reading: 7 min
The best ideas for decorating with cream
Cream Decorations: Basic Tools and Techniques
Pastry isn’t just about taste, but also creativity and aesthetics . Cake design, the art of decorating cakes, pastries, and sweets, has become very popular in recent years, and more and more people are experimenting with piping bags and various tools to create beautiful cakes for special occasions . What are the most popular and ideal techniques for decorating our creations?
Sugar paste allows you to create elaborate decorations and personalize your cake with your favorite theme, but the flavor suffers. In fact, especially in large quantities, it’s decidedly cloying .
The best alternative remains the most classic: whipped cream . This popular and easy-to-prepare ingredient allows us to create elegant decorations for our desserts, whether they’re spoon desserts for a romantic Valentine’s Day or birthday cakes for children ‘s parties.
What do you need to make whipped cream decorations ? Of all the kitchen utensils, a piping bag is definitely essential. If you don’t have one, you can use disposable piping bags, readily available in rolls and in various sizes. Also, get nozzles of different shapes and sizes, such as a star-shaped one, so you can create varied effects. Steel nozzles are always preferable to plastic ones, and remember to always use the piping bag with the nozzle attached. Depending on the type of decoration you want to create, you can also use a spatula and a cake turntable, or other ingredients like fruit , chocolate chips, or sprinkles.
How to make curls, roses, and parallel lines with cream
Let’s start with the basics of whipped cream decorations. Curls, roses, and lines are quick effects to create but guaranteed to work! For curls, simply place the cream in a piping bag with a plain or star tip and pipe small swirls. For roses, use a star tip and use a spiral motion from the inside out.
And what if you want the cream to be just the base of your decoration? Cover the surface of the cake (just the top or the edges, as you prefer) with cream using a spatula to create a deliciously smooth topping on which you can add your favorite decorations : strawberries and berries, colored sprinkles, or wafer paper flowers.
A fluted nozzle, on the other hand, will allow us to obtain the so-called basket decoration , very elegant and timeless. Create horizontal strips of cream and then intersect them with parallel vertical strips following a woven pattern .
And what if you want the cream to be just the base of your decoration? Cover the surface of the cake (just the top or the edges, as you prefer) with cream using a spatula to create a deliciously smooth topping on which you can add your favorite decorations : strawberries and berries, colored sprinkles, or wafer paper flowers.
A fluted nozzle, on the other hand, will allow us to obtain the so-called basket decoration , very elegant and timeless. Create horizontal strips of cream and then intersect them with parallel vertical strips following a woven pattern .
How to use food coloring for whipped cream
To make your cake even more unique and personalized , you can color the whipped cream to create fun and original decorations. It’s super easy to do: find out how!
To create your colorful decorations, simply add your favorite food coloring to the whipped cream. Remember that the colors you can achieve with cream are always more subtle than those of other decorations, such as fondant . This is because you need to be very careful not to alter the flavor and consistency of the cream, which is a very delicate product. There are different types of coloring:
Liquid food coloring : This type of food coloring generally produces a more subtle effect than other types. It’s best to add it a drop at a time , as it may alter the consistency of the cream.
Powdered food coloring: These are water-soluble, naturally extracted powders for food use. They must be mixed with a little water before use to achieve attractive shades of color.
Spray food coloring: Convenient and versatile, spray food colorings are applied directly to whipped cream . Shake well before use and hold about 30 cm away: you’ll get a bright, vivid color ! These food colorings are generally not suitable for whipped cream, but rather for cakes decorated with cream and chocolate ganache.
Gel food coloring: This type of food coloring should be added to the whipped cream, stirring gently and slowly, until a strong, even color is achieved. In this case, too, it is best to dissolve it in a small amount of water.
Once you’ve colored the cream, proceed to decorate your desserts following the tips above. Colored cream is perfect for filling muffins and sponge cakes, as well as for decorating cupcakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, and cookies. In short: there’s no limit to your imagination !
What if you want a multicolored effect? Divide the cream (whipped or unwhipped, depending on the coloring used) into several bowls and add different colors to each . Then, arm yourself with patience and fill the piping bag with one colored preparation at a time, creating your decorations as you go, remembering to rinse the utensils used before moving on to the next color.
Cream Decorations: Mistakes to Avoid
But before you grab your kitchen utensils and start decorating your dream cake, there are a few more things you need to know! There are some very common and often overlooked mistakes that could jeopardize the success of your project. Let's look at them together to learn how to avoid them.
Don't whip the cream well
Perfect whipping is the starting point for decorating our desserts with whipped cream. If the cream deflates , collapses, or isn’t the right consistency, we risk being in trouble! To whip cream properly, the secret is to use both liquid cream and cold tools: so keep everything in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before starting. Whether you whip by hand, with a whisk, or with an electric mixer, making sure the ingredients, bowl, and tools are at the right temperature is essential.
Timing is everything
The final tip for a perfectly decorated cake is to plan your timing carefully . Starting with the base of the cake, ideally cover it with a layer of cream and let it set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours . Then, add your favorite decorations just before serving : this way, you’ll be sure the roses, tufts, and all the other decorations will look perfect.
Beware of natural dyes
Natural colorings like coffee, saffron, cocoa, and strawberries are perfect for adding color to your cream in the most authentic way possible, but you need to be careful not to alter the flavor and whipping properties of the cream . Unlike artificial food colorings , these ingredients have their own flavor (sometimes very intense, like saffron!) that could alter or even cover the whipped cream. So be careful with dosages and combinations .
Are you ready to make amazing cakes?
Even the eye wants its part, and this is certainly true in the world of pastry ! If you can’t wait to try your hand at cake design by following our tips for making an Instagram-worthy cake , you need the right cream . Choosing quality raw materials is in fact the first and fundamental step to achieving a good result.
Since 1956, Arborea has been collecting the best fresh milk from Sardinia and processing it to bring healthy, natural products with an unmistakable flavor to your table. The Arborea cream line includes fresh cream , perfect for your desserts, UHT whipping cream , and cooking cream for experimenting with savory recipes as well. Our cream is a milk cream with a delicate flavor and delicious aroma that lends itself perfectly to delicious decorations . Discover our products and make your desserts unforgettable !
