Cake Decorating - A Secret to Smoothing Icing

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Sandy Sheppard

Confectioner's Art

www.confectionersart.com

703-550-6978

sandyscakes2000@yahoo.com

Sandy Sheppard, an award winning Master Cake Designer, and owner of Confectioner's Art, has over 25 years experience and has been published in Who's Who.”

Cake Decorating - A Secret to Smoothing Icing

Master cake decorator Sandy Sheppard demonstrates a secret to smoothing the icing on your cake.

This series: 3,433,211 views

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Sandy Sheppard: Hi! I am Sandy Sheppard, a master cake decorator, and I am here to show you my technique for smoothing most cakes. First of all, I am going to take this ice cake and set it on my nice foil covered board, so that it is ready to work with. I do that by taking a small amount of icing and spreading it on my board that works like glue. I am going to take my spatula and slide it underneath the bottom edge of the cardboard to lift it onto my fingers and move it over to the board, must move that messy turn table out of our way.

Now, I have got my cake on the nice foil board. As I said, this is a fairly nice smooth cake, but I like it even nicer than that and this is my favorite technique. This is just an ordinary paper towel with a very little design in it, I like it best with a very small design. When you look at paper towel, you notice that they are textured in many ways. I just take that paper towel -- let me tell you first how to know when your icing is ready to use this technique. Your icing should be dried at the touch, so when you touch it nothing comes off on your fingers. If that was moist and fresh and I touched it, I would have icing on each of my finger tips. Now, I am going to take my towel and lay it across the top of the cake and gently rub it. As I do this, my fingers are leveling up the surface and the cake will pick up the texture of the paper towel. I have another paper towel that I use that has a very smooth texture, now do you see that pretty little texture on the cake? I like that design for the background of my birthday cakes and any special or all occasion. Then we are going to continue around the sides because of course I want the sides of the cake to look as nice as the top of the cake.

So, continuing I just gently, am rubbing my hands up and down and back and forth. When I run out of paper towel, I pull it off and reposition it and continue. I should pull the cameraman over here and have him do this part, this is easy and I get all my students to do this and they are amazed at how simple this technique is.

Now, I have come back full circle to where I started and this is where I just take a moment and check to see if I missed any spots. Well, right here I have got a little bit of an empty space where it is got a wrinkle so to speak in the icing and Ill just go back with my paper towel one more time over that area and smooth it again and it needs a touch more. This is what happens when you work with a chocolate cake on camera, chocolate cake always tends to still leave a little touch of a crumb underneath the icing or in the middle of the icing.

See, here I have got a couple of more little dips and divots in the cake and I am just going to smooth them up a little bit more with that paper towel. That is my preferred method for giving a nice smooth professional look to a cake.

Loved your videos by pinaysatate at 07/30/12 10:24PM Flag

Hello there! Came across your videos and I am so thankful for your time and generosity. Not many pros would share their knowledge and expertise. I learned a lot and was motivated to practice decorating for my daughter's birthday cake next month. Would it be too much to ask for the recipe of your icing? I've found several recipes online but I'm sure yours is the best :) Kindly email me back at pinaysatate@yahoo.com

cake decorating - a secret to a smooth icing by pandoralexi at 07/08/11 11:28AM Flag

could i please have the reciepe for the icing too pandorawaeger@yahoo.com.au

Icing Recipe by jezzcar at 07/06/11 09:34PM Flag

Hi, I was wondering if I too could please have the recipe for the icing you are using in the clip. My email address is jezzebelle81@mac.com. Thank you.

Icing recipe by Stien at 05/07/11 12:14PM Flag

Hi, I usually do not work with icing, so could you possibly tell me what this icing is made of? I'm looking for a recipe for normal icing, without butter that has the right consistency to ice a weddingcake. My e-mail is: Stien.van.cauwenberge@hotmail.be Thanks in advance

icing and cake mixture? by sumayya10 at 05/05/11 04:10PM Flag

hiya i love you and your videos! i was wondering if you could email me your cake and icing recipes on s.julium@live.co.uk thanks

Icing by Snoozeanne at 04/20/11 03:31AM Flag

I am keen on trying the smoothing technique for the cake, but the icing I use is sticky and not as thick as yours. Is it possible to have your icing recipe?

icing by kerryb at 04/10/11 01:13AM Flag

I also would love your recipe for the icing. The icing that I use won't work for this technique. Thanks kabignell@yahoo.com

by kerryb at 04/10/11 01:11AM Flag

I would love your icing recipe also. I hope to be able to get my cakes look as good

hi there,..!!! by Rhye at 03/03/11 10:00AM Flag

i want to know what kind of icing you use,. em a final year student from Philippines. plz send me the recipe of your icing,. Nicoley_schezuan@yahoo.com we will have a culminating of decorating cake n its a competition,. thank you in advance,.

recipe by Carolyn at 02/26/11 12:33PM Flag

Can I have the recipe for the icing and cake crreb204@aol.com

can you share by Carolyn at 02/26/11 12:31PM Flag

Can I please have the recipe for the cake and icing

Great video by Nurmohamed at 02/01/11 11:16PM Flag

I would love to have the recipe of your icing please email me fatimanurmohamed@mac.com

Thanx by mummyluvsbaking at 01/11/11 06:02PM Flag

I enjoyed learning abt frosting the cake- i seem to end up getting fustrated. U made it look easy! Thanx

Icing recipe by HayleyL at 12/01/10 03:06AM Flag

Hi, would you be able to let me know your icing recipe...i dont seem to be able to get my icing the right consistency. hayleyl86@btinternet.com

Icing recipe by HayleyL at 12/01/10 03:05AM Flag

Hi, these are fab tutorials. Things are explained really well. Can you please give me your recipe for icing...i dont seem to find the right consistency for icing my cake.

icing recipe by duckmom at 11/19/10 09:57AM Flag

May I have the icing recipe too? Loved your decorating how to's. debbie@lanecc.edu

by duckmom at 11/15/10 06:32PM Flag

Icing by kali8 at 11/15/10 05:32PM Flag

I would also love the recipe to that icing you have used!!! :) kali3841@msn.com thanx

Impressed! by Ana0804 at 11/07/10 07:44AM Flag

I like the video instructions, Know I know how to start. I would like to know how to make the Icing. Please mail ana0804@hotmail.com Thanks!

good videos by paty59 at 10/31/10 06:46PM Flag

i like all this videos,but they dont show what is the icing they used.i like to know which is the icing.

by knielson at 10/27/10 12:01PM Flag

great video, I was wondering if I could get the recipe for your frosting also.

cake icing by isawright at 10/13/10 11:00PM Flag

please send me the icing recipe at isadora.wright@yahoo.com

icing by liam9999mail at 09/27/10 09:06PM Flag

what is the icing recipe in the video

by liam9999mail at 09/27/10 09:03PM Flag

what is the recipe for the icing you use in your videos

Buttercream icing recipe by JadedThought at 06/28/10 04:24PM Flag

After extensive searching, I think for this recipe we should try #2 (Faux Fondant) on this page: http://whatscookingamerica.net/PegW/ButtercreamIcing.htm

icing recipe by yswee at 06/20/10 10:12AM Flag

This is great video, but I am wondering if you could send me the icing recipe as it looks different from the rest, it is easier to paste on the cake. My e-mail address is yswee5725@gmail.com

suziek by suziek5 at 06/15/10 11:37AM Flag

i made a birthday cake for my girls birthday but icing was not right if it wasnt in the fridge it went soft could you please email your receipe to meat suziekotevska@hotmail.com than you sooooooooooo much

Icing by Tapzen at 05/04/10 04:19AM Flag

Hi there I was looking @ the video n loved it...Jas wondering if you don't mind giving me your icing recipe....my email address is aelan_kurl@hotmail.com.... I will be making r cake 1 wk frm nao...So I would love to try it out....

cake and icing by perseturbia at 04/26/10 08:54PM Flag

Hello. Thank you so much for posting these videos....they're great!!! I was wondering if I could get a copy of your cake and icing recipe. I've tried several cake recipes and they either fall apart or are too dense it's like cutting into a brick. And also, my frosting doesn't harden unless I refrigerate it for several hours and then it's harder to smooth with your techniques. So if you could please email your preferred cake recipe as well as your icing recipe, I'd greatly appreciate it. (persetu

Monalisa by monacake at 03/20/10 11:43AM Flag

Your video is very helpful for the beginners like me. The techniques which you used are never been seen before.i like u r icing pls tell me icing receipe so that i can also make the perfect cake like you.my email id is monalisa_bandi@yahoo.com. thanks in anticipation.

by DebbieFountain at 02/28/10 11:36PM Flag

Icing by DebbieFountain at 02/28/10 11:34PM Flag

Please im gona do a baby shower cake, whats kind of icing should i use?

Icing by DebbieFountain at 02/28/10 11:34PM Flag

Please im gona do a baby shower cake, whats kind of icing should i use?

Icing by DebbieFountain at 02/28/10 11:34PM Flag

Please im gona do a baby shower cake, whats kind of icing should i use?

Icing by Giselli at 02/11/10 05:05PM Flag

Please im gona do my son 1st bhirthday cake, whats kindg icing should i use? gi.jewett@live.com

cake frosting by letyanez79 at 10/13/09 09:20PM Flag

Hi, I was wondering if the frosting you use is the normal homemade buttercream recipe? If not, could you please send me the recipe you use. I freeze my cakes first in order to frost perfectly and I am trying to get out of that habit. Thank you.

Icing by bananigupta at 10/06/09 12:43PM Flag

Thanks a lot for this video. It was very helpful. Would like to learn more from you. Could you please share your cake icing tips/videos. sheetalssawant@hotmail.com

Wonderful cake by kim at 10/06/09 12:52AM Flag

I like your vedios, they are awesome. If you don't mind Please send me a recipe for making the icing of this cake? By my email: kimhobbs@rocketmail.com ;Thank you so muck!!!!

Good video by monica35 at 10/03/09 01:53AM Flag

I would also love this icing recipe my email is monica_myrtle@hotmail.com

my icing troubles by dlsny71869 at 09/26/09 05:55AM Flag

can you please help with my icing issues i have tried several and they are always real runny would you be willing to give me advice or a recipe i have made butter cream turned out bad also just made a cream cheese whipped icing was not stiff enough to even ice the cake let alone decorate it thanks soooooooooo much for your help

owesome cake decorating by lourdsaldua at 08/30/09 04:59AM Flag

You've done a great job in sharing your secrets in decorating a cake..I wonder if you could email me your icing recipe so i could try it. thanks for helping - lourdsaldua@yahoo.co.nz

nice techinque by mommyv3 at 08/27/09 08:41PM Flag

I wish i saw this the other day before I did my MIL's bday cake. This would have certainly made it look so much nicer. All great tips on here by the way.

An addition to the paper towel trick! by alljs88 at 08/18/09 07:02PM Flag

Instead of using my hand to smooth with the paper towel I also use a foam paint roller! Keep in mind they come in all sizes! Its also great for ensuring level.

Cake Decorating by rreidson at 08/03/09 02:30AM Flag

Could you please share your icing receipe with me? r.r.eidson@comcast.net

Cake Icing by missie at 08/01/09 01:45AM Flag

Really found this helpful. I would also like the icing recipe. Also how do you make fondant icing? I have never had any success making this icing. Thank you. sheila@starhub.net.sg

Love Your Teaching Technique by zcarr1 at 07/24/09 09:35PM Flag

I was so happy when I found your teaching clips they really help me tremendously. I would Love to have your icing recipes: zcarr1@att.net...Please continue to post your clips please I am learning alot from you...Thank you so much

cake decorating by Rachel at 07/22/09 12:29AM Flag

I viewed your cake decorating video, technique was very helpful. Please send me the recipe for the icing you used on that cake! Thank you so much!

Icing by Kchicka at 07/19/09 11:02AM Flag

Hi if possible I'd also like the icing recipe can you please e mail me @ munzy_102@hotmail.com Thank you :-D

doda by doda at 02/28/09 06:30PM Flag

hi it is a realy nice cake can you pleas send the icing recipe for me pleas its my sons birthday i want to do the same cake pleas send it for me to this e-mail (jeyar22@yahoo.com)thank you

Wow....nice job by Snibb at 02/09/09 08:18PM Flag

Your technique for smoothing a cake is something I have never seen before. I have 2 additional questions: 1. Can you supply an excellent white buttercream frosting recipe? 2. Where can I learn to do things other than roses for cake decorating?

Icing by EmBoz at 02/08/09 06:16PM Flag

hi there!! your videos are very helpful! i was just wondering what kind of icing do you use? i really like the consistency of it. I hope you dont mind me asking for the recipe? you may email me at alan.muriel@gmail.com. thank you very very much!

Fantastic Video by maverick1019 at 12/14/08 04:25AM Flag

this video is great. i hope you included the recipe of your cake and the icing being used. thank you

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