How to Decorate a Polka Dot Cake

Polka dots are not only a fashion statement. Adding chocolate polka dots to a cake will make it the star of the show.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• baked and iced cake
• chocolate wafers in your choice of colors
• pastry bag
• waxed paper

1. Prepare the work area by laying a large piece of wax paper on a flat surface. Get the pastry bag out and ready to fill.

2. Melt the chocolate wafers by placing them in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time. Make sure not to overheat the chocolate.

3. Pour the melted chocolate in a pastry bag. Snip off just the tip of the bag. A hole that is too large will make it impossible to do small dots. Twist the top of the bag so the chocolate doesn't seep out the top.

4. Hold the tip of the bag just above the wax paper. Squeeze gently as you hold the bag steady. Allow the chocolate to form a circle of the desired size. Release pressure and pull the pastry bag away from the circle. Repeat to make as many dots as desired.

5. Allow the dots to cool until they are set. Place them on the iced cake in any pattern desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Try making dots of different sizes and colors to make the cake more interesting.
• Don't worry if there is a slight point or bump on top of your dot. The side that is down on the waxed paper will be smooth and can be the side that faces out on the cake.
• Get creative with your dot placement. Make a pattern with the dots or place them randomly on the cake.
• Carry the theme to the cake board by trimming it with a polka dot ribbon. You can also cover the cake board with fondant and add fondant circles to it.
• Make sure the chocolate isn't too hot or too cool. If it's too hot it will run out of the bag and will be difficult to control. Let it cool slightly if this happens. If it isn't melted enough the chocolate won't spread well.

[ginafur]

on 1/17/2009 Oh, this is such a cute cake. Thanks for the great tips. 5*