Professional bakers use special tools and equipment to create the amazing decorations and designs on small and large cakes that make them stand out in the bakery window. Home bakers can also create these same types of designs with a little bit of practice and the right tools to get the job done easily and correctly.
One of the most important tools required to make beautifully decorated cakes is a cake decorating turntable. There are several different options possible, and a great place to find the right match for your decorating needs is at N.Y. Cake.
Options to Consider
A cake decorating turntable has many different design options. Beginner styles tend to be flat, allowing for easy use of the system while still allowing the cake to turn a full 360 degrees for easy access to all sides.
The pedestal styles of turntables are ideal for more advanced and professional decorators, with some of these styles allowing the turntable to tilt, which is ideal for working on piping and stringwork at the correct level around the entire surface area of the cake.
Using the Turntable: Basic Tips
The importance of the cake decorating turntable is to allow the icing to be applied evenly and consistently around the sides of the cake. It is easier to hold the spatula or the smoother and turn the cake than it is to try to move the icing tool.
It is important to use a tool that allows full coverage of the side of the cake. This allows the buttercream or other icing option to be applied with one turn of the turntable, creating a smooth, even and professional looking surface.
When piping using the decorating turntable, the same general principle is applied. The piping tip stays in one place, and the cake is rotated, allowing for an even line of decoration around the sides at the same level.