I have decorated cakes for my kids the "old way" with icing.....
I would like to know how to get pictures, transfered on a cake, that is edible. You know, the same concept as iron on's>>>
Anyone know how to do that.. I sure would appreciate the help.
I have a few very special occassions that would make a personal cake like that be a wonderful surprise...????
However if you have a simple saying or picture, try this:
You need to make a copy of the picture you are making. THen you needs to copy it or transfer it to waxed paper the opposite way you wish to have it appear (EXAMPLE: if wording, the wording needs to be backwards, etc). That way when you flip over on cake it will appear right. To achieve this I hold the picture up to glass and trace the back of paper, this is what you put your waxed paper on. Then outline with thinned icing and tube #1. Make sure your icing is dry to touch. Practice makes it easier.
When the icing is dry, flip it over onto the frosted cake (You may want to freeze it a bit to harden the frosting). Then you can fill in the pictures/writing with other colors of frosting.
PICTURE TRANSFER
How to make a wax paper stencil for easy picture transfer onto cakes
Styrofoam approximately 10x14x1-inches
Corsage pin
Wax paper
Nylon footie (yes, as in women’s hosery)
Hershey’s Powdered Cocoa
PREPARE COCOA 'PUFF'
1. Figure 1 Cut both ends off the nylon footie.
2. Figure 2 Stuff the footie with cocoa. Draw up both ends and tie securely. Store the 'puff' in a small cup for no mess.
PREPARE PICTURE (The wax paper will become your stencil).
1. Lay the picture on the styrofoam block as shown in. (This will work without styrofoam. It’s just easier if you use it).
2. Lay wax paper over the picture
3. With a corsage pin, punch holes all around the detail of the picture. Most of the time holes should be about 1/4-inch apart. If pattern is very detailed, holes may need to be closer. Take special care around facial features, etc.
TRANSFER PICTURE TO CAKE
1. Ice the cake smooth. Don’t use the paper towel to smooth unless the paper towel has no texture.
2. Wait about 5-10 minutes for the icing to crust enough so the wax paper stencil won’t stick to the icing. Test it on an edge. Place the stencil on the cake, as shown in Figure 4. Press lightly around the pin indentations to help keep the stencil in place. Place strips of wax paper all around the stencil so no cocoa gets on the icing where you don’t want it to go.
3. Using your cocoa powder puff, pat cocoa through the holes of the stencil. Be sure cocoa falls through all the detail. Lift off the stencil very carefully so that the cocoa doesn’t continue to fall through the holes where you don’t want it.
NOTE: You can keep the stencil and reuse it several times as long as you don’t wrinkle or smash it. Store it hanging on a nail in an out-of- the-way place.
METHODS TO DECORATE YOUR PICTURE
METHOD 1: Treat this as if you were decorating a character cake, only with smaller tips. Outline the picture with tip 3 or 4 deep color of icing appropriate to your design. Fill in tip 14 or16 or 18 stars, color of your choice. The size depends on how much detail there is in your picture.
METHOD 2: Using Piping Gel tinted in appropriate colors, outline the picture using tip 3 or 4, depending on just the effect you want. Immediately, using a flat brush (about 1/4-unch across bottom), draw the icing from the edge toward the center. Try to keep brushing in one direction. You can complete the picture all at once since Piping gel doesn’t bleed or run together.
METHOD 3: If you own an airbrush, you can outline the stencil marks with a writing tip 3 or 4 and fill in the color using your airbrush.
NOTES:
If Piping gel is too thick, you can add Karo Syrup to thin it to your preference. Wilton Piping gel is only available untinted. You must divide and color it. Place in small decorator bags with tip 1 or 2 to use. Otherbrands are available in handy tubes already tinted. Just snip off the end and you are ready to decorate.
Use smaller tips (or snip the Piping gel tip off very little). Piping gel comes out considerably thicker per tip opening than does icing.
PERMANENT STENCILS
You can make permanent stencils using Mylar and the melting tool. Mylar is a clear plastic sheet. It is not the same as sheet protectors.
You would find that when trying to melt the gaps of the stencil that sheet protector material strings very badly and may damage yourmelting tool. You will want to do this with your more popular ones. The proper weight Mylar and the melting tool are both availablefrom suppliers. Sugarcraft also carries replacement parts for the melting tool.
You would use permanent stencils just the same way as the wax paper ones.
EDIBLE IMAGE is a completely edible decoration for decorating all types of cakes. It is a moisture sensitive product made entirely of food materials. When placed on icing, it absorbs moisture and becomes soft, blending with the icing.
Edible Images must be stored in the enclosed sealed package. When not in use, always reseal the package. Important Note: In areas with high humidity and high temperature it is recommended to refrigerate or freeze Edible Images® prior to application.
Edible Images can also be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in their resealable bag and will stay pliable and easy to handle up to the date indicated on the bag.
A little experimentation will quickly acquaint you with Edible Images and how it works. If you have any problems or technical questions, call Sugarcraft.
HOW TO USE
1. When cake is iced, unseal package. Remove the Edible Image from the backing sheet by gently peeling the backing away. Removal is made easier by placing backing sheet on a table edge (with the image facing up) and rolling the backing sheet over the sharp edge of the table.
2. Lay Edible Image in the desired position on the cake. Gently smooth edges with finger tips if needed.
4. Edible Image should be placed on the icing as soon as possible after icing the cake. A fine mist of water may be applied prior to placing image if a crust had formed on the icing. (Using too much water may cause the colors to run).
5. The cake may be frozen after it is decorated with Edible Image.
NOTE: If you have difficulty removing the Edible Image from the paper backing, simply place in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on HIGH. Microwave temperatures vary, so you will need to experiment with the time needed.
You can do a search on the net or check your local craft store and cake shops for these neat items.
The other day I saw a graduation cake with the High School Sr.s actual Sr. picture on the cake. Edible picture of course. I was in cake decorating for15 years, but never had anyhting like that back then.. I don't do it pro anymore, but would love to find out more about doing something like that?????????????
My brother had one made for my parents 45th annv. in June. He had a picture of them cutting their wedding cake at their wedding 45 yrs. ago, It turned out great. He had it made at WalMart. I couldnt believe how good it looked even enlarged to fit the cake and it even tasted great. We have a super center with a great bakery, but they probally do it at any large bakery.
we have a bakery here that does that , but i was wanting to do it myself...... I know it has something to do with edible ink.. but wonder how it is transformed into an edible picture???
It has to be transfered onto the cake somehow..........It's gonna drive me nuts trying to figure out how... now if it was just food I could go in my kitchen and duplicate it...
Our bakery has a special computer that can print the picture directly on the cake or on blank edible image paper.
Another way is to wrap the picture or drawing with plastic wrap. Then trace your picture and color in with icing. After this, place the picture in the freezer until the icing is frozen. Flip the drawing onto your iced cake and peel the plastic wrap off. Smooth the drawing with a knife.
I hope this helps.
Flora Beth
We have a cake decorating supply store around here (in Virginia Beach) that will scan and print the edible image for a fee. I imagine someone must be offering the service online. They actually have an inkjet printer that uses special cartridges with food coloring. Of course, its not something you'd want to get to do one or two cakes and is probably pricey.
I've done text and cartoons with rice paper (also available at cake decorating stores). They also have cake decal "blanks" that you draw on with food coloring pens or special crayons. I preferred the pens. These were so easy even my kindergartener was able to do it. I guess you could use it for logos, mascots, etc. too.
