Baking Cakes at home 2/2 Cake Decoration

Baking Cakes at home 2/2  Cake Decoration


METHOD I   The Basic Whipped Cream ( with or without chocolate flavor )

— it’s the easiest, light, and goes well with almost any cake.

Main ingredient: Heavy or whipping cream
Texture: Soft, fluffy, airy
Taste: Lightly sweet
How made: Whipped with sugar until thick
Good for: Fresh cream cakes, fruit toppings, light sponge cakes
Note: Must be kept cold — melts easily in heat

Step 1:
Chill everything — mixing bowl and whisk should be cold
 (place in fridge/freezer for 10–15 min).

Ingredients:
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or whipping cream (at least 30–35% fat)
2 tablespoons sugar (powdered sugar works best for smooth texture)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
200 ml not enough yeah 

Step 2:

2.i (a) (optional: Stabilized Whipped Cream - it won’t melt easily)
            Good for tropical climates (like Singapore 😉) or when the cake needs to stay out longer.

            before whipping:
             Add 
         1 tsp gelatin (softened in 2 tsp water) 
         or 1 tbsp cornstarch 
         or 1 tbsp milk powder to your cream

2.i (b) (optional variations: Chocolate Whipped Cream )

            before whipping
            Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder 
            + 2 tbsp sugar 

2.i (c) (optional: For richer Chocolate taste)
melt 100 g dark chocolate, 
cool slightly, and 
fold into whipped cream after whipping (after 2.ii).

2.ii Pour in the cold cream.
Start whipping (using hand whisk, electric mixer, or stand mixer).
When it starts thickening, add sugar and vanilla.
Continue whipping 
until soft peaks form (for filling) 
or stiff peaks (for decorating).

Wisked 3 minutes

2.iii Don’t overwhip — it’ll turn into butter or become grainy!

Tip:
If you’re in a warm place (hot weather like Singapore 🌞), 
keep a bowl of ice under your mixing bowl to stay cool while whipping.

TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use
Whipped CreamHeavy cream
or
whipping cream

whipped with sugar until thick, until soft peaks from (for filling) or stiff peaks form (for decorating.)

Do not over whip it turns into butter or grainy. 

soft,
fluffy,
Light & airy
Mild
lightly sweet
Soft
melts easily

Stabilization (gelatin/cornstarch)
help to last longer in warm weather

always chill it.

fresh cream cake

Fresh fruit toppings 

shortcakes

light sponge cakes

METHOD II  Healthier Yogurt Whipped Cream Light

TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use
Healthier
Whipped Cream Light

Greek Yogurt 

2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

whip cream until soft peaks,
then fold in yogurt gently.


soft, fluffy

Less Fat, more protein
fresh fruits, natural sweetness, sour.

Yogurt gives a tangy, fresh taste and cuts the fat

Soft
melts easily

Stabilization (gelatin/cornstarch)
help to last longer in warm weather






Layering

Spread thin layer of cream over the
fresh fruit (strawberries, mango, blueberries.)

Stack and repeat

Chill 2 - 3 hours







METHOD III   Buttercream Frosting

Main ingredient: Butter + icing sugar
Texture: Smooth, rich, dense
Taste: Sweet and creamy
How made: Butter beaten until fluffy, then mixed with sugar and milk
Good for: Decorations, piping, tall layered cakes
Note: Stays firm even at room temperature

Buttercream (sweeter, heavier)

Beat until fluffy:
1 cup unsalted butter 
2–3 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla, 
and 1–2 tbsp milk

Type Main Base Texture Sweetness Stability Common Use



Buttercream

Butter +
icing sugar

beat butter until fluffy then mix with sugar and milk.

smooth,
Thick & rich,
dense

Sweet and creamy Very stable

(does not melt easily)
stays firm even at room temperature
Decoration /
frosting tall layered cakes
/ piping designs






METHOD IV  Cream Cheese Frosting

Main ingredient: Cream cheese + butter + icing sugar
Texture: Creamy, silky, slightly tangy
Taste: Less sweet than buttercream
How made: Beat cream cheese and butter together, then add sugar and vanilla
Good for: Red velvet, carrot, banana, or cheesecake-style cakes
Note: Should be chilled; can soften in warm weather

Cream Cheese Frosting (for carrot/red velvet cakes)

Beat 
200 g cream cheese, 
100 g butter, 
1 cup icing sugar, 
1 tsp vanilla.


TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use





Cream Cheese Frosting


Cream cheese
+ butter +
icing sugar

beat cream cheese and butter together,
then add sugar and vanilla.
silky,
Smooth, creamy & tangy


Moderate

classic cheesecake flavor

(less sweet
than buttercream)
Stable (cool temp)

can soften in warm weather,

should be chilled.

banana cake,
cheesecake-style cakes/
Carrot cake
/ red velvet cakes / cupcakes

METHOD V   Stabilized Cream Frosting / Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting or Stabilized Cream Frosting, and it’s very popular in bakeries 

Combined whipped cream with cream cheese
a light but stable hybrid frosting ( a popular modern version used in the bakeries )

lighter than buttercream,
more stable than plain whipped cream, and
has a subtle cream cheese tang that balances sweetness beautifully.

🧁 Whipped Cream + Cream Cheese Frosting (Perfect Balance)

🧂 Ingredients:
200 g cream cheese (softened, room temperature)
1 cup (240 ml) cold whipping cream (30–35% fat)
¼ cup icing sugar (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Optional: 
for tropical climates, 
add 1 teaspoon gelatin 
dissolved in 2 tsp water to make it more stable.)

Steps:

Step 1 — Whip the Cream:

Chill your mixing bowl and whisk.
Pour in the cold whipping cream.
Beat until soft peaks form (not stiff yet).
Set aside in fridge.

Step 2 — Beat the Cream Cheese:

In another bowl, 
beat cream cheese 
icing sugar 
vanilla until smooth and creamy.

Make sure there are no lumps.

Step 3 — Combine Them Gently:

Take your whipped cream from the fridge.
Add the cream cheese mixture 
a few spoonfuls at a time into the whipped cream.
Use a spatula (or lowest mixer speed) to 
gently fold or mix until smooth and fluffy.


Step 4 — Chill & Use:

Use immediately for frosting, or refrigerate for 30 mins to thicken.

Pipe, spread, or fill your cake 
— it holds shape beautifully and tastes light yet rich.

💡 Notes:

Texture: 
Silky, fluffy, slightly tangy — not greasy or overly sweet.

Storage: 
Keep refrigerated; stable up to 2–3 days.

Perfect for:

Fresh fruit cakes
Cheesecake-style sponge cakes
Strawberry shortcakes
“Swimming pool” cakes with jelly top

TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use
Whipped Cream (A)
Heavy cream

whipped with sugar until thick, until soft peaks from (for filling) or stiff peaks form (for decorating.)

Do not over whip it turns into butter or grainy. 

fluffy,
Light & airy
Mild
lightly sweet
Soft
melts easily

Stabilization (gelatin/cornstarch)
help to last longer in warm weather

always chill it.


fresh cream cake/
Fresh fruit toppings / shortcakes / light sponge cakes



METHOD VI Clear Gelatin Glaze/Gelatin-based mirror glaze, agar Jelly Glaze, or jelly topping 
Thick, fully transparent poured over a whole cake to look like glass or water.
Thick Layer transparent glossy Layer over the cake surface 
Decoration with swimming pool / ocean effect
e.g., "pool cakes"  or "aquarium cakes"

TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use
mirror glaze

fruit glaze (gelée)

nappage.


water or apple juice
sugar
cornstarch or potato starch
lemon juice

gelatin powder


add shine, preserves colorfruit sweet

Soft
melts easily

Stabilization (gelatin/cornstarch)
help to last longer in warm weather

always chill it.


Layering / Spread thin layer of shinning transparent cream over the fresh fruit (strawberries, mango, blueberries.)

Stack and repeat

Chill 2 - 3 hours

Keep fruits looking shiny and fresh. 

Prevent them from drying or browning. 

Add a light sweetness.


💧 Clear Gelatin Mirror Glaze (“Swimming Pool Water” Effect)

Ingredients:

    250 ml water
    50 g sugar
    10 g gelatin powder (about 1 tablespoon)
    A few drops of blue food coloring (optional, for water tint)

    (Optional: ½ tsp lemon juice or vanilla essence for freshness)

🧑‍🍳 Steps:

Soften gelatin:
    
    Sprinkle gelatin powder into 2 tablespoons of cold water. 
    Let it bloom (absorb water) for 5–10 minutes.

Make syrup:
    
    In a saucepan, heat 250 ml water + sugar until sugar dissolves.
    Don’t boil too hard — just hot enough that steam starts rising.

Add gelatin:
    
    Remove from heat, then stir in the softened gelatin until fully melted and the mixture becomes clear.
    (If you add blue color, do it now — 1–2 drops is enough.)

Cool slightly:

    Let it cool until it’s lukewarm (about 30–35°C).
    It should be liquid but not hot — if too hot, it’ll melt your whipped cream!

Pour gently:
    
    Place your chilled cake (with cream and decorations already done) on a rack or tray.
    Slowly pour the glaze over the top, letting it spread evenly to cover the surface.
    It will set into a thick, glossy, clear layer after chilling for about 1 hour in the fridge.

💡 Tips
        
    For a deeper “pool” effect, pour the glaze into a slightly raised border
         (use acetate or cake ring to contain it).

For ocean or swimming themes, you can:

    Tint half the glaze light blue, half clear — layer them for depth.
    Add small fondant characters, gelatin bubbles, or fruit “islands” before pouring.

    Keep the cake refrigerated — the jelly stays shiny and firm.




METHOD VII Gelatin Mirror Glaze Transparent glossy Layer over Fruits
Transparent glossy layer over fruits (e.g., strawberry tarts)

TypeMain BaseTextureSweetnessStabilityCommon Use
mirror glaze

fruit glaze (gelée)

nappage.


water or apple juice
sugar
cornstarch or potato starch
lemon juice

gelatin powder


add shine, preserves colorfruit sweet

Soft
melts easily

Stabilization (gelatin/cornstarch)
help to last longer in warm weather

always chill it.


Layering / Spread thin layer of shinning transparent cream over the fresh fruit (strawberries, mango, blueberries.)

Stack and repeat

Chill 2 - 3 hours

Keep fruits looking shiny and fresh. 

Prevent them from drying or browning. 

Add a light sweetness.

🍓 Simple Transparent Fruit Glaze (Gelée / Nappage)

    Ingredients:

        1 cup (240 ml) water or apple juice (clear, mild flavor)
        2 tablespoons sugar
        1 tablespoon cornstarch (or potato starch)
        1 teaspoon lemon juice (adds shine, preserves color)

    Optional (for stronger set):
        1 teaspoon gelatin powder (soaked in 2 tsp water)

🧑‍🍳 Steps:
    In a small saucepan, mix sugar + cornstarch.
        Add water (or juice) slowly while stirring until smooth.
        Heat over medium flame, stir constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes clear and glossy             (about 2–3 minutes).
        
        Add lemon juice, stir once, then remove from heat.
        Let it cool slightly — warm but not hot.
        
        Brush or spoon over your fruits on the cake.
        It will turn into a thin, transparent shiny layer once cooled.

💡 Tips:
    If you use gelatin, dissolve it in warm water and add after turning off the heat (don’t boil gelatin).

You can use apricot jam glaze too — dilute 1 tbsp apricot jam with 1 tbsp hot water, strain, and brush over fruits.

Works beautifully on fresh strawberries, kiwi, mango, blueberries, etc.

Would you like the glaze to stay soft and jelly-like (like bakery fruit tarts) or firm and mirror-like (like mousse cakes)?
The ratio is slightly different depending on which style you want.