<p><b><i> An illustrated guide to turning baked treats into professional-looking culinary masterpieces. </i></b></p><p><b><i>Cake Decorating Skills</i></b> reveals professional cake-decorating secrets that can be easily mastered by even a novice baker. Step-by-step photography and clear instructions teach readers how to make quick and easy flowers, pretty piped patterns, perfect frosting and mouthwatering chocolate flourishes.</p><p>The book covers techniques and recipes for every kind of cake, filling, frosting, covering and decoration. It includes:</p><ul><li>Basic recipes for sponge cake, cupcakes, sugar cookies, buttercream frosting, fondant and royal icing<li>Color icings with instruction on color theory, dusting, spraying, shading and special effects<li>Covering and texturing with tiers, novelty shapes, rolled fondant, flat and piped buttercream and chocolate paste<li>Molds made of sugar paste, plastic and silicone to create figures and beads<li>Working with chocolate to wrap a cake, make shards and create flowers, fans and molds. </li></ul><p>Baking fancy cakes at home is a popular hobby, and enthusiasts are always looking for new inspiration and ways to improve their skills. <b><i>Cake Decorating Skills</i></b> is an essential addition to any baker's reference shelf.</p>