Hi. My name is Meg, I'm 16 and I've been making cakes since I was 14. I came across this site today, and I joined, because my friends and family think I'm a total cake genius, but after looking at the photo galleries, I've realised that my cakes are far from the high standard of cakes made by the users of this website. Can you give me a few pointers to help me achieve the high standard of your cakes?



*Sorry, I added that attachment twice and I don't know how to get rid of the extra one

The best advise I can give is; keep baking and decorating.
If you started already at 14, you'll have all the more years to learn.

Hi Meg!

Welcome to Cake Central! this is a great place to learn new tips and tricks of the trade.

Your cake is really cute! Heck most 16 year olds can't even use an oven let alone make a cake. You are off to a good start!

You can always come on here and ask questions on how to do different things and take some time to read some of the posts about the things you are interested in doing, Like in the "How do I" forums.

And just Remember sweetie , when you see a lot of these fantastic cakes on here, the people making them have been doing this for a long time and were once just like you! We all started somewhere,and it looks like you are off to a good start!

Best wishes

Exactly what ^^^ she said.

Besides the excellent advice here on CC and all the fantastic posts you can find in the forums (using the search feature will be one of your new best friends but don't use the search field that you see on the home page. Click on the forums page and click on the search button under the forums title)

Another great place to find helpful info is in the articles section. There are many tutorials there.

Outside CC, youtube has some great tutorials as well. Here are just a few from CC members:

Edna's videos (aka toedna on cc) - she has 26 altogether:

Hi Meg,

I think you're doing great so far.

There are people of all skill levels here, so most of us get that humble feeling from time to time when we're looking through the galleries. I've learned a ton here and sometimes I don't know if I'll ever have time to try out every single thing I've read here I like books about cake decorating too...there's a lot you can learn just by reading about it. Some of the books have pictures of all the tools that they use, which is helpful when you're trying to decide what cake decorating equipment you actually need.

One of the most useful things I came across when I was first learning to decorate was how to level a cake. I had done plenty of baking before that, but somehow the idea of chopping off part of the cake so it would have a flat top had just never occured to me. It's probably the most basic thing but it gives a good start to any cake.

the videos that edna has on utube are wonderful, I have learn so much from watching them.

Hi Meg!! Welcome to CC (better known as your new addiction! Once upon a time I took a class from a very big name in the industry. This person's sugar artistry is unsurpassed. Finally I couldn't stand it and I asked them privately "how did you get to be this good??" They smiled, leaned forward and whispered "practice." Yep, practice practice practice!! And along with the videos, if you want to buy some there are excellent videos out there by Sugarshack and JenniferMI, also Nick Lodge if you are into gumpaste flowers, and others (check Global Sugar Art) -- depending on what you want to learn. What I do is every cake I do I try something new on it that I've never done before. I also make 6 inch practice cakes for friends and family -- they get a little cake and I get the practice! And most importantly ask questions. There's a vast array of talent on this site and most everyone is quite happy to help. But MOST important -- have fun!! Remember, it's sugar, it's fun!!

I think you're a cake genuis too.

Hiya and welcome my fellow Scot!
You will just love it on here and you'll learn so much too, there's a great mix of folks on here from the real professionals who can do jaw dropping cakes for a living to people like me who do cakes for their kids, friends and families. Regardless of their expertise everyone has something to offer ( and usually do!) whether it's a great idea, an easy way of doing something or a shoulder to cry on when the cake in your head is not the one you see in front of you lol I am with the pp who said try to do something new on each cake, i try to do this and can't believe how much i have improved - still nowhere near some of these guys on here but i'd say i get just as much enjoyment out of it and to me that's what it's all about. Best advice I would say is to get yourself some basic tools (shop around coz you could spend a fortune on stuff) and always try to use the best quality ingredients you can afford then get baking and ENJOY!!!!

welcome to cc Meg, I am a newbie also but I am 56 years old and just starting also, I have learned so much from a lot of people in these forums and such nice people. I am so glad that a 16 is doing something so wholesome lol

Hello there Meg! There is a lot to learn here, and as a few have mentioned, practice is key. The more you practice the better you will become. Take chances, and don't ever tell yourself you can't do it. The bakers here on CC are very helpful and answer your questions when you have them.

Definitely take a look at the how to tutorials on here there the best. Good Luck

Welcome! You will learn so much here and will probably quickly become addicted to this site. To the great advice that others already gave - don't be afraid to try new techniques. Especially if it's a practice cake for your friends or family. Even if it's not perfect (in your eyes) they'll still love it...and love eating it! On this site, you'll learn so many things you never even imagined you could do with cake - which can be overwhelming, but is so fun to go from reading about it to actually trying it yourself! Good luck and have fun