Cake Decorating with Chef Meg
Elevate your baking skills with Chef Meg in this comprehensive cake decorating course. You’ll learn how to trim, level, and frost cakes flawlessly, master buttercream techniques, and create beautiful designs using piping tips, flowers, and leaves. From the first crumb coat to the final presentation, this course will guide you step-by-step to transform your cakes into professional-looking masterpieces.
Total Course Runtime: 1 hour, 2 minutes
Lesson 1: Tools & Equipment
Discover the essential tools for cake decorating, including piping bags, tips, spatulas, turntables, and bench scrapers, and learn how using the right equipment sets you up for success.
Runtime: 4 minutes
Lesson 2: Buttercream
Explore the differences between American and Italian meringue buttercream and learn how to create a vibrant color palette for your cakes.
Runtime: 5 minutes
Lesson 3: Trimming & Leveling
Achieve perfectly flat and uniform cake layers, ensuring a polished look for every project.
Runtime: 12 minutes
Lesson 4: Creating the Perfect Crumb Coat
Learn how to apply a light crumb coat to trap loose crumbs and create a smooth base for the final frosting layer.
Runtime: 8 minutes
Lesson 5: The Second Layer
Master the techniques for applying a flawless final layer of frosting for a clean and professional finish.
Runtime: 8 minutes
Lesson 6: Piping Tips
Unlock creative possibilities with piping tips to make intricate borders, rosettes, flowers, and leaves that bring your cake designs to life.
Runtime: 10 minutes
Lesson 7: Creating Beautiful Flowers and Leaves
Take your cake decorating to the next level by crafting realistic and elegant floral designs with buttercream.
Runtime: 12 minutes
Lesson 8: Finishing & Presenting
Learn the final touches and presentation tips to showcase your cake beautifully, making it a true centerpiece.
Runtime: 3 minutes
Total Course Runtime: 1 hour, 2 minutes
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
After graduating from Bentley University with a degree in finance, Chef Meg Newcomb moved to Chicago and attended the French Pastry School to study classic French pastry in their L’Art de la Pâtisserie program. After working with chefs Gina and Bob Hartwig at Lovely Bakeshop, Chef Meg returned home to Boston in 2010. Upon her return, she began working as a baker at Crema Cafe in Harvard Square and quickly progressed to Pastry Chef and Executive Chef. In addition to over a decade of cafe management, her industry experience includes custom wedding cakes, event catering, and food trucks. She also competed on The Food Network’s Cupcake Wars in 2013. She joined CSCA in 2019 and teaches in both the professional and recreational programs. “For me, baking is the ultimate way to share joy with other people. Some of my fondest early memories are of baking with my mom and watching her decorate birthday cakes. I often find that people are intimidated by pastry techniques, and it is my personal goal to demystify the process so we can all share a little more joy with the people we love. Baking should be magical, not scary!”