Cake Week: 5 Days to Create Professional-Looking Cakes at Home

Learn how to make professional-looking cakes at home! This series teaches you all the basic skills you need to take your homemade cakes to the next level.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Learn how to make simple, yet professional-looking cakes at home! This series is perfect for beginners, and teaches you all the skills you need to take your homemade cakes to the next level. You don't have to be a professional to use these cake decorating tips and tricks, but after showing everyone what you can do, friends will be paying YOU to make all their birthday goodies!

Some of you know this deep dark secret about me. The one I have from what seems like a whole other lifetime ago. I like to use it for those Get-to-Know-You-Games, because it always shocks everyone.

Ready for it? Okay, here it goes…

I ran my own cake business for two years right out of college.

Crazy, right?

It started by binge-watching episodes of Cake Boss and Ultimate Cake Off, and ended with me enrolling in all four of Michael’s Arts and Crafts Cake Classes. During that time, I discovered I was pretty good at it!

At first, I made simple birthday cakes, then it turned into shower cakes, and then the ultimate challenge—wedding cakes. I even sold cupcakes and cookies at my local farmer’s market during the Summer. My name? Simply Sweet.

shower-cake-1

While I don’t do cakes professionally anymore, I don’t regret any of the skills I learned. Those days spent in the kitchen practicing until my hands hurt, allowed me to create professional looking cakes at home, so now I don’t have to spend money to buy them from someone else.

You’ve seen the prices right? Hundreds, even thousands of dollars for themed cakes from specialty bakeries. Or, you have to settle for the $20 {not-so-amazing} cakes from the grocery store.

That’s why this week, I want to teach you some basic skills so you can create your own gorgeous cakes with ease. The best part? You don’t have to be a professional to use these tricks!

Tools You Need:You don't need hundreds of decorating tips and gadgets to make a pretty cake, but there are a few items that make a BIG difference in terms of professionalism. These cake decorating supplies should be in every home decorator's kitchen!

In case you’re worried, you don’t need hundreds of decorating tips and gadgets to make a pretty cake, but there are a few things that will make this journey a whole lot easier.

Here’s what I suggest:

  • High quality round cake pans. I prefer the 10″ and 6″ for two layer stacked cakes, and an 8″ for a two-layer single cake. This set is more cost effective than buying them individually.
  • Decorating bags and couplers
  • Icing spatula {I actually prefer the straight ones as opposed to the angled ones}
  • Tips 4 and Tip 12 {two sizes round}
  • Tip 21 {star}
  • Tip 1M {for cupcakes}
  • Icing colors {gels work much better than those liquid colors you get at the grocery store}

Optional, but useful:

Now you’re ready to create professional looking cakes!

Home Base:

This post will serve as home base for the entire series, so pin it now before you lose track. Each day, I’ll be updating the post with new links and graphics that will take you to each post. That way you have everything you need all in one place!

Are you excited for this week as much as I am? I can’t wait to see your own inspired creations as you enter this whole new world of cake decorating!

Be sure to tag me on Instagram (@kalynbrookco) if you snap a photo of your work.

Are You Ready for a Week of Sugary Inspiration?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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8 Comments

  1. Love to bake and I will love to lorn, but I don’t know how to start! I will love to take classes but is to far from where I live!

  2. Hello I’m actually trying to make a cake and I want it to be very professional looking like yours. I also love your designs. Which should I use for a more professional look, homemade cake or box cake?

    1. We always used Pillsbury Moist Supreme and everyone raved. The professional touches are in the decorating and the leveling of the cake before you ever put any frosting on it. 🙂

  3. Oooh! I’m so excited. I remember you saying that you decorated cakes before. I’m so impressed! My Mom always made our birthday cakes growing up, and I want to continue that tradition. I made Nathan a curious George cake for his 2nd birthday and he loved it. I’m looking forward to learning from you this week!

    1. Thanks, Lindsey. If I can do it, you can too! It just takes a little patience but it can be a lot of fun.

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