Only a baker can tell you the agony of bending over that wedding cake at 12 midnight one more time. I am going to do these sugar flowers one last time…oh no, that is not how it is going to be. Yes…guess what is the no.1 obstacle — not less skills, not less talent, but less light!
You will not become that talented cake decorator if you are squinting at the sugar flowers or flooded with buttercream at 2 AM. Let’s get rid of them by making your kitchen bake-friendly! Not only will you create Instagram-worthy cakes, but piping might just feel like a breeze to you now. Read on to see how under cabinet lighting can improve cake detailing.
Why Your Kitchen Lighting Could Be Holding You Back
That flickering fluorescent light bulb over your head is definitely holding you back. You could nail that shade of burgundy for your next birthday cake. However, it is only when you bring it out into daylight that you see it was brick red all along. That’s where LED lighting comes in to save the day (and the cake!).
The Game-Changer: LED Lighting in Your Workspace
Every decorator knows the value of clarity while icing. Those intricate details require your undivided attention. This is a lot easier to achieve when every line and swirl is clear! LED lights can help you with that using a few tricks:
- Brightness Matters: Look for LEDs between 3000-4000K (that’s lighting-speak for “just right”). Too warm and your whites look yellow; too cool and everything looks like it belongs in a hospital!
- Adjustable is Your Friend: Light dimmers are a quick hack! Lighting for noon-piping might just blind you at midnight without dimmers!
- Position is Everything: Under-cabinet LED strips eliminate those annoying shadows that make you second-guess every piping bag movement.
Taking Your Cakes from Good to Gram-Worthy
Did you even bake a cake if it is not on your Instagram? We know our priorities in 2024, right? A good click is a good bake! Here are some ways you can achieve those picture-perfect delicacies:
Photography Lighting Tips That Actually Work
- Ring Lights are Your BFF: They’re not just for influencers! A good LED ring light can make your metallics pop and your pearls gleam.
- The Three-Light Rule: Position your main light at 45 degrees and add a fill light opposite and a backlight to make those edges glow. Sounds fancy, but it’s actually super simple with portable LED lights.
Smart Display Solutions for Showroom-Worthy Cakes
To take your display to the next level, here’s what you need to know:
- Position for Optimal Effect: Distribute your resources evenly. Well-rounded lighting can help avoid awkward shadows.
- Safety First: Melting cakes all around — a nightmare! Keep those LEDs away from your masterpiece.
- Easy-to-Install Options: LED strips, battery-powered lights and clip-ons offer flexibility for displays in any setting. You don’t need to rewire the bakery!
Real Talk: Practical Tips from Someone Who’s Been There
After countless cakes and even more lighting experiments, here’s what actually works:
- Start Simple: Once again, under-cabinet lights are lifesavers! An affordable assist for painstaking details!
- Layer Your Lighting: Overhead LEDs + targeted task lighting = magic. Layered lighting gives new depth to your workspace and photos.
- Temperature Control: Don’t place your 3-tiered lemon blueberry cake under direct LEDs. Even though LEDs are cooler, they can still get warm over time.
Match Your Lights to Your Cake Vibe!
Want elegant wedding cakes? Opt for some soft & warm LEDs to keep it classy. Remember, you want a soft glow, no hard shadows. Going for some party cakes? Colour changing would be the life of the cake stand; match those colours to the party theme and create an impact! Something with lots of shimmer and sparkle? Cool white LEDs will help those metallic tones pop. Oh, you have a whole dessert table or a gigantic multi-tiered cake? Wrap some LEDs around the base for a soft glow up to the cake — don’t forget to match your lighting to the vibe and those cakes will look absolutely gorgeous!
The Perfect Bake!
Using LED lighting also makes decorating less stressful, eliminates the need for additional products and encourages skill and attention to every cake created. Don’t stop there; a well-decorated cake display with the help of LEDs can also give that WOW factor & show off a decorator’s creativity to every potential customer before they even walk in the door!
