Chat 3 Thursday June 20, 1996 - Cake Decorating by Dolores McCann
Liz will be posting these files so you'll be able to get them. I believe they will be on Cooking Software Libraries, Cooking Ascii Software. Otherwise, they wouls be in Cook's School under MY heading "Dolores Decorates Cakes"
Files: apron.gif apron.txt
carcakes.txt cars.gif car-diag.gif
frog.gif frog.txt
stencils.gif stencils.txt
And, I have my WEB page done. To see it from AOL, just go to the opening screen and INTERNET, then to the Browser button at upper left. This brings you to AOL's opening Internet page. You can find me from here. Just type in the top box this exactly - no CAPS:
http://w3.one.net/~proicer/index.html ..............I'll be updating it soon. Too busy!
Tonight I'll start by sharing the method I use to put drawings on cakes. I have uploaded several files showing this in more detail. Look for STENCIL files in our Cooking Software Libraries under Cooking Ascii Software. There you will also find some NEW cake photos with directions. The cakes are: APRON cake, FROG cake and CARCAKES.
Here are the stencil directions...then lets 'gab' some, okay
Have you all discovered my online newsletter? It is in our Software Libraries under Windows Software. Subject is: Cake Decorating Newsletter, All of them are named for the month...JUNE96
PICTURE TRANSFER How to make a wax paper stencil for easy picture transfer onto cakes
NOTE: See trans.zip for pictures Figure 1 (Footie) Figure 2 Figure 3 Items Needed: Styrofoam approximately 10x14x1-inches Corsage pin Wax paper Nylon footie (yes, as in women’s hosery) Hershey’s Powdered Cocoa
PREPARE COCOA 'PUFF' 1. Cut both ends off the nylon footie as shown in Figure 1. 2. Stuff the footie with cocoa. Draw up both ends and tie securely. Place the 'puff' in a small cup to contain the cocoa (shown in figure 2).
PREPARE PICTURE (The wax paper will become your stencil).
1. Lay a picture on the styrofoam block as shown in figure 3. (This will work without styrofoam. It’s just easier if you use it).
2. Lay wax paper over the picture, as shown.
3. With a corsage pin, punch holes all around the detail of the picture. Most of the time holes should be about 1/4-inch apart. If pattern is very detailed, holes may need to be closer. Take special care around facial features, etc.
TRANSFER PICTURE TO CAKE
1. Ice the cake smooth. Don’t use the paper towel to smooth unless the paper towel has no texture.
2. Wait about 5-10 minutes for the icing to crust enough so the wax paper stencil won’t stick to the icing. Test it on an edge. Place the stencil on the cake, as shown in Figure 4. Press lightly around the pin indentations to help keep the stencil in place. Place strips of wax paper all around the stencil so no cocoa gets on the icing where you don’t want it to go.
3. Using your cocoa powder puff, pat cocoa through the holes of the stencil. Be sure cocoa falls through all the detail. Lift off the stencil very carefully so that the cocoa doesn’t continue to fall through the holes where you don’t want it.
NOTE: You can keep the stencil and reuse it several times as long as you don’t wrinkle or smash it. Store it hanging on a nail in an out-of-the-way place.
METHODS TO DECORATE YOUR PICTURE
METHOD 1: Treat this as if you were decorating a character cake, only with smaller tips. Outline the picture with tip 3 or 4 deep color of icing appropriate to your design. Fill in tip 14 or16 or 18 stars, color of your choice. The size depends on how much detail there is in your picture.
METHOD 2: Using Piping Gel tinted in appropriate colors, outline the picture using tip 3 or 4, depending on just the effect you want. Immediately, using a flat brush (about 1/4-unch across bottom), draw the icing from the edge toward the center. Try to keep brushing in one direction. You can complete the picture all at once since Piping gel doesn’t bleed or run together.
METHOD 3: If you own an airbrush, you can outline the stencil marks with a writing tip 3 or 4 and fill in the color using your air brush. NOTES: If Piping gel is too thick, you can add Karo Syrup to thin it to your preference. Wilton Piping gel is only available untinted. You must divide and color it. Place in small decorator bags with tip 1 or 2 to use. Other brands are available in handy tubes already tinted. Just snip off the end and you are ready to decorate. Use smaller tips (or snip the Piping gel tip off very little). Piping gel comes out considerably thicker per tip opening than does icing.
PERMANENT STENCILS
You can make permanent stencils using Mylar and the melting tool. Mylar is a clear plastic sheet. It is not the same as sheet protectors. You would find that when trying to melt the gaps of the stencil that sheet protector material strings very badly and may damage your melting tool. You will want to do this with your more popular ones. The proper weight Mylar and the melting tool are both available from suppliers. Sugarcraft also carries replacement parts for the melting tool.You would use permanent stencils just the same way as the wax paper ones.
Another way............ EDIBLE IMAGE...AN EDIBLE FOOD DECORATION
EDIBLE IMAGE is a completely edible decoration for decorating all types of cakes. It is a moisture sensitive product made entirely of food materials. When placed on icing, it absorbs moisture and becomes soft, blending with the icing.
Edible Images must be stored in the enclosed sealed package. When not in use, always reseal the package. Important Note: In areas with high humidity and high temperature it is recommended to refrigerate or freeze Edible Images® prior to application.
Edible Images can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in their resealable bag and will stay pliable and easy to handle up to the date indicated on the bag.
A little experimentation will quickly acquaint you with Edible Images and how it works. If you have any problems or technical questions, call Sugarcraft.
HOW TO USE
1. When cake is iced, unseal package. Remove the Edible Image from the backing sheet by gently peeling the backing away. Removal is made easier by placing baking sheet on a table edge (with the image facing up) and rolling the backing sheet over the sharp edge of the table.
2. Lay Edible Image in the desired position on the cake.
3. Gently smooth edges with finger tips if needed.
4. Edible Image should be placed on the icing as soon as possible after icing the cake. A fine mist of water may be applied prior to placing image if a crust had formed on the icing. (Using too much water may cause the colors to run).
5. The cake may be frozen after it is decorated with Edible Image.
NOTE: If you have difficulty removing the Edible Image from the paper backing, simply place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on HIGH. Microwave temperatures vary, so you will need to experiment with the time needed.
You should not remove the copyright symbol from the Edible Image.
I'll miss you all in July. I won't be able to be here...Too much to do. Regards, Dolores