Show Stoppers: Taking Your Baking Creations Up a Notch

I’ve been taking a lot of pictures of food.  As I put a lens between myself and my baking creations I realized something.  They began to look boring!  So here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned to take your baking creations from after thought to center stage:

1. Invest in a few basic decorating tools.  Some of the classics are the cheapest and the best!  A cake leveler if you want to make a layered cake (who doesn’t love extra frosting between layers?) and some basic frosting decorating tips are affordable and give your creation little something extra.

2. Take it up a level.  Cake stands, and platters elevate your cake and command attention.  Martini glasses, jam  Can’t get a cake stand right now?  Turn a platter upside down and put a platter on top of it.

3.  Color!   Baked goods all tend to be various shades of brown – mix it up by adding a touch of color here and there.  Candy, sprinkles, and frosting can add a little color to liven up any dessert.

4. Accent  with ingredients.  Does your cake have walnuts?  Put some on the side.  Orange?  Put some candied oranges around it to add flair and flavor.

5. Give it texture.  A few extra swirls in the frosting or dragging a comb through the frosting on your dessert will make your treat pop.

6. Add some extra bling.  Cute cupcake liners, little flags on toothpicks go a long way in adding drama.  Anyone can throw cupcakes on a platter, but placing a few choice accouterments screams “I am tempting and yummy!”

I’ll continue to add a few hints and tips as I learn them – may your cake look as good as it tastes!