How To Write Happy Birthday On A Cake

Decorating By mrmajeika Updated 16 Nov 2018 , 3:16am by SandraSmiley

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mrmajeika Posted 12 Nov 2018 , 11:50am
post #1 of 13

A friend has asked me to make a simple Victoria sandwich cake for her friends birthday. All I need to do is pipe happy birthday Michael on top. I'm not very confident at this sort of thing. What is the best type of icing to use or should I just buy one of those writing icing pens?

12 replies
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ypierce82 Posted 12 Nov 2018 , 3:06pm
post #2 of 13

I use melted chocolate. I'm horrible at writing so I find a Happy Birthday script that I like, put wax paper over it then trace over with the chocolate. Once it sets, I just lift off the paper and place it on the cake.

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cakefan92 Posted 12 Nov 2018 , 10:33pm
post #3 of 13

I'll do anything to get out of piping since mine is so horrible.  You can trace it onto the cake board if you want and simply add decorations (flowers, ribbons) on the cake where the writing would normally go.  But if your handwriting is nice and you want to try it, an icing pen might be easier to use than a piping bag.

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Freckles0829 Posted 13 Nov 2018 , 3:24pm
post #4 of 13

I like ypierce's suggestion.  This way you can do a few and pick the best one.

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kakeladi Posted 13 Nov 2018 , 10:28pm
post #5 of 13

Most of my greetings/messages were done with a plastic press bot over the many yrs I have decorated I've learned a few tips :)   Using the same icing color that is one on the cake (white on white; choco on choco etc) pipe your message. If you  make a mistake you can wipe it off w/your spatula.  When satisfied go over it with the accent/final color you want the message to be.   

To help ensure the message is level lay a length of thread across the cake.  Make the 1st letter (H & B etc) bigger than the others:  https://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1417249/square-with-round       https://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1326839/sweet-pink-roses

Maybe instead of trying to make it perfect do something like this:  https://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1333779/mexican-theme

Do 'printing' writting like this:   https://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1332858/fiesta-hat-hot-chili-peppers           https://www.cakecentral.com/gallery/i/1317618/red-white-amp-blue

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mrmajeika Posted 13 Nov 2018 , 11:28pm
post #6 of 13

Thanks kakeladi. The cake isn't going to be iced on top. Only filled. What colour icing do you think will look better for the writing? Choc or white icing

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kakeladi Posted 14 Nov 2018 , 1:45am
post #7 of 13

I'd use chocolate  Melted chocolate is a great one for this.  Probably all you'd need is a very small parchment bag w/the tiniest hole in the end and a tablespoon o f choco.

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mrmajeika Posted 14 Nov 2018 , 11:25am
post #8 of 13

Kakeladi and just pipe it on to paper and then transfer to cake when set? Worried the chocolate might crack especially if the surface of the cake isn't flat 

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SandraSmiley Posted 14 Nov 2018 , 2:58pm
post #9 of 13

Lynne, you writing is gorgeous!  I've never tried the writing with chocolate, then transfering to the cake, but I love the idea.   Here is a tutorial by Sedar Yenner on how to do it.



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kakeladi Posted 14 Nov 2018 , 8:34pm
post #10 of 13

Make sure you let the choco set up well......I'd give it at least an hour to dry:) (Of course depends on hot warm the work area is.  One can also put it in the fzr for a few seconds or frig for about 30 seconds to hasten drying/set-uptime.  I would cover a paper copy of the message w/plastic wrap - much easier to take off.  Once set, carefully move the words on the plastic wrap to the edge of the table and have something flat to 'catch it' as youpull the plastic wrap down/away from the words.  It should not break when you move rather slow.  Once it is free from theplastic wrap you can quickly handle it to place on the cake.  One could also try to lift it w/a spatula - especially if the message/word is not long [happy vs. congratulations:) ] - just slide the spatula under the choco slowly and lift.

I just very quickly reviewed the link posted by Sandra and found it very good/interesting.   I have never turned my words over but just copied right-side up.  Guess it really doesn't matter - it's just that you  willo have a very flat side up when you follow the video rather than a bit rounded letters. 

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SandraSmiley Posted 15 Nov 2018 , 2:14am
post #11 of 13

Kakeladi, Sedar Yenner has dozens of free tutorials.  He has been decorating cakes for 40 years and like you and -K8memphis, knows everything and is very willing to share.  His business is called Yenner's Way, if you want to check him out sometimes.

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kakeladi Posted 15 Nov 2018 , 7:27pm
post #12 of 13

I noticed that he has many videos.   I sooooo wish I could do some - but alas, I have no camera or other means of making them :(

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SandraSmiley Posted 16 Nov 2018 , 3:16am
post #13 of 13

Do you have a cell phone, Lynne?  That is what most people use to make their tutorials.  I don't have one myself, but I do have a camera.  My hands are too twisted and crooked to make a video.  No one would be able to watch it.

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