Decorating cakes is a skillful craft, but it can be made quite simple. The most important aspect to be considered is to make it personal. When any art is done with passion, nothing goes wrong.

For making the beautiful cakes, one does not require to be a pastry chef, but just needs to have the know-how and practice. Eventually, the right tools will assist for cake decorating endeavors. Here, we have listed a few ideas one can try.

Baking. First step is to make a successful cake.

Leveling. The cake should be leveled by removing out the dome that has been formed on the cake top. Cut the layers horizontally to make more layers.

Filling. Select such a filling that matches with the icing or glaze.

Frosting. One can simply, frost the cake with icing or cover it with a simple glaze according to the choice. Tint frosting should be done beforehand, which always gives great results.

Applying Glazes. Applying glazes makes the cake top smooth, and shiny. Glazes such as Chocolate Ganache or an Apricot Glaze can be poured over a cake. Then depending upon the glaze, a layer of butter cream or marzipan can be iced or placed over it.  

Using easy decorations. One can use nontraditional decorating items such as fresh fruits, chopped toasted nuts, colored sugar or coconut, candied citrus peel, or even shaved chocolate, sprinkled on top or to the sides. This gives the cake a nice finishing touch.

Putting a personalized photo or logo on the cake. A photo cake can also be prepared. This is done with the help of a baker or an online company. They place the photo on the fondant sheet. The maximum photo size can be 8" x 10".

Dusting pattern. A pattern can be created by sprinkling sifted cocoa powder or confectioner's sugar on the top of a cake, using a stencil. Piping

Design. Piping a design can be done with the frosting, whipped cream, royal icing by a pastry bag, decorating cone or a zip lock bag. This is the most important tool for cake decorating. It makes lines, words, shells, flowers, and many other designs on the top or sides of the cake. Using

Crystallized Flower or Fruit. An iced cake or cupcake looks so pretty topped with crystallized edible flowers. Even decorate with sugared grape clusters.

Applying Marzipan. This can be used in baking and for covering and filling cakes.

Applying Fondant. Fondant is a soft, smooth, creamy white mass and used for icing cakes and cake decorations. This can be rolled or poured over cakes. It is usually used to make 3-D designs. This is less tasty than butter cream, but makes the cake sleek and elegant