Discover the Best Cake Decorating Classes in Houston
Artistically decorated cakes have long been a part of our celebrations and social gatherings. From weddings to birthdays, promotions to baby showers, this delightfully sweet treat is the centerpiece to every well-decorated table. Home to a multitude of bakeries, Houston has a booming wedding industry and hosted over 41,000 weddings in 2022 alone.
The origin of cake decorating is still a bit of a mystery. Elaborately decorated cakes became highly desired during the 1600-1700s and their popularity grew in 1769 when Mrs. Raffald published The Experienced English Housekeeper with detailed recipes for cake, marzipan, and icing.
While every cake starts with the most basic of ingredients like eggs, flour, sugar, and butter, it is the intricate final decorations that bring the sweet treat to life. Fondant, buttercream, sugar crystals, and edible pearls can all be combined to create an exquisite design that your guests are sure to both savor and remember.
Why You Should Learn Cake Decorating in Houston
Houston is home to several well-known cake shops like Rustika Cafe and Bakery, El Bolillo, and Fluff Bake Bar. There’s so many great shops that Houstoning compiled a list of the seven best shops for custom cakes to help narrow things down to the best of the best.
It’s also home to a booming wedding industry, catering to both local couples and those seeking a larger city for a destination wedding. It is this combination that makes Houston a truly special place to learn cake decorating, offering beginners a large pool of expert bakers and decorators to learn and draw inspiration from.
Living in Houston can, at times, be overstimulating. Navigating morning commutes and living in a more densely populated area can often lead to an increased level of stress. Decorating cakes requires your undivided attention and provides you with a creative outlet, both of which can be helpful in decreasing anxiety and stress. Creating something with your hands can be rewarding, too, and offering that creation as a gift to someone else can elevate your mood.
Joining a cake decorating class in Houston can also be a great way to meet new friends. You’ll have a common love for baking and decorating as a foundation for your new friendship. Have a new neighbor or coworker? Gifting them a one-of-a-kind cake can be a great way to make them feel welcome and encourage connection.
Becoming a professional cake decorator can be a very lucrative career move. The average cost of a wedding in Houston is around $37,000 and the price of a wedding cake can range from $350 to more than $1000, so there is certainly demand for top-notch cakes. When you add in birthdays, promotions, and baby and bridal showers, decorating cakes can easily be a full-time job.
Whatever your reasons for learning to decorate cakes, you’re likely to find even more benefits as you improve your skills and expand your knowledge.
In-Person Cake Decorating Classes in Houston
Houston is teeming with baking and decorating classes. Below is a brief list of options, but make sure you check the CourseHorse website frequently as new classes are added often!
Ask Ms.Kay in Greater Greenspoint hosts Cake Decorating 101 that’s ideal for beginners. Novice bakers will learn to create beautiful borders and flowers with quick and easy recipes and handy icing techniques. This class provides all supplies so you can simply show up and learn.
Want to practice your piping and icing techniques over and over again for expert mastery? This cookie decorating class provides you with a multitude of petite canvases to do just that. Students will create their works of art with buttercream frosting and sprinkles and can even gain experience working with fondant.
If you’re wanting to add a punch of flavor to your cakes and cupcakes, Citrus Cakes with the Cake Mix Doctor will teach you to make three types of citrus cakes. Hosted by the Central Market near Memorial Park, students will leave the class with highly-honed baking skills so that their exquisitely decorated cakes also taste exquisite, too.
Virtual Cake Decorating Classes
Do you want to learn at your leisure or have a difficult work schedule? Then check out online cake decorating classes. There are often more options available virtually and you can attend from anywhere, making them the best option for accommodating odd hours or limited free time. While students are responsible for their materials and equipment for these classes, there’s no need to worry about traffic, parking, or any of the stressors of commuting.
While there aren’t currently online cake decorating classes available, there are several baking courses worth considering. "Great British Bake Off" Classics teaches novice bakers to recreate their favorite recipes from the iconic British show. You can make 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 over Zoom, students will master the art of pâte à choux (puff pastries) and create a savory option and a classic version with chocolate ganache and whipped cream. Both are sure to wow any guest.
A feast for the eyes and the mouth, the craft of macaron making is a well-honed skill that any baker will love. In this French Macaron Step-by-Step class, students will make, flavor, pipe, and bake their very own macarons! This class will cover 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 Group Cake Decorating Classes in Houston
Would you like to organize a one-of-a-kind event for your friends or colleagues? CourseHorse offers a variety of private live online cooking and baking classes for businesses and organizations. Plus, they make planning an event as easy as possible with features like zero booking fees and confirmation within 24 hours. You can even customize your group size (and even change it after booking) with absolutely no fees. 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.
While there aren’t currently any cake decorating classes available, you could try a truffle-making course to improve your overall baking skills. Students will learn all about the process of harvesting and making chocolate while creating molded chocolates. You’ll also get hands-on experience piping, shaping, and coating, all of which are crucial skills for cake decorating.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Reach out through the contact form on CourseHorse’s website to discuss creating your perfect private group cake decorating class.
