Ruffle Cake Tutorial

Since I threw a bunch of ruffles on my Ultimate Dessert Cake and then teased ya that I had already done a tutorial I figured I better show it to ya!

So I made the "tutorial" ruffle cake in blue.  Turquoise more like it.  But next time, it will for sure be pink.  I am dying to see this in pink, I don't know why on earth I picked turquoise!

Boy, I sure know how to sell something don't I?

This cake took about eight minutes to decorate.

Simply grab a #401 tip.  I got mine from Ateco, but I think other cake decorating distributors have them as well.  (It looks similar to a half moon shape.)

Holding the tip upside down (so the slit is on the bottom) simply apply gentle pressure to the bag and move upwards on the cake.    

You can apply a little pressure or a lot depending on your mood!

You can see that I changed up my pressure throughout and got a few different effects.  Some of the ruffles are loose and some are tighter.

 

I have to admit.  I did not take my time and give the blue cake 'my all'.  I tried a bit harder on the Ultimate Dessert Cake and I think it is much more uniform.

 And the inside was a dreamy deliciousness of deep dark chocolate.  But that is for another day. 

 Answer: I dont know.

Question: What the hay is that?

Answer: Yes I did.

Question: Did you really take cake slices and stack them up on top of each other separated only by a small piece of parchment and take a picture of it?

Answer: Why, yes.  Yes I am.

Question: Are you nuts?!?

*****
Some have been asking for recipes for the Ultimate Dessert Cake...

I used a version of this white chocolate cake from epicurious.  I made a cinnamon cake from scratch but think it still needs something so I am working on improving that recipe.  If you need something now, you can imporvise with a  good spice cake recipe.  The frosting is here, I use this frosting on everything now.  I mean EVERYTHING.  

Well, not everything.  

I used a chocolate version on the Ultimate Dessert Cake... but again, its not perfect so I need to tweak it some. Sorry!  I am annoying like that.

 

*Check out this cake and many other amazing things on Tidymom's I'm Lovin It!

Comments

[Steph C]

LOVE that last picture! Such a pretty color blue, Thanks for the tutorial!

[Loves 2 Bake]

love the way it looks stacked! and love the turquoise frosting with the chocolate cake!!!

[Liz]

Oh my...this is absolutely beautiful! THIS cake has been on my baking wish list (ahem, to-do list) for quite awhile. Pink was my original plan, but I'm in LOVE with this turquoise - especially against the dark chocolate. What did you use to get that color? Gel?

[Georgia Pellegrini]

This is awesome, I'm going to try it on the next cake I attempt, which will probably be in 2020. Unless you give me a private lesson and encourage me and hold my hand.

[Emily R.]

This is an awesome tutorial! :) Are you ever going to post the recipe for that fantastic cinnamon/white chocolate cake? :)

[Georgia]

So pretty! Now I have to get that tip!

[caroline]

I love that last photo with the cakes stacked. How interesting and creative! Beautiful picture!

[Glory/ Glorious Treats]

Very cool technique! I need to get one of those tips... and just when I thought I had every tip known to mankind! I love that last photo!

[kate]

So excited to see this tutorial! Can't wait to decorate a cake like this!

[Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen]

I love that last shot! What an unusual perspective on cake, very creative.

[Emilie]

Hi Manda! Just a question.
Do you have a receipe for the frosting?
Cause I'm desperatly searching one and yours looks really great!

[Sasha @ The Procrastobaker]

See if i tried to take a photo like that last one I would have ended up with 5 smushed cake slices and icing absolutely everywhere, how on earth did you manage that! Anyway, gorgeous cake and i love your tutorials, teaches me so much as a complete novice in the cake decorating world. Cant wait for the cake recipe too, it looks so darkly delicious :)

[Katie]

Ahhh so thats the trick. I thought you might have to pipe each ruffle on seperatly. Would you be able to show a clearer photo of the tip, we can't get wilton easily and I think we have different ones in the UK.
Looks spectacular

[Vania Vilaça]

I love it! It's has an awesome effect.

[bridget {bake at 350}]

I love that picture...and the color...and the cake...and YOU!

[Renee (kudos kitchen)]

Your creativity in all you do, blows me away. That final photo is genius! I need to see you vlogging. Do you ever do that on this site?

[Amanda Rettke]

http://iammommy.typepad.com/i_am_baker/2011/05/sugar-cookie-flower-cake-.html

Here is the recipe I used Lily!

[Karriann Graf]

Gorgeous tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

[jessica]

Can we have the recipe for the ultimate dessert cake? I am dying for it!!

[Emilie]

Thanks a lot Manda!!! <3

[Jill]

CUTE!! .....and LOOKS easy. Do you refrigerate the frosting before ....frosting or use it at room temp?

[Helene]

It is beautiful!

[Cookbook Queen]

Gorgeous!! And I love the contrast of the turquoise and the chocolate cake inside!!

[etta]

WOW!! I have to try it very soon! ;-)
kisses
Etta

[Stephanie]

You make it look so easy! I looooove your photos, and I think all the effort you put into the slices stacked on top of each other was worth the effect in the photo. :)

[imagenthat]

@Katie, that picture of the tip is actually the Ateco one (right Manda?)

http://www.amazon.com/Ateco-Decorating-Tip-401/dp/B0000VLE3Q

http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?sku=402-401

Just look for ruffle tip 401.

As usual, your cake is beautiful, Manda! Thanks for the tutorial. We could hardly wait. You might see another batch of them, one after another at Cake Central and other places really soon!

[TidyMom]

oh girl.......you SO inspire me to try more cakes! I feel like such a big girl moving up from cupcakes! lol

I have to try this!!

I would LOVE to see a post about all the decorating tips you have and what you use the most.....

[Nikki]

I think it's beautiful!! :) I love that color too! I bet it'll look great in pink as well! :)

[Evan @swEEts]

I've done a ruffle cake but slightly different. I can't wait to try this technique too!

[Renee]

Thanks for the info. The cake is beautiful. I love the color. I think I have that tip, but I never thought to use it like that.

[The Café Sucré Farine]

You always have something wonderful to share and today is no exception! Love this tutorial and I think I will have some fun with this technique!!

[Karen]

YOu are a true talent! amazing

[bubbieone]

ARE YOU NUTS????????? YES I AM!!!!!!!!

GIRL THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING NUTS!!!!!!!!!!
MEANS WE ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Miss Martina]

Thank you for taking the time to post these tutorials, they really help to get a handle on the process. I do, however, still need a good 'Cinnamon Cake' formula so whenever ya figure it out - please post it! For now, I'm using a cinnamon pound cake recipe that is quite nice but very "delicate in flavor" so it isn't suited for frosting or combining with other cake flavors - which is what I'd like to do as you show in the Ultimate Dessert Cake. Please keep us posted!MM-

[Patricia Calef]

I love the stacked cakes.

[Jamie]

I love this look and that last photo! Beautiful!

[Amy K]

Thanks for the recipe/info on the cake. I'm going to give it a shot, because it looks amazing!

[Nic@diningwithastud]

Such a pretty cake - love the shot of the slices :)

[Abby]

I'll have to give this a try. I made your rose cake, so I have total faith in your tutorials. Besides, I'm always looking for an excuse to buy a new pastry tip!

[Nicole]

I stop by your site every 2 or 3 days to see if you have posted anything new. This morning, I took a peek at foodgawker before clicking through my other bookmarks. I saw your cake there and new it was yours before reading your name. Doesn't that make you feel good?

[Emily R.]

Amanda- Thanks for posting the recipe! On the white chocolate cake from Epicurious, your version looked more like white cake and the photo on Epicurious definitely looks more yellow (and I noticed uses the entire egg and not just the whites). In your opinion, would this recipe work well for a white cake or did your photos just make it appear to be white? I'm looking for a white chocolate white cake recipe and so far having no luck. Thanks so much! LOVE your blog! :)

[Flora.]

Oh, please!
I've been dreaming about that cinnamon cake since the day I saw it's picture!
I'm pretty sure that's the texture I am looking for, for a special b-day cake.
Please, please, please, post it for us. :D

[Chicgorgeous.blogspot.com]

Hi Amanda! Your cakes always look so gorgeous. Really inspires me to constantly do better. I've been a quiet reader for so long that I can no longer hold my peace. Lol.. Amazing job as always. Would love to hear from you or feel free to provide feedbacks. Do stop by if you like.. Cheers Jo.

Link: http://chicgorgeous.blogspot.com

[kang li]

love the colour of the frosting!!!

[DearTragedy]

http://beatrzxoxo.tumblr.com/post/7073993243
^Your cake. No link-back or credit. Thought I'd let you know.

[Amber @FromTheHeartsOf]

I loved your tutorial and used it to make a ruffle cake for an 80th birthday party.

http://fromtheheartsof.blogspot.com/2011/06/80th-birthday-party.html

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

Amazing... I need to pick up one of those tips so I can try my hand at the ruffle cake. Granted, that would require me making a cake to decorate. Lately I've been all about the cupcakes and cookies.

[Sue]

I love the turquoise! I also love the last(stacked) photo and your funny question & answer! Have a fabulous 4th of July, Amanda! Thanks for the tutorial.

[Mika(Photoadik)]

oh my gosh! looks very delicious :)

[Sylvia@bascooking]

Lovely color and elegant shape