Top 5 Popular Cake Tutorial Channels

These channels have gained a massive following for their creative and easy-to-follow cake decorating tutorials, making them perfect for beginners and professionals alike.

1. Rosanna Pansino

Rosanna Pansino is a well-known YouTube personality, best known for her baking and cooking tutorials. Her channel features a wide range of cake decorating tutorials, from simple buttercream cakes to elaborate fondant creations. Her step-by-step instructions make it easy for even beginners to create beautiful cakes.

Sample tutorial video: How to Make a Unicorn Cake

2. My Cupcake Addiction

My Cupcake Addiction is a channel run by Elise Strachan, who is known for her creative and unique cake designs. Her tutorials are easy to follow, and she often uses everyday kitchen items to create her decorations. Her channel is perfect for those who want to create show-stopping cakes without spending a lot of money on expensive tools and materials.

Sample tutorial video: How to Make a Gravity-Defying Cake

3. How To Cake It

With over 5 million subscribers, How To Cake It is one of the most popular cake decorating channels on YouTube. Host Yolanda Gampp is known for her fun and creative cake designs, which often feature realistic-looking fruits and other objects. Her tutorials are easy to follow, and she provides helpful tips and tricks along the way.

Sample tutorial video: How to Make a Giant Cheeseburger Cake

4. Cake Style

Cake Style is run by a team of expert cake decorators, who share their tips and techniques for creating beautiful cakes. Their tutorials range from simple buttercream cakes to more advanced fondant designs. They also offer helpful advice on selecting the right tools and materials for cake decorating.

Sample tutorial video: How to Make a Floral Buttercream Cake

5. Sugar Geek Show

Sugar Geek Show is run by Liz Marek, a professional cake decorator and instructor. Her tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from basic cake decorating techniques to more advanced fondant designs. She also provides helpful advice on running a successful cake decorating business.

Sample tutorial video: How to Make a Gravity-Defying Beer Mug Cake

Cake Decorating Tools and Materials for Beginners

Before you start decorating your cakes, it's important to have the right tools and materials. Here are some essential items you'll need:

Cake pans
Cake boards
Baking sheets
Spatulas
Piping bags and tips
Fondant smoother
Rolling pin
Food coloring
Edible decorations (e.g. sprinkles, pearls, flowers)

These items can be found at most craft stores or online. Be sure to shop around for the best deals and quality products.

Basic Cake Decorating Techniques

Once you have your tools and materials ready, it's time to start decorating! Here are the basic steps for icing a cake:

Prepare your cake by trimming the top to make it level.
Apply a thin layer of icing (also known as crumb coating) to the entire cake.
Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
Apply a thick layer of icing to the cake, starting with the top and then moving on to the sides.
Smooth out the icing using a spatula or fondant smoother.

For best results, use a turntable to help you rotate the cake as you decorate it. You can also use different piping tips to create different designs and textures.

Decorating with Fondant

Fondant is a versatile icing that can be used to cover cakes or create decorative elements. Here are the basic steps for covering a cake with fondant:

Prepare your cake by trimming the top to make it level.
Apply a thin layer of buttercream icing to the entire cake, to help the fondant stick.
Dust your work surface with cornstarch or powdered sugar to prevent the fondant from sticking.
Roll out the fondant to the desired thickness, and carefully drape it over the cake.
Smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles using a fondant smoother.
Trim off any excess fondant using a sharp knife or fondant cutter.

You can also use fondant to create decorative elements like flowers, characters, or shapes. Just roll out the fondant and cut it into the desired shape using cookie cutters or a sharp knife.

Buttercream Cake Decorating Techniques

Buttercream is a type of icing made from butter, sugar, and milk or cream. It can be used to create a variety of decorative elements, including flowers, borders, and lettering. Here are the basic steps for piping buttercream decorations:

Prepare your icing by mixing together butter, powdered sugar, and milk or cream.
Fill a piping bag with the desired tip (e.g. star tip for flowers).
Hold the piping bag at a 90-degree angle to the cake, and gently squeeze the bag to create the desired shape.
Release the pressure on the bag, and pull it away from the cake to create a clean edge.

You can also use different tips and techniques to create different designs and textures. For example, you can use a round tip to create dots, or a leaf tip to create a ruffle effect.

Decorating Themed Cakes

If you're making a cake for a specific occasion or event, it's important to choose a theme and design your cake accordingly. Here are some tips for selecting a theme and designing a cake based on it:

Choose a theme that is appropriate for the occasion (e.g. a wedding, birthday, or holiday).
Research different cake designs and decorations that fit the theme.
Select a color palette that complements the theme.
Think outside the box and come up with creative ways to incorporate the theme into your cake (e.g. using edible decorations or cake toppers).

With a little creativity, you can create a cake that is both beautiful and memorable.

Cake Toppers and Figurines

Cake toppers and figurines are a fun and easy way to add a personalized touch to your cake. Here are some different types of toppers and figurines you can use:

Fondant or gum paste figurines
Edible image cake toppers
Custom acrylic or wooden cake toppers
Fresh flowers or fruit

With a little practice, you can create your own custom toppers and figurines using fondant or gum paste. Check out some of the tutorials on the popular cake tutorial channels for inspiration and tips.

Troubleshooting Common Cake Decorating Problems

Even the most experienced cake decorator runs into problems from time to time. Here are some common cake decorating mistakes and how to fix them:

Cracks or bulges in the fondant: Knead the fondant until it becomes pliable, and roll it out thinly. Smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles using a fondant smoother.
Uneven icing: Use a turntable to help you rotate the cake as you decorate it. Apply a thin layer of icing (also known as crumb coating) to the cake before adding the final layer.
Colors bleeding or running: Make sure your icing or fondant is the right consistency before adding color. Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to prevent bleeding.

By anticipating these common problems and being prepared to fix them, you can ensure that your cake decorating projects go smoothly.

Conclusion

Easy to follow instructions are essential to creating beautiful and professional-looking cakes. The top 5 popular cake tutorial channels we've introduced in this article are a great resource for both beginners and experienced cake decorators. With a little practice and the right tools and materials, you can create stunning cakes that will impress your friends and family.