As the sunny days of summer arrive, it’s time to infuse your summer cake decorating creations with vibrant colours and refreshing designs. Summer-themed cakes can be a delightful centrepiece for picnics, barbecues, and other warm-weather celebrations.
Summer is always the most popular time of year for Wedding cakes. CakeFlix have a huge range of styles and designs covering all skill levels and taught by Paul Bradford and the world’s top cake artists. Check out the Wedding cakes Library.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, we’ve gathered some summer cake-decorating tips and techniques to help you create stunning treats that embody the spirit of the season.
Embrace the Power of Colour
Chocolate mini-wraps tutorial
Summer is all about bright and lively colours. Incorporate shades like sunny yellow, ocean blue, vibrant orange, and lush green into your cake designs. Use gel food colouring to tint your frosting and create an eye-catching palette that captures the essence of summer. If you want to know more about colour mixing and matching, check out this amazing tutorial by Natalie Porter called Adventures in Colour.
Fresh Fruits as Decorations
Take advantage of the abundance of fresh fruits during the summer months by using them as cake decorations. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and slices of citrus fruits can be arranged on top of cakes or used as garnishes. They not only add a pop of colour but also provide a refreshing taste to complement your cake flavours. Check out Paul Bradford’s Strawberry Delight tutorial design for a very simple way to use chocolate and fruit to create an edible delight. Alternatively the Chocolate min-wraps tutorial shown here.
TIP: If you are delivering a cake, always leave adding the fruits to the latest possible time.
Life’s a Beach tutorial
Beach-Themed Cakes
Nothing says summer like a beach-inspired cake. Create sandy beaches by covering the cake with crushed graham crackers or cookie crumbs. Add edible seashells made from chocolate or fondant. You can also include edible palm trees, beach umbrellas, and surfboards to complete the tropical vibe.
Ombre and Watercolour Effects
Achieve a visually stunning effect by incorporating ombre or watercolour techniques into your cake designs. Ombre involves blending different shades of colour from light to dark, creating a gradient effect. Watercolour techniques mimic the soft and dreamy appearance of watercolour paintings, adding an artistic touch to your cakes.
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Summer and ice cream go hand in hand. Create a whimsical twist on traditional cupcakes by baking them directly in ice cream cones. Decorate the cupcakes with frosting that resembles scoops of ice cream, and top them with colourful sprinkles or crushed nuts for added texture and flavour.
Tropical Flowers and Palm Leaves
Sunflower cake tutorial
Capture the tropical essence of summer by incorporating edible flowers and palm leaves into your cake designs. Use fondant or gum paste to create realistic-looking hibiscus, plumeria, or hibiscus flowers. Arrange them on your cakes alongside edible palm leaves to create a vibrant and exotic feel.
Sunflower Cake
Sunflowers are a quintessential symbol of summer. Create a stunning sunflower cake by piping yellow and brown buttercream petals onto a round cake. Add a chocolate centre or use a large yellow gum paste disc as the focal point. The result is a beautiful cake that radiates the warmth and joy of summer.
Remember, practice and experimentation are key to mastering these summer cake-decorating techniques. Don’t be afraid to let your creativity shine and try new ideas. With each cake you decorate, you’ll improve your skills and develop your unique style.
