We all have little tricks we use when it comes to baking and/or decorating cakes. The little things that make the job easier, that we couldnt live without, whether it be something we learned from a book, saw on t.v. or someone was nice enough to share with us. I thought during this time of giving and sharing and being thankful for the things that mean so much to us, the most important being family of course but why not share with eachother a tip or trick we've learned over the years about cake decorating that may make someone's hectic life just a little bit eaisier. I believe the best tip I've learned was here on CC. The Viva method of smoothing cake icing. I use to obsese over getting a cake smooth so much that it drove me nuts. I then discovered the Viva method and it was like magic and made cake decorating so much eaiser for me. Please share with us your amazing "Tricks of the Trade". Thank you!

The best advise was also from CC,
I use a coffee stirrer or straw to place in cake, to put my wired fondant numbers in.

The Sugarshack method for awesomely sharp corners and smooth cakes. What a difference it made for me.

Relax - If you get overly stressed about a project it stops being fun.

You know my best UNkept secrets. Use an Agbay for torting and leveling and SPS for support! Easy-breezy.

lesh_s, would you mind sharing what an Agbay is? Thank you!

One quick tip that I found by accident: I needed to make some bc icing smooth, and tried using the hot spatula thing, that didn't work, I was getting so frustrated, I grabbed a paper towel and some HOT water, folded the towel, and ran it along the sides of the bc icing. It ended up looking like material, just some very thin thread lines all close together and it looked neat, so I've used it a few times now, for a different texture on a cake.

I shop for paper towels (serious business).
Each company has a different design -I always use paper towels to texture buttercream.
Happy Baking and Decorating,
Chef Angie

I was curious what Agbay was as well....

www.agbayproducts.com/products.html

Best tip I ever got was from CC and it was how to make my own cake release.

I have never used anything else since and use it for everything from cakes, muffins right on through to breads a biscuits!

In case you would like the recipe...

1 cup flour
1 cup oil
1 cup shortening

Mix well and store in air tight container in the fridge will keep for up to 6 months although mine has never lasted that long cause i am always using it

To smooth ball shaped or rounded edge cakes use a straight edge of parchment paper and smooth from the bottom up. great for non crusting BC and do the method before crusting BC crusts. Great for 3D hamburger cakes!

Forgive the ignorance but SPS is .......????

here you go sugalips


http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-603925.html

here is the full one


http://media.cakecentral.com/files/sps_104.pdf

http://www.sugaredproductions.com/buttercreamdvd.html

http://www.sugaredproductions.com/buttercreamdvd.html This is the Sugarshack method. Worth every penny. And Sugarshack, is a member of CC!

Thanks Jamie!

I saw her profile when I was looking it up. I think I'm about to order that!

The giant silpats for rolling out fondant on. I was always trying to pick it up and it would tear on my. What a pita that was! Then Sugarshacks video showed me using the silpat and the bottom part of the fondant as the "top". Made my life a whole lot easier!
Also have to love Cakebabe's chocolate fondant recipe!

Aha! Thank you TatorChip!

I would have to say that just about EVERYTHING that I have learned regarding recipes, the making & decorating of cakes as well as decorating of cookies.... oh and cruffles & Copyright Infringement, and business advice, and contracts and.........I have learned here off of CC. And who knew that there were SO MANY cake toys out there?!! I can't thank everyone enough for all the knowledge I have learned from CC.

The "enhanced cake mix" recipe from cc! Several members of my family who are all serious cake eaters have said it's the best chocolate cake they have ever eaten! I think so too! I also use the wet towel strips and push down method - love it!