Learn how to decorate a cake for the first time with this beginner-friendly step-by-step guide! These tips are one of the first skills I teach beginners in my cake decorating classes because it gives you the foundational techniques you need to make your first cake look amazing. In this guide I'll walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right cake recipes and frostings to finishing your cake with professional-looking decorations.
Quick Glance: How To Decorate A Cake
- Name: How To Decorate A Cake (Beginners Guide)
- Why You'll Love It: Step-by-step instructions from baking, stacking, frosting, and easy ways to decorate a cake.
- Time and Difficulty: Varies
- Main Ingredients: Cake, buttercream
- Method: Bake, cool, level, fill, frost, decorate!
- Texture and Flavor: Moist and delicious!
- Quick Tip: Always work with cakes that are completely cool.
Jump to:
- Quick Glance: How To Decorate A Cake
- Cake Decorating Tools For Beginners
- Choose Your Cake Recipe
- Choose Your Frosting
- How To Decorate A Cake Step-By-Step
- How To Decorate A Cake Video Tutorial
- Cake Decorating Ideas For Beginners
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Final Thoughts
- Top FAQs For Decorating A Cake
- More Cake Tutorials To Try
- Ready To Master Cake Decorating?
If you've ever been tasked to make a birthday cake, a wedding cake, or just want to challenge yourself with making your first decorated cake, this blog post will tell you everything you need to know.
I was inspired to make this post because my daughter's teacher approached me one day, asking if I had any tips on how to decorate a cake for the first time. It was her Mother's birthday, and she had never baked or decorated a cake but had her heart set on making one.
So here is my complete guide on how to make a cake for the very first time from start to finish! Even if you've never made a cake before, this will clear it all up for you. I recommend you read through this entire post first before you start baking so you can be sure to have all your tools and ingredients ready to go.
Cake Decorating Tools For Beginners
If you're just getting started, these are my favorite cake decorating tools for beginners that make decorating much easier. You don't need everything on this list, but if you get serious, it's a good list to follow. Below are the absolute MUSTS to have before you decorate your first cake, and where to get them.
- Offset spatula - You don't need two sizes, you could get away with just the small one really but I do use both sizes on every cake. The offset spatula is a must so that you don't actually get your fingers in the buttercream as you're smoothing out your layers of buttercream. You can buy them at most grocery or even online.
- Serrated knife - A serrated knife is also known as a bread knife. As long as it has those little teeth, it will work just fine for cutting the tops off your cakes to make them nice and flat. You probably already have this knife in your kitchen. If you're nervous to level your cakes yourself, you can also use a cake leveler.
- Turn Table - You're definitely going to want a turntable. It just makes frosting the cake so so much easier. My first turntable was the little plastic one from Michaels, and I used my 40% off coupon to buy it. You can also use a lazy susan if you have one with a flat top.
- Piping Bag - I love me some disposable piping bags. If you don't have any or can't find any, you can use a ziplock bag in a pinch with the tip cut off.
- Piping Tip - Don't forget a piping tip if you want to pipe some pretty rosettes on the top of the cake! My favorite tip is a 2F, but any star tip will do, like a Wilton 1M.
You can find my full list of recommended cake decorating tools here.
BONUS TIP: Bake your cakes a day in advance so they are completely cool by the time you decorate your cake. Cool cakes are much easier to handle than warm cakes.
Choose Your Cake Recipe
There are a lot of cake recipes you could choose from, but if you're intimidated by baking, I would recommend one of the following recipes. They are easy to mix and bake up beautifully. I also highly recommend a good cake pan with straight edges if you don't have one. Most of my cake recipes are made to make three 8" cake layers. Three layers generally look better than two layers, but it's not necessary!
If you only have two cake pans (which a lot of us do), then no worries. Just bake your cake layers and then leave your cake batter in the fridge until you're ready to bake it.
Choose Your Frosting
You can use frosting for filling and for going on the outside of your cake. My favorite frosting to use is my easy buttercream recipe. It's smooth, easy to make, and easy to use. Of course, you can use any kind of frosting you want, but just keep in mind some frostings, like whipped cream maybe be more difficult to use as a beginner.
How To Decorate A Cake Step-By-Step
After you bake your cakes and let them cool, it's time to start stacking and preparing to decorate! Watch my video on how to decorate a cake for beginners if you learn better by watching.
- If your cake layer has a dome (some do, some don't) then you will want to trim that off so that your cake layers stack up nice and flat. You can use your serrated knife or you can use a cake leveler. I also like to trim the brown edges off the sides and bottom but it's not necessary!
- Place your first leveled cake layer onto your cake board or your cake platter. Add some frosting on top and spread it flat with your offset spatula. Repeat this process with the second layer of cake, and finally put the final layer of cake on top.
If you're making a taller cake, you may want to learn how to stack cakes safely so your layers stay stable.
BONUS TIP: If you want to add a filling like lemon curd, strawberry reduction filling, or raspberry filling, you will have to make a dam of buttercream first in between the layers so the filling doesn't ooze out. Remember not to make the filling too thick.
- Add a thin layer of buttercream all over the cake. This is called the crumbcoat because it seals in all the loose crumbs. This should be thin and it does not have to be neat and tidy. The final layer of buttercream will be the pretty one. Then place the crumb-coated cake into the fridge for at least 15 minutes or until the frosting feels firm.
- Now it's time for the final coat of buttercream. Add another layer of frosting and use the bench scraper and the offset spatula (see the video) to get everything nice and smooth.
- One of the easiest ways to decorate a cake for beginners is to add a colorful drip! You can make a gold drip, a colored water ganache drip, or just a plain chocolate drip. The possibilities are endless.
Check out my how to make a drip cake tutorial for details.
- Adding some swirls of buttercream using your piping tips and adding some sprinkles to the side of the cake is a great way to finish off your cake! Other easy ways to decorate a cake are to add fresh flowers to the cake.
How To Decorate A Cake Video Tutorial
Cake Decorating Ideas For Beginners
Here are a few beginner-friendly cake decorating ideas:
• Edible Glitter
• Pressed Flowers
• Fresh fruit decorations
• Buttercream textures
• Naked Wedding Cake
• Dried Pineapple Flowers
• Simple buttercream borders
Each of these techniques can transform a simple frosted cake into a beautiful centerpiece. If you want to add more advanced decorations, learn how to pipe buttercream flowers or how to pipe buttercream decorations for a vintage cake.
BONUS TIP: Oftentimes, people will complain that a cake was dry when really it was just cold. Before slicing up your pretty cake to serve, make sure you leave it at room temperature for at least a few hours so the butter in the buttercream has time to soften.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When learning how to decorate a cake, beginners often run into a few common problems.
• Decorating a warm cake
• Using buttercream that is too soft
• Skipping the crumb coat
• Not leveling cake layers
• Trying complicated designs too early
Avoiding these mistakes will make decorating much easier.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to decorate a cake may seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics of stacking, frosting, and simple decorations, it becomes much easier. Start with simple designs and practice your smoothing and piping techniques. Before long, you'll be decorating cakes that look just as good as they taste.
Top FAQs For Decorating A Cake
Mix it on low speed with a paddle attachment for 5-10 minutes, or manually stir it vigorously against the side of the bowl with a spatula. Other effective methods include microwaving a small portion of the icing for 5-10 seconds, mixing it back in. You can also use an immersion blender.
Transport a decorated cake safely by chilling it until firm, placing it on a flat, non-slip surface (like the floorboard or a rubber mat) in a cool car, and using a properly sized, snug box. Keep the car air conditioning on high, and drive slowly to avoid sudden stops.
To fix soft or runny buttercream, chill it in the refrigerator for 10-20 minutes to firm up the butter, then re-whip it to restore a fluffy texture.
It depends on the buttercream. If it's an egg white and butter-based buttercream like my easy buttercream, it's probably too cold. Remove about 1 cup of the buttercream and microwave it until it's barely melted. Add it back in and mix until soft, smooth, and fluffy.
If it's a powdered sugar and butter-based buttercream like my American buttercream, then add in 1-2 Tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, milk, or boiling water, and continue mixing until it's nice and soft.
The best way to color buttercream is to add gel food coloring to the buttercream and then mix it in. Avoid using liquid food coloring unless you plan on making very light colors. For darker colors, you can use an immersion blender, which will help darken the colors. The color will also deepen overnight.
There are many ways to make buttercream flowers, but this is an easy tutorial on how to make buttercream flowers for beginners.
Stacking a cake requires cake boards and cake supports like wooden dowels or plastic straws so that the top tier doesn't collapse into the bottom tier. Here is a tutorial on how to stack cakes safely.
More Cake Tutorials To Try
- Cake Decorating Tips
- Cake Decorating Basics: How to Cut Cakes
- Cake Decorating Basics: Stacking Cakes With Straws
- Cake Decorating Basics: Covering a Cake in Fondant
- Cake Decorating Basics: Smooth Final Coat of Buttercream
- Cake Decorating Basics: Avoiding Cake Blowouts
- Cake Decorating Basics: Filling and Crumb Coating
- Cake Decorating Basics: Airless Space Buttercream
Ready To Master Cake Decorating?
Join Sugar Geek University and learn professional techniques through detailed cake decorating courses, tutorials, and real kitchen demonstrations by
award-winning cake decorator, Liz Marek.
Patricia Dixon says
Well defined clear instructions easy to follow
M Bryan says
In Florida buttercream melts unless crisco is added. I call it Florida Buttercream. Would adding crisco work with your buttercream recipe? Would love to try it.
Elizabeth Marek says
You can replace some or all of the butter with crisco if you need to but it won't have as much flavor so you may want to increase the vanilla
Kourtney says
Would this work the same with a lemon box cake? Thanks so much for posting this with such detail. It’s my first time making a cake like this and I’m excited to try using your instructions!
Elizabeth Marek says
Yes you sure can, I would add a little extra lemon zest for a brighter yummier lemon flavor
Tamara says
Hi, how do I store my frosted cake for the next day?
Sugar Geek Show says
Hi! You can refrigerate it overnight, and then make sure to take it out a few hours before serving. Cake and buttercream taste best at room temperature.
Christie says
Great! Thanks so much for the quick response!
Christie says
Hello! Could you give an estimate of the amount of sprinkles by volume needed? I just ordered the half cup amount of fancy sprinkles, but I’m worried I’ll be short.
Elizabeth Marek says
I think 1/2 cup would be enough
Heather Allen says
Hi! Why did you add a layer of strawberry filling first then buttercream? How do you make the strawberry filling?
Sugar Geek Show says
Hi! It's just to add a bit more strawberry flavor to the cake, I like to blend the filling with the buttercream sometimes to make it firmer and prevent it from squishing out the sides of the cake. Here's the recipe: https://sugargeekshow.com/strawberry-puree/
Alexis Stone says
Thank you for this tutorial! I made my son’s smash cake and this was exactly what we needed. He’s allergic to eggs so I used my own recipes but the step-by-step, including supplies needed, as so helpful!
Katie says
I am LOVING this recipe!! Such a great balance between baking a cake from scratch and just using a box. Your directions are so clear. The internet is overwhelming when looking for a recipe but when I found yours it was obvious you are an expert at your craft. Cakes are in the oven now..working on the buttercream. So fun. Thank you for all the time and energy you put into this post. Cant wait to taste it and share your site with others.
Jennifer says
Hi there! My cakes are currently in the oven with 15 minutes left. I followed the recipe word for word and I used the 3, 6X2 round pans .. they are overflowing in the oven. Any ideas on what I did wrong? I separated the egg whites and I did the 1 cup water . Help!
Elizabeth Marek says
I dont think you did anything wrong. It could be the altitude you are at. Just add a little less batter to the pan next time or use 8" pans and see if it makes a difference for you.
Regina T Kunschman says
Hi again! Can you tell that I am a Type A? Early in the directions in a paragraph you mention covering the cake board... What do I cover it with? Just curious... If I wanted to make a wedding cake with different sized layers would I keep a cake board under each set of layers when they're permanently stacked? Thanks again for your time and patience with me...
Mrinalini Dutta says
Hi im basically making a cake for mums birthday tomorrow and my cake is in the fridge overnight. I wanted to know after I make the frosting tomorrow and after filling, stacking and crumb coating the cake while it's in the fridge for cooling do I need to store the buttercream piping bags also in the fridge?
Elizabeth Marek says
No you dont have to put the piping bags in the fridge. The cooling of the cake is just to make smoothing the buttercream easier. Once the cake is decorated you don't need to keep it in the fridge 🙂 Cold cake doesnt taste that great
Rebecca Settles says
What do you use to store the finished cake in so it doesn’t dry out in the refrigerator?
Elizabeth Marek says
The buttercream seals in the moisture of the cake. You do not need any special container.