Learn over 150 cake decorating techniques with this bestseller from the renowned sugarcraft expert! This is the ultimate guide to contemporary cake design—you’ll learn how to make decorated cakes, starting with basic sugarcraft tools, baking recipes, and ingredients, and finishing with advanced modeling techniques, including royal icing stenciling, brush embroidery, buttercream piping, using sugar cutters and molds, making cake jewelry, and so much more! Get creative with simple, step-by-step instructions for more than eighty celebration cake, mini-cake, cupcake, and cookie designs. Essential tips and advice are included for all skill levels, from complete beginners to the most confident of cake decorators—and you can even learn how to make Lindy Smith’s signature “wonky cakes.”

“An absolute game changer in the industry of cake art . . . hugely aspirational yet completely approachable . . . Bravo!” (Chef Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes). This essential guide demonstrates more than fifty innovative techniques—via easy-to-follow step-by-step photographic tutorials—and includes over forty stunning cake designs to create at home, from simple cupcakes to three-tiered wonders. Valeri and Christina start by showing you how to perfect a basic buttercream recipe and how to pipe simple textures, patterns, and an array of flowers. They then demonstrate how to create a myriad of creative effects using diverse techniques such as stamping, stenciling, palette knife painting, and much more. “I look forward to learning all the skills that I, as an artist in rolled fondant, have only the most rudimentary grasp of. Not since Cakewalk by Margaret Braun have I been this excited about a cake book.” —Chef Duff Goldman from Ace of Cakes “The authors’ examples are inspirational and a demonstration of what is possible if you ‘put your whole heart into it.’ Overall, Valeriano and Ong have created a book full of inspiration and encouragement that re-energizes the use of buttercream in modern cake design.” —Sonya Hong of American Cake Decorating “Fascinating techniques . . . lovely ideas.” —Lindy Smith, author of The Contemporary Cake Decorating Bible

Presents one hundred recipes and step-by-step instructions that teach the skills required to create uniquely decorated cakes.

Perfect the art of piping—and discover techniques for turning a simple design into a stunning cake. Many people shy away from even trying their hand at piping. This chapter, taken from The Contemporary Cake Decorating Bible, will help demystify the art and inspire you to perfect the technique. The basics are not difficult to master—having the correct equipment and icing consistency is key, whether it's buttercream or royal icing. Then, all you need is practice to become familiar with the amounts of pressure required as you pipe. Lindy Smith shows you how to pipe swirls, peaks, daisies, and roses with buttercream, as well as dots, hearts, drop line work, and brushwork embroidery with royal icing.

Featuring techniques for beginner and professional wedding cake decorators, including fondant, piping, and sugar flowers, this resource is filled with design ideas and step-by-step techniques for making and decorating wedding cakes. It also includes directories of decorative fondant techniques, piping, ribbons and trims and sugar flowers.

Stenciling is an extremely effective way to add impressive decorations to your cakes and cookies quickly. For the best and most satisfying results, Lindy Smith recommends using laser-cut culinary stencils made from durable food-grade plastic. How you choose to add a stenciled pattern will depend on the effect you wish to achieve and the size of the item to be stencilled. This chapter, taken from The Contemporary Cake Decorating Bible, shows you various techniques using both edible dusts and royal icing; it also shows you how to make your own stencils and some possible other uses.

Special treats for special occasions: A renowned cake artist’s recipes and designs for desserts worth celebrating. Discover over thirty delicious homemade treats from baker and designer Zoe Clark—including cakes, cupcakes, mini cakes, fondant fancies, and cookies—to delight your friends and family all year round! There’s something for every occasion, from the Mad Hatter’s tea party and a seaside celebration to a lacy white wedding and some sweet Christmas gifts. Step-by-step illustrated instructions and detailed techniques guide you through each stage of baking and decorating, so even beginners can create colorful, awe-inspiring desserts—and kids can join the fun too!