With Valentines Day quickly approaching, I wanted to share with you three super easy, super fun, and totally do-able techniques.
Seriously, even my hubby can do these.
And you can too! These are very basic, very simple designs that have a wow factor. It looks like you have spent lots and lots of time but in reality it takes less then 15 minutes!
Want to learn how?
All you need is a few tools. These are readily available at your local craft store.
I used a disposable pastry bag with a #5 tip and a nine inch offset spatula. You can certainly improvise and use a plastic baggy and knife if you want too!
We will start with our cake. This is a white cake with the BEST BUTTERCREAM FROSTING EVER tinted a fun sweetheart lovey dovey shade of pink. (will post recipe at end)
I did a crumb coat (or dirty iced it) then did another coat of frosting and smoothed it out. You dont have to worry about perfection here… if there are wholes or bumps, we can cover them with our design!
When making a dot cake you can make very precise uniform dots that have a very specific pattern. Or, if you are anything like me, you want to hurry up and decorate this thing so you can catch the end of your favorite TV show.
Hence, random dots. Just place them any-old-where.
I got a little crazy with my dots. If you want perfectly uniform dots you can do that too… just takes a few second more of your time and concentration.
I also added some smaller dots to fill in the space. Then a little border around the bottom.
You could re-create this cake in many ways if you wanted to personalize your Valentines Day treat. How about white with red dots? Or chocolate with white and red dots?
I might have to make one like that next year!
Next up is the very technical and absolute term of "squiggly lines".
For this we will also be using the disposable pastry bag and #5 tip. I have sorta used this design before… here and here… and used smaller tips. (The first with with contrasting colors and a more specific design, the second is monochromatic and also a scroll type design.) Here I did a whole cake in the squigglys and have been hooked ever since.
Start out with any random ole pattern. Then just build around it! I made one solid shape here, then sorta just squiggled my frosting all around it.
Can you see the original shape? Fun huh? Now just keep going around the whole cake!
And now for our last design!
Start out with a cake that has been crumb coated. You can see that this is a rough stage and shows lots of crumbs and cake through the frosting. Thats ok!
Create a generous layer of frosting around the cake.
Once you get a nice thick layer on, gently smooth the frosting so you have a flat surface. You will be removing excess frosting, but not too much!
Place your spatula flat against the cake, then gently move up, applying even pressure.
For the next row, place the spatula on the line you have created making sure to overlap.
Do this all the way around the cake.
Until you have this. Pretty cool huh?
And remember that super amazing buttercream frosting recipe? Be warmed… this is the sweet stuff. Like, ridiculously sweet. I just happen to be a fan of that.
(adapted from allrecipes.com)
THE BEST BUTTERCREAM
Such beautiful ideas for Valentine’s Day cakes! Love these, Amanda.
how cute!!! love all the ideas. and they actually look like something I could do. You’re amazing! as always!
Can you make the frosting using butter rather than shortening?
Awesome! Thanks for sharing those tips! Perhaps one will work for my daughter! My daughter wants a pink cake for her birthday. Can’t wait to try out this frosting recipe!! Do you have any suggestions for a soon to be 5 year old who loves anything girly? She wants a pink cake! LOL I just don’t know how to decorate!
All 3 are super cute! I never crumbcoat…seems like a waste of time
Great ideas.
i adore you. i love everything you do! my sons bar mitzvah is sept 10 – i want cookies, lots and lots of cookies. start now! xx
I don’t care if I had the best icing bag, most fantastic #5 tip or world famous nine inch offset spatula, there’s nothing I have or could do that would have my cakes turn out as pretty as yours. Great tips and beautiful cakes Amanda. Love the shade of pink you used and envious of those who get to eat those three cakes
We’re snowed in here… maybe I will bake with the kids tomorrow before history group! Thanks for the ideas. You’re amazing.
Simle, but elegant. Love, love!
*Simple, but elegant. Love, love!
Love your “squiggly lines” cake. I have tried before and haven’t liked my technique. Maybe I’ll try it again. BTW, I recently used lemon flavoring in my buttercream, and I absolutely adored it! Generally I prefer almond buttercream (coconut is good too though), but lemon is easily as good as almond.
Love these! I am totally going to try the one with the dots
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
My goodness, those cakes are beautiful! You make it look so easy, I’m sure I’d butcher mine some how. Can I “job” shadow you like I did in grade school?
My goodness, those cakes are beautiful! You make it look so easy, I’m sure I’d butcher mine some how. Can I “job” shadow you like I did in grade school?
I looooove polka dots! In fact, I thought my mom had made our 3-tier wedding cake covered in dots–until our 10th anniversary when I looked at the pictures and realized it was 4-tier with squiggles! Guess my mind was elsewhere–and guess I can’t keep wishing for polka dots after that fantastic tutorial! I’ll go forth and bake and polka …well, dots anyway. Happy Valentines Day! (and birthday first!)
so cute and so simple!
Polka dots are my favorite cake decorating fall back! I like to dip my finger in cornstarch and pat down all the dots, so they look really smooth. I’ve never tried dragging the spatula through the icing like that. I’ll have to give it a try soon!
Love these! The polka dots are my favorite:) You make them all seem easy to do-thats nice!!
I love that first one. Maybe I will be brave and attempt this for Valentine’s Day!
These are the sweetest!! They’re all equally adorable! I love monochrome cakes with simple designs…sometimes I think they make so much more impact! Especially all three of these together! Love them! Thanks for the ideas!
thank you so much for the frosting recipe!!!
Beautiful! Whether for V-Day or a girl’s birthday party, these pink cakes would be perfect!
That’s the recipe I use for my buttercream! Isn’t it awesome? I have to make a whimsical pink birthday cake for someone soon, and you have given me some great ideas. I just have to decide if I want to do the swirlies or the dots.
I’m gonna try it! How do you crumb coat a cake? Stick it in the freezer first?
That’s a variation of the frosting I always use and get nothing but rave reviews on. I’ve found that 8 cups of powdered sugar is WAYYYYYYYYY to much and makes it much much MUCH too sweet (and I like sweet stuff). I tone it down to 6 cups, and it’s perfect. I also do 1 cup shortening, and 1 cup of butter instead. Those tweaks make a great recipe even better
xoxo!!
Amanda you and Kristan are inspiring me to try a cake……I see one in my very near future!
so what size pan(s) do I need for that smaller taller cake (like the first cake) and do you use one cake recipe for that? or is that size cake smaller? like 1/2 a recipe?……see lots of questions.
you teach me cake…….I’ll teach you PIE!♥
All of your cakes are so pretty! Love them all!
Oh, these are just wonderful. I posted a link on ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com, of course, because you’re too brilliant not to share.
Soooo pretty, Amanda! You make it look so easy:) You have amazing photography skills!!!
big ole happy sigh . . . this just makes me all dreamy and happy . . . fairies all around kinda happy . . . and no, i am not on drugs . . .
how easy to make a simple cake PERFECT, thank you
Adopt me please!
Well that’s just pertiful! Will you be my valentine and give me one of those cakes?
So pretty, Amanda! I love the one with the dots.
Thanks for pointing us to your flickr page. I could spend all day looking at what you have created. My goodness, you have such adorable, photogenic children!
Gosh, I wish I had a bite right now. its beautiful, but looks even more tasty!
Wow… Those cakes look fantastic! Sometimes simple and easy is the best. I especially love the squiggly design (I know there is a name for it, but can’t for the life of me remember it at the moment)… Mine never turns out very well… But, I always just try to go top to bottom or something. Starting out with a random shape is a very good idea! Thanks
I’m going to have to try that buttercream. I haven’t found one that I love yet….and I trust you.
Very pretty decorating ideas!
All three look delicious! Thanks fo rthe ideas!
Ok silly question – does the cream mean that the icing always has to be refridgerated? Thanks!
These are so beautiful and fun! Thanks for sharing!
Actually, baggies DO NOT WORK! Do not use them in place of a decorating bag. I have had horrible experiences with that… but, great job on the cakes. My buttercream recipe is quite adaptable and very simple as below. (it triples nicely)
1/3 cup butter
1-2 T milk
powdered sugar (you’re supposed to measure, but I NEVER do)
1 tsp vanilla
Combine all ingredients until smooth anf fluffy.
Enjoy!
Awwww, so pretty in pink. Sweet cakes! Love all the technique wisdom you share with us girl. You cake goddess you
xo
TOO adorable! Thank you for sharing!
Just beautiful! I am in love with the color of that frosting!
You make me feel like I could actually do this! Maybe I will try a cake for Valentine’s day. Or maybe I will practice with more cookies…whatever it is, thank you for the ideas!
Thank you for all the tips! One of my 2011 goals is to bake more and learn to do cakes. So this is great inspiration! Thanks!
Thanks for the decorating tips! Beautiful cakes, too!
Thanks for the decorating tips! Beautiful cakes, too!
Lovely cakes, Amanda! And even more lovely designs – so simple yet so elegant!
always amazing posts!
thank you for these beautiful pink beauties!!
Pretty in pink or should it be beautiful in blue?
All lovely and impressive ideas for valentines day. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve done these designs myself, but woman, you make it look so easy! wonderful tutorial…I imagine there will be lots of great looking Valentine’s Day cakes thanks to you!
I was Internet-less for days and days and missed your giveaway! I had the perfect name! Maximillian. Well I love love the cakes (as always in-love with everything I see on here). Thanks for awesome ideas. NO THANKS though for the extra 4 lbs since stumbling on your site! Lol
Gorgeous pink cakes! I love the vertical spatula technique for the icing on the 3rd cake!
Looks simple, pretty and thanks for sharing this.
So, I’ve been watching “The Story of Us” from the History Channel. It’s basically a general overview of US History. Anyway, I couldn’t help but see your polka dot cake as an example of the small pox disease.
Ha! Please don’t take offense. I love it, and I’ll probably do it sometime. 
Thanks for sharing these easy ones!!!!
Gorgeous!
Thank you for this great tutorial!
What an awesome tutorial. If you like pink cakes and frosting and that sort of thing.
Your cakes are always so level and neat and pretty!!!
Which, I do. I pretty much live for it.
I don’t like shortening in my frosting very much, but man those cakes are adorable!! I’m totally digging the three cakes all together.
Jess : )
cute! I will be trying these for all season cake decorating!
You have more faith in my abilities than I do! It’ll never end up looking like that! Gorgeous!
Do I have to start thinking Valentine’s Day already??
I love valentines day, if only for the wonderful baked goods everyone can come up with! Beautiful, once again Amanda.
i’m pretty excited–this is absolutely something i can execute. thanks for the ideas, amanda!
Thanks for the great tips and ideas. I am definitely making that buttercream frosting next time I make a cake. Unlike some people, I love the texture the shortening gives to frosting, but I have never had a shortening based buttercream with whipping cream? I can’t wait to try it.
These look better than professional!
A girl not afraid to use shortening! I think I love you.
These cakes are both beautiful and fun – lovely job.
Thanks so much for these tips!!
Wow! Those three ideas are so simple, and yet so amazing! thank you for the wonderful ideas for cakes
Really awesome post. Thanks! Beautiful decorating. You are very talented
WOW!!!! The cakes look amazing, and yet, so easy to decorate!! Thanks for the tutorial!
I love them all, but my favourite is the polka dot cake. I’m seriously considering trying on for my daughter’s 4th birthday party this weekend. I just showed her the pictures and she said “YES!”, then said she wants one of each
A girl after my own heart!
The three of them look so amazing I can’t even pick a favorite. Lovely!
So pretty!,I am making a 3 layer cake for my parents surprise 40th anniversary party, Dumb question how many batches should I make to frost the cake (double layer 8 in,10in &12in).
This will be my first time making something so big any tips of the trade?
I meant 3 tier double layered cakes….
I’m a new follower – following you from Martha’s DiD site. Your cakes are so pretty and thanks for sharing the new techniques! I am going to try your butter cream recipe as well – heavy cream sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Ooh, loving all the pink! I think I may try that squiggle technique on my next cake…
I can’t remember if I commented on this post yet, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE these gorgeous cakes. I am going to attempt to make the dot cake and maybe the one with the stripes. I don’t think I will like the way my squiggles turn out. If they turn out cute, I may make a few small cakes as little gifts for a few of my mommy friends for Valentine’s Day. What diameter cake pans did you use?
Your cakes and designs are so beautiful!!!! Thanks so much for sharing how to do it ’cause I totally suck at decorating cakes but I think I could do this! I’ll bet everyone goes nuts for your cakes!
absolutely gorgeous — all of them! love the pink shade, the designs, and i’m always up for a good buttercream recipe
Do the results come out the same if you use cream cheese frosting instead? I’m not a fan of butter cream…
Could you use this same recipe substituting butter for the shortening?
Gorgeous cakes, tasty tutorials and stunning photography… Brava!
love it!!!! I’ve been searching the web for a easy to do valentine cake. seems pretty easy my only problam is wont that make alot of icing i mean 8 cups wow!!!!!!!!If you have anytime could you plase send me somemore cake pictures you have made to my emal please thanks.
Okay, you convinced me! I am going to start baking again…although I will be sending it to my husband’s office, so I am not tempted. I have lost 40 lbs., we are empty nesters, and I DON”T NEED this in the house!!! ha ha ha ha But I can’t pass it up. I am doing a bridal shower and the white roses are going to be my first attempt for a cake, then a baby shower (not for same lady) and I will be making the cookies and cupcakes with the baby peeking over the edge. Thanks for the great ideas!!!!
Hi Amanda, Love your blog and cakes. thanks for sharing the tips. I notice you have a new favorite buttercream recipe – is that because it’s better to decorate with or better it tastes better?
I LOVE your buttercream frosting recipe! I used it yesterday for some valentines sugar cookies. I blogged about it at my brand new blog, More Like Martha (alotlikemartha.blogspot.com). Thank you so much for all of your inspiration!
wow! amazing. you are a very talented cake decorator!
i’m so excited to try the third technique for our school’s Carnival and cake walk! maybe with chocolate frosting…yummmmmm…thanks again! as always you are simply amazing! i am in awe!!!
)
Hi, I have linked these wonderful instructions up to my party planning blog. I love the tips and tricks and your cakes are so darn cute. Thank you
poppylopparties.blogspot.com
BEAUTIFUL cakes! I am so inspired and want to make a cake now.
Wow! awesome design. Love it.
Thanks for the pics and tutorial -step by step. It is hard to find great tutorials on cakes. I made my daughter’s first birthday cake…hmmm..not posting that pic!
Love them all! Just shared on The Crafting Chicks Facebook page!
I’m wondering if this “The Best Buttercream” icing can be frozen? I want to make cupcakes for my daughter’s first birthday using your recipe but I have a lot of preparations to do the day before and day of and was wondering if I could make the cupcakes ahead of time and keep them in the freezer. I make these cupcakes (http://couplethatcooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/im-addicted-chocolate-cupcakes.html) all the time and keep them in the freezer and they taste perfect coming out of the freezer. As this is a buttercream recipe and the one I use for the chocolate cupcakes above is I”m guessing I can but I thought I’d ask as I’d hate to ruin a batch of cupcakes if it doesn’t work. I could always ask my sister who’s the professional cake decorator, but I thought I’d check with you first.
Thanks for your time;)
Hi thank you very much for the recipe!
Im will give it a try tomorrow but still got one question regarding the heavy cream:
Do I have to whip the heavy cream extra or just add in to the rest?
greetings from Germany! (and sorry for my bad English)
Can i use butter instead of shortening in the buttercream frosting?
Your Buttercream recipe is AWESOME!!! I used it for my little girls birthday cake and everyone went on and on about how good it was!! It is my new go to recipe!! Thanks!
Sounds like a yummy buttercream recipe. Does it need to be refrigerated?
Just made this frosting for a birthday cake. Awesome! I have a new favorite
I made this buttercream icing for the second time, and it was leaps and bounds better than my first attempt. The first time, I made the entire batch in my stand mixer. It was just too much. It made a huge mess, and the consistency never got right. I don’t think there was enough room for everything to mix. The second time, I divided up the batch and made it twice. This worked perfectly, and the consistency was ideal!
Does the frosting need to be kept in the fridge?
Oh my goodness! How did you make the hydrangea blooms on the cake on the flickr page?
Could i substitute the shortening with butter? I live in holland and shortening is not an item that i can easily find.
What an excellent cake and it looking so nice and also it pink color looking very cool. It making very easy. It such a lovely cake.
Your cakes are beautiful. I’m wondering if you have a reason that your prefer shortening in your buttercream icing instead of butter or half and half. Thank you for your time.
Beautiful cakes. The simplicity of each just adds to their appeal. I think even I could do this!!!
Thanks you for the nice recie and photo’s. This cake looks really sweet!!!
Stuart
Does this buttercream recipe need to be refrigerated since it calls for heavy cream? I have always used the Wilton recipe, but don’t really like it. I do like that it doesn’t have to be refrigerated. Love your designs!!!
Here I am about to make this recipe for my Mother’s cake. The party is tonight, and I can’t seem to find “heavy cream” ANYWHERE!!!??? What percentage of cream do you use? My stores don’t seem to have anything higher than 35%… It’s probably no use asking you this late in the game, but I’m desperate so I thought I’d try.
Oh the decoration ideas are mind-blowing.Look at the colours and designs which touches my eyes.It looks pretty cool.I am speech less for this.
Thank you for all your wonderful tutorials! Your cakes not only look fantastic but your recipes are delicious! Always excited to see what you come up with next
Cake Decorating Questions:
Looking for help. I have been decorating cakes for over a year now and I love it. I have been ask to make a football field with a 3-D VTech Hookie Bird on top. I am up for the challenge but don’t know how to do the bird. Any ideas?
Hi Amanda, beatiful cakes indeed! I would like to ask what should I use in place of shortening, because in greece, there is not such thing, and it’s very difficult to have the same result! There is only pure butter! thanks! You can send me a message at fbpage, as Giota Noutsi!kisses!
Beautiful!
I say you hello from France!
Sandrine
HI! Love your cakes! Just wondering how far in advance I can make the frosting whose recipe is on this page :O)
love these ^_^
Came across your blog yesterday and it so happened that I needed a cake decorated for a friend today and so decided to try the squiggle. She wanted it purple but sadly I can’t upload the picture for you to see ;(