"How To" Tuesdays

As baking can be a challenging task for some, there are aspects of baking that even the advanced chef needs help in. From here on out Tuesdays will devoted to explanations, steps-by-step instructions, and videos on how to refine several techniques.

This Tuesday we will learn one of the multiple ways one can pipe icing onto cupcakes or other pastries.

As seen in the YouTube video only the star tip was shown. There are a variety tips that can be used to achieve a numerous amount of looks.  The techniques seen in the video can be used for the fall season to create Halloween and Thanksgiving themed desserts.

Google images: piping tips

The picture to the left shows a few of the many  piping tips and the designs they make with icing. With these tips you can make designs that look like flowers, a basket weave, and leaves. The possibilities are endless as to what kind of creative looks are at your disposal when you have these tips.

As explained by a professional pastry chef piping can be done by using various techniques. Some of the most important steps to keep in mind when piping is control, pressure, and consistency.

 When you're piping it's important to have the right amount of  product in your pastry bag which will enable you to have more control over the bag when designing your creations. Another thing to keep in mind when piping is control and such control comes with practice.

 It is essential when piping to have a steady hand which will give you control over the pastry bag. It's also important to have consistency when piping so that everything comes out the same size and lines are uniform. 

The more intricate the design the more steady of a hand you will want as well as consistency, which all these essential elements to piping will come with practice and patience. 

Another professional in this area is cakejournal.com where you can find a variety of recipes and tutorials for a wide range of decadent pastries.

Picture of the Day

image credit: eugeniusD80

Precision is key when working with delicate designs. This picture has inspired me because there is so much detail captured in this scene. If you direct your focus to the building you will notice how symmetrical it is. The many levels shows just how structurally sound the building is. 

Working with and decorating cupcakes can be equally challenging when it comes to design. Having ideas is one thing, but how you execute them is another. You may want to add a chocolate piece to the cupcake, but in order to do that you have to make sure the design of it will hold up.

Now direct your attention in the photograph to the landscape surrounding the beautiful building. In terms of cupcakes the landscape would be equivalent to the various types of icing, fondant, and gum paste. The consistency of your decorating mediums can make or break the overall outcome of your creation. Icing that is too runny will not hold up if, for instance, you wanted to pipe a rose as a topper. Knowing that gum paste is more stable than fondant helps you to pick the medium in which you would use cut-out shapes as designs.

Overall the photograph has inspired me to be that much more precise with decorating cupcakes and also challenges my skill level. It also makes me what to push the limit as to what kind of toppers can be created and decorated. Maybe my next task will include incorporating the silhouette of the building out of molding chocolate. Anyone with suggestions on unique designs and/or flavors for cupcakes is more than welcome to comment below. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks.

Why Cupcakes?

As the sister of a baking and pastries chef I've become very interested in the different types of desserts she made, especially cupcakes. Since she went to school in this area I've come to learn a lot of the techniques it takes to made a very elegant cupcake. The recipes alone are pretty simple, but when it comes to decorating the cupcake, that's when the major skills are required.

The patience it takes to execute a classy cupcake is a major factor. You need to know what you want to create and then have a plan as to how you're going to execute that plan. Depending on the types of tools that are available to you, will depend on how elegant your cupcakes will turn out. However, the more you practice your techniques the more the easier it will become to create a classy cupcake.

Knowing that there are various products out there that are at everyone's disposal better allows me to distinguish which products will set my work apart from the apprentice to the executive chef. The knowledge base of the different types of utensils, pans, and accessories also allows my work to be distinguished from other cupcake competitors.

Another essential technique used to create a masterpiece would include piping. Different piping tips and bags help you create a variety of looks and designs you desire your cupcakes to have.

My achieving points would be to inform advanced bakers that there are multiple recipes, techniques, and products available to enhance the quality and overall design of their work setting them apart or satisfying their desire to be more creative when baking cupcakes.

For all the advances bakes out there feel free to comment suggestions, questions, and ideas for new posts on this blog. Thanks for reading.