shop and their skills and technical knowledge could even lead to the development of a new small business or side hustle! It’s also a great additional skill set to have for those who are currently professional bakers, building upon the foundations of baking and eliminating the need for hiring additional help for the intricate final details.
Just take wedding cakes as an example. More than 4.6 million people will marry each other in the U.S. each year; that’s a lot of cakes! And, with the cost of wedding cakes almost doubling in the last 10 years, that can lead to a potentially great profit margin. Americans spent nearly $2 billion on wedding cakes in 2002, according to the Association for Wedding Professionals International. Add in special occasion cakes for birthdays, graduations, and job promotions, and any baker could find themselves quite busy.
There’s even the potential, for those who dream of the spotlight, to parlay their expertise in cake decorating into a chance at stardom. Just think of all the reality television shows that feature professional cake decorators and their businesses, or new hobbyists competing in baking competitions. With the right amount of skill, passion, and creative talent, any amateur could soon find themselves with a bakery boasting devoted patrons that line up for one-of-a-kind creations.
5 Ways to Learn Cake Decorating
So, what are the best ways to learn cake decorating? With so many available options, it may be difficult to narrow down to the ones that meet each student’s needs. One option is to start with formal, structured classes. In-person classes offer hands-on education with the face-to-face expertise of an instructor. They also provide the location, ensuring that students have appropriate prep and cook space, as well as all the ingredients and kitchen tools necessary.
Online classes, whether live or on-demand, allow more flexibility for those who are unable to travel or commute. Participants can master a buttercream frosting recipe and learn sugar sculpting techniques while in the comfort of their own homes. Ingredients, tools, and space will be the responsibility of the student, but that’s often worth it for those who love to learn in their pajamas.
For more career-focused individuals, a culinary school could also be a great choice. While requiring a larger financial commitment and more time, a culinary arts degree offers the structure of a traditional educational environment with the bonus of certification and inside knowledge on turning this niche passion into a career. Programs can last anywhere from 7-12 months with tuition typically costing around $30,000. For many who long for a career that they love, these commitments are worthwhile investments.
In-Person Cake Decorating Classes
There are several in-person class options available in the NYC area. The New York Cake Academy has a Cake Decorating 101 course for those new to the craft, as well as a Cake Decorating 102 course for those looking to level up. Centrally located in Manhattan, both courses are one 2.5-hour class focused on establishing techniques for filling, piping, and creating decorative floral arrangements.
The Chicago Botanic Garden has a course for residents of the Windy City. Hands-on Baking: Cake Decorating is being offered this summer in Glencoe and will teach students the basics of piping, using a turntable, and the best techniques for offset spatulas. Students should bring a container to take home their exquisitely decorated goodies at the end of class.
While there are currently limited cake decorating classes available in the Los Angeles area, there are a few cake pop classes available that focus on the same skills. Los Angeles City College is hosting Parent & Me Decorating: Cupcake, Cake Pops & Mini Cakes where kids and their guardians will learn to make flavorful frosting and all the tips and tricks for decorating cake pops, cupcakes, and cakes. Cakery by Syd is also offering Summer Celebration Cake Pops which will teach sweet-tooth students everything they need to know to master cake pops.
There’s also no shortage of course offerings in Boston. Oakleaf Cakes Bake Shop is hosting Fun with Fondant, Buttercream Basics, and a course for making intricate sugar flowers. Each class is located in the Fenway/Kenmore neighborhood and all are ideal for beginners.
Virtual Cake Decorating Classes
For those who wish to learn at their leisure or live in an area with limited in-person options, online cake decorating classes are a great alternative. There are often more options available virtually, they can be attended from anywhere, and there’s no need to worry about traffic or commuting. While students will have to source their materials and equipment for these classes, they get the advantage of learning all the tips and tricks from the comfort of their own homes!
While there aren’t currently online cake decorating classes available, there are several baking courses worth considering. "Great British Bake Off" Classics teaches participants how to recreate their favorite recipes from the iconic British show. They can try their hand at making a Victoria sandwich cake with raspberry jam and whipped cream, and learn the ins and outs of savory scones with British condiments and sharp English cheddar, all while sipping a cup of English breakfast tea. Each student will receive a take-home recipe for lemon poppy-seed drizzle cake, too!
Another delicious hands-on experience is the Sweet & Savory Cream Puff course Held via Zoom, by the end of this class participants will have mastered the art of pâte à choux (puff pastries) and will be able to create both a savory option and a classic version with chocolate ganache and whipped cream that are sure to wow any guest.
Always aesthetically pleasing, the craft of macaron making is a well-honed skill. In this French Macaron Step-by-Step class, students will make, flavor, pipe, and bake their very own macarons! This class includes knowledge of the best ingredients, how to add a burst of flavor to these colorful treats, and how to ensure each macaron always turns out perfectly.
Private Cake Decorating Group Classes
CourseHorse offers a variety of private live online cooking and baking classes for businesses and organizations. Organizers can customize group size (and even change it after booking) with absolutely no booking fees. Confirmation will be sent within 24 hours of booking and some class providers may even offer additional services like in-person venue space, catering, or the ability to come directly to a requested home or office.
Customizations can also be made to an event for a $150 fee. These include things like combining different games, requesting specific questions or a themed game, or adding something to an event with materials included.
To learn more about the available private group cake decorating class options, reach out through the contact form on CourseHorse’s website.
What Will I Need to Learn Cake Decorating?
There are several staple recipe ingredients, tools, and equipment that you will need to learn cake decorating. While ingredients will vary from recipe to recipe, the list below is a great starting point.
Common Ingredients:
- The necessities are flour, eggs, milk, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda
- Additional commonly used ingredients are confectioners sugar (for frostings and icings), coloring gels (to tint the frostings), and flavorings and extracts (to enhance flavor).
- Final flourishments can include things like chocolate shavings, fondant, edible pearls and flowers, or a variety of candies or fruits.
Required tools and equipment will vary, as well. Depending on how advanced your skills are and how deep your pockets are, there are endless accouterments available to choose from.
Common materials and equipment:
- Cake pans and mixing bowls for making the cake.
- A hand or stand mixer for both making cakes, frosting, and icing.
- Spatulas for spreading frosting and icing.
- A turntable for effortlessly smoothing and decorating all sides of a cake.
- Piping bags and nozzles for carefully crafting, ribbons, clusters of rosettes, or any other design elements.
The right equipment can make learning cake decorating fun and accessible and can make all the difference in crafting exquisite and technical designs.
Is it Difficult to Learn Cake Decorating?
It’s no secret that quality cake decorating takes both incredible skill and great attention to detail. (Everyone’s seen a viral cake fail or two online.) While these things may seem difficult to achieve, a passion for the craft and the willingness to learn are all that’s needed to get started. Further development of fine motor and artistic skills will be extremely beneficial, as will acquiring the knowledge around which tools are best for which techniques. When and how to use fondant, how much pressure to apply to a piping bag, and how to properly apply frosting with a spatula are all skills that passionate students can gain over time.
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