Easy Cake Decorating: How to Make Cake Frosting Shiny

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Hi Bold Bakers!

You often ask me to show you easy ways to decorate baked goods. I have previously shared some really fun and alternative ways to decorate, like using just a simple spoon and fork in my 4 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cake post. I also shared How to Use Piping Nozzles, where I show you how to utilize the most common piping nozzles found in most kits. I’m so excited to share this odd little trick with you, using a hairdryer for amazing results. It is a winner, whether you’re a beginner or a pro!

As Bold Bakers, we all know that it is the little things, those simple little steps we take along the way that make all of the difference in the finished product. That said, sometimes when baking at home, we can take all the necessary steps the pros take but not end up with that professional sleek look. It’s not because you’re not a great baker, it’s simply because you might not know all the tricks of the trade!

There is always something to be said for a little smoke and mirrors. For example, most layer cakes don’t just magically stand tall on their own; they are held up by wooden or plastic rods or dowels, hidden in the center. An impressive pastry like Croquembouche is often held together with Styrofoam cylinders and toothpicks. And when you see a cake in the store that is glimmering all over, it’s not just because it’s been ever-so-perfectly frosted. This brings me to one of my favorite secret baking basics; how to make your cakes look shiny!

To make your frosted cakes look extra sleek and shiny, all you need is a hair dryer. It sounds crazy, but this is exactly what I mean by “tricks of the trade.” Use any old hair dryer on the lowest setting to lightly blow hot air over the cake until the frosting starts to ever so slightly soften, and then simply wait.

When the cake cools, the melted frosting will solidify, and keep its shiny appearance. Give this a try, and I promise that you will have everyone thinking you’re a full fledged pro!

Have you tried my master cake recipes yet? If you are a vanilla fan, then I strongly recommend my Vanilla Birthday Cake recipe. If chocolate is more of your flavor, then you have got to go with my Best-Ever Chocolate Cake recipe. And you can even make a 3-Layer Cake in the Microwave. You will use these recipes for years to come!

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