How to Decorate Cakes With Cookie Cutters

If you're looking for a quick and simple way to add some pizazz to a homemade cake, using cookie cutters is one way to use templates to create clean, simple shapes. And the best part is, most people have the necessary tools in their kitchen already.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Select a theme. Chances are you already know what you are making the cake for, whether it is a birthday, anniversary or other event. If not, think about the shapes and images you might want on your cake.
2. Purchase cookie cutters, if you don't have the necessary shapes already. Cookie cutters often come in packages with like decorations. Some are simple shapes, like snowflakes or hearts, and the cookie cutters are different sizes. Others come with different shapes that relate to the same theme, like a party or Christmas. You can also purchase cookie cutters individually.
3. Start with a clean surface. In this case, the clean surface is your cake. When your cake is cool, transfer it out of the baking pan and on to a serving platter, if you wish.
4. Apply a "base coat." This is going to be a thin layer of frosting that will serve as a background color. You can skip this step if you plan on covering your cake entirely with cookie-cutter shapes.
5. Put a cookie cutter where you want the design on the cake to be and press down gently.
6. Fill the inside of the cookie cutter with frosting, then gently remove the cookie cutter from the cake. Make sure you are careful, and pull the cookie cutter straight up.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a very specific idea of what you want the finished product to look like, try sketching out a drawing before working with frosting. This way, you can experiment with shape placement and overlapping.
• Dip the end of your cookie cutters in flour before placing them in the cake. This will allow you to remove them with ease.
• For a more professional look, clean the cookie cutters between each use. This will prevent frosting from dropping where you don't want it and will help keep the edges cleaner.
• Don't try to put your cake on another dish after it's decorated.