If you’ve looked at an amazing sugarpaste or buttercream cake creation and wondered how on earth you could replicate it for a special occasion, perhaps this method of cake decorating might be more up your alley. British woman Natasha Collins is apparently well known in the cake-decorating community as the expert in cake painting. She demonstrates how to create The Painted Cake in her new book. The how-to guides take you through how to ‘transform cakes, cookies and cupcakes into edible works of art’.
I’m liking
It’s pretty unique! I had actually never seen anything like this before. The book takes you right through the basics of the kit you would need to produce these painted baked goods, and then step-by-step through 30 projects to practice your new talent.
If you’re an artist and want to learn to paint on a cake, then this book is pretty thorough with instructions for baking and constructing, covering the cake in fondant and setting about the task of painting designs upon the edible surface.
Things that made me go hmmmm
The style of cake decorating at times looks pretty impressive (I really like the bunting cake and the woodland cake!) but to be honest, on the whole it doesn’t appear that modern to me. It’s a sort of a doilies and teacakes method, with lots of floral scenes, and it will really suit some people but it’s not really for me.
The conclusion
Cake decorators who are experienced and looking for a new skill will particularly enjoy what The Painted Cake has to offer. Also, artists who might have previously considered cake decorating outside of their skill base will be pleasantly surprised at what they can make for special occasions for their friends and family, utilising the projects in this book.
