Using edible decorations and embellishments

Sugar decorations including sugar paste, royal icing, and sugar flowers are commonly used to give a refined and polished look to cakes.
Edible paint and glitter can give a cake a dramatic or festive touch. Always check they are genuinely edible, not just ‘non-toxic’.
Fondant shapes and figures can be used to create unique designs or themed cakes. Sculpting skill can take time to develop.
Chocolate decorations, such as shavings, ganache, or molded figures, add a delicious touch to baked goods.

Placement of decorations on the cake can make or break a design, plan your arrangement before starting.
Ensure the cake is properly cooled before decorating to prevent sugary decorations from melting.
Balance in decoration is key, overdose of embellishments can make a cake look crowded, and too few can look unfinished.
Apply a thin layer of icing or edible glue to hold decorations in place.

Room temperature is crucial when working with chocolate decorations as they can easily melt in a hot room.
Patience and steady hands are required when placing delicate sugar flowers or other fragile decorations.
Practising with fondant sculpting and painting on a piece of parchment paper before attempting on a cake can be helpful.

Use food colouring to tint fondant, royal icing or sugar paste.
Edible paint can be homemade or store-bought and used to add details or designs.
For fondant, let it dry first before applying any colouring or painting.

Storein a cool, dry place, avoiding direct sunlight that can fade colours and melt certain decorations.
Refrigeration can cause fondant and other sugar decorations to sweat and lose their shape.
When using perishable decorations like cream or fresh fruit, store in the refrigerator and consume within a couple of days.

Ensure your workspace is clean and all tools have been washed before decorating.
Always check the shelf-life of decorations, especially when including perishable items.
Decorations intended for consumption should always be confirmed as edible.