Decorating a cake at home is easier than it looks, and you don't need experience or a lot of tools. A piping bag, some sprinkles and a simple idea are enough. Here are 7 ideas that work even on your first try, with tips to keep the result tidy.
No cake to hand? Our DIY cake kit arrives white and ready, with piping bags, pearls and sprinkles, so you can try these straight away.
Before you start
- Practise on a plate: pipe a few lines and dots to get a feel for the pressure.
- Squeeze gently and evenly: the lighter the pressure, the finer the line.
- Hold the bag from the top and squeeze from there, guiding the tip with your other hand.
- Start with the edge: a neat border makes the whole cake look finished.
7 easy ideas
1. Dotted border
Squeeze a dot, lift, and repeat around the edge. Alternate two colours for a nicer look. It's the easiest idea here, and great for kids.
2. A name
Mark the word lightly with a toothpick, then trace it with the bag. Use a dark colour like black or red and go slowly. For a long name, start from the middle and work outwards.
3. Dot flowers
Five dots in a circle with a different colour in the middle makes a flower. Repeat in different sizes around the cake.
4. Rainbow
Pipe arcs one above the other in your colours, with white dots underneath as a cloud.
5. Hearts
Pipe two dots side by side and drag down gently from below them. You get small hearts, perfect for anniversaries and gifts.
6. Sprinkle ring
Pipe a circle near the edge and scatter sprinkles or pearls on it right away. It looks like a frame and takes no drawing skill. Learn more in our guide to sprinkles for cake decorating.
7. Messy lines
Zigzag the bag across the cake in different colours and keep it random. The mess is the design.
Common mistakes and fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| The line is too thick | Squeeze less and move a little faster |
| The line keeps breaking | Move more slowly and keep the pressure steady |
| You got a letter wrong | Gently lift it off with a spoon, or turn it into a drawing |
| Too many colours | Stick to two or three on a small cake |
Ideas by occasion
- Birthday: the name in the middle, a two-colour dotted border and sprinkles around the edge.
- Kids' party: each child decorates a cup. Here's a full kids' cake decorating party plan.
- Graduation: black, white and yellow, with the graduation year.
- Gift: small hearts and a short message.
Rather not decorate it yourself?
That's fine too. With Design Your Cake you choose the shape and design and the Avon team makes it. If you prefer a brush, try Paint Your Cake.
FAQ
What do I need to decorate a cake at home?
A cream-covered cake, a piping bag or two, and sprinkles or pearls if you like. All of it comes ready in our DIY cake kit.
Can I decorate a cake with no experience?
Yes. Start with dots and sprinkles, which take no drawing skill.
How do I write neatly on a cake?
Mark the word lightly with a toothpick, then trace it slowly with steady pressure.
How many colours should I use?
Two or three are enough for a small cake, and six suit a 6-inch or 8-inch.
When do I add sprinkles?
Right after piping, so they stick to the cream.
Ready to try?Order your DIY cake kit and start your first design.
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