Colored sugar sprinkles are fun, beautiful to look at and easy to use, as long as you take some precautions to prevent them from spreading all over the kitchen. Before you start decorating the cake, you'll need to let it cool and coat it with an even layer of icing. When it's time to buy sugar sprinkles, choose a color that matches the taste of the cake or the occasion to celebrate. Read on and choose the method you prefer to decorate your cake.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare the Cake for Decorations
Step 1. Place the cake on a baking sheet to collect the falling sprinkles
The pan will contain the sprinkles of sugar that will not stick to the cake. It is easier to decorate a cake in a raised position, so if you have a cake stand at home, place the cake on top of it and then place it in the center of a large pan.
Make sure the cake has cooled completely before applying the frosting. If it is still hot or lukewarm, the icing will melt and run down
Step 2. Apply a thin layer of frosting around the cake
This technique, called "crumb coating", is similar to grouting. In practice, you have to apply a first layer of thin glaze that serves to isolate the sponge cake and prevent the cake from crumbling. The icing will make the surface of the cake smoother and more even, so you will have less trouble applying the sprinkles with any method.
You can use buttercream, ganache, or whatever type of icing you prefer. The important thing is to spread a thin and uniform veil
Step 3. After you have "filled" the cake, put it to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes, to harden the icing
The glaze will harden more or less quickly, depending on the type and texture. When 20 minutes have passed, tap the cake gently (with clean hands) to see if the icing has hardened. If it's still sticky, leave the cake in the refrigerator for another 5 minutes.
Step 4. Add a second layer of icing, thicker than the first
If you have a frosting spatula, you will certainly have less effort. Continue coating the cake evenly until the icing layer has reached the desired thickness. The freshly applied frosting will have a sticky texture, so this is the perfect time to apply the sugar sprinkles.
- If you intend to roll the cake onto the sprinkles, do not frost the top as you will have to keep one hand under and one over the cake.
- If you want to coat the cake in sugar paste, you can apply it as you normally would.
Step 5. Choose the sprinkles according to the type of cake
You can draw inspiration from the ingredients you used to make it. For example, if you have candied cherries in the dough, you can decorate it with a white glaze and some bright red sprinkles. You always have to take into account the color of the glaze. If you've coated the cake with chocolate ganache and use dark-colored sprinkles, it won't be noticeable. Dark-colored sprinkles, such as chocolate sprinkles, go best with a vanilla icing.
- You can choose the color of the sprinkles according to the season or event to celebrate. For example, to decorate a fall cake for Halloween, you can use a mix of orange, purple and black sprinkles. If you've made a cake to celebrate Valentine's Day or a special anniversary, you can use a mix of white, red and pink sprinkles.
- You can use both sprinkles and sugar balls, depending on the type of result you want to achieve in terms of thickness and width of the colored areas. For a mix of textures, you can use half of both.
- You can also apply flat and round sugared almonds or small Smarties-like candies to the cake. Both decorations can be used alone or in combination with sugar sprinkles to make them stand out.
Method 2 of 4: Apply the sprinkles by pressing them onto the cake
Step 1. Pour the sprinkles into a shallow bowl for easier application
You will need to attach them to the second layer of frosting before it hardens. Don't use a bowl that is too deep, or you won't be able to get the sprinkles fast enough.
Start by pouring at least 200-350g of sprinkles into the bowl and add more as and if needed. With this amount you should be able to decorate the sides of the cake sufficiently thickly
Step 2. Apply a handful of sprinkles around the base of the cake
Do this with gentle taps. If you use too much force, you risk the sprinkles sinking into the icing. Decorate the cake gradually, starting from the base and slowly going upwards. This way, you will be able to distribute the sprinkles more evenly.
- Repeat the same process for the middle and top portion of the cake.
- This method is particularly suitable for decorating large or layered cakes that are too fragile to roll on sprinkles.
Step 3. Use an icing spatula to level the layer of sprinkles
The spatula is used to remove excess sprinkles: you will bring to light the points where they did not stick to the icing and then you can add them where needed. Apply the sprinkles where they are missing, being careful not to press too hard.
Repeat the process around the entire perimeter of the cake until you are satisfied with the result
Step 4. Apply the sugar sprinkles to the top of the cake to finish the job
Pay particular attention to the top and try to spread the sprinkles by gently brushing them with your fingers. Don't feel obligated to use the same color sprinkles you applied on the sides. You can decorate your cake in a fun and imaginative way.
- For example, if you have multicolored sprinkles on the sides of the cake, you can use one color sprinkles (e.g. purple or yellow) for the top to create a color contrast.
- You can also change the type of decorations; for example, you can spread the sprinkles densely on the sides and decorate the top of the cake with just a few sugared almonds to create a contrast with the pattern on the sides.
Step 5. Use a stencil to create a design on the top side of the cake
You can purchase a stencil or make it yourself using baking paper. It is an alternative way to decorate the top of the cake after applying the sprinkles to the sides. If you want to create the stencil with parchment paper, draw a flower, a heart or a figure of your choice according to the event to be celebrated and cut it out. You can also create letters or numbers, to write the name of the birthday boy or to celebrate the new year.
- Draw on the parchment paper with the pencil and then cut out the figure with the scissors.
- Place the stencil on the cake and remove any creases or air bubbles from under the paper.
- Take a pastry brush and apply a thin layer of honey or corn syrup along the outline of the design, then fill the space with sprinkles or sugar balls.
- Put the cake in the refrigerator for 20 minutes leaving the stencil where it is. After 20 minutes, gently lift it up and remove it from the cake.
Method 3 of 4: Apply the sprinkles by rolling the cake
Step 1. Pour 200g of sugar sprinkles into the bottom of a baking sheet
Spread the sprinkles along a strip as high as the edge of the cake. You can increase or decrease the amount of sprinkles depending on the result you want to get. For example, if you don't want the sprinkles to create a very dense texture on the edges of the cake, you can use a smaller amount or vice versa.
This method is suitable for decorating small cakes with a compact consistency, because it is necessary to handle them without risking breaking them
Step 2. Place one hand underneath and the other on top of the cake, then transfer it to the baking sheet
Try to make a single quick movement to lay the cake on the plate without letting it fall as it could break or crack.
The top of the cake must not have been frosted yet if you want to use this method to decorate the sides. If you have already spread the icing on the top as well, you will have a much harder time handling it
Step 3. Lay the cake on its side and roll it gently over the sprinkles to decorate the perimeter
Let the weight of the cake make the sprinkles stick to the icing. Do not apply any additional pressure to prevent the sprinkles from sinking into the icing.
Pour some more sprinkles on the plate if at some point you realize that they are not enough
Step 4. Lift the cake by grabbing the sides that have not been frosted and place it on a plate or cake stand
The glaze will still be fresh and will need time to harden.
Smooth the edge of the cake with the spatula or your finger if there are any small imperfections during the transfer
Step 5. Smear the icing on the top of the cake using the spatula
If you used the "crumble coating" technique on the sides, do the same on the top so that the icing has the same thickness and consistency. Be careful when approaching the edges of the top side so as not to drop the sugar sprinkles you applied on the sides.
Step 6. At this point, you can apply the sprinkles to the top of the cake
The easiest way is to pour a handful or two in the center and then distribute them by gently brushing them with the icing spatula, rather than using your fingers. Make sure you spread them out evenly.
Method 4 of 4: Apply the Codette on the Sugar Paste
Step 1. Melt 200 g of white chocolate to be melted in a saucepan over medium heat
You will need to stir the chocolate continuously to prevent it from burning. You can use white chocolate, milk chocolate or whatever type of chocolate you prefer, depending on the taste of the cake and the color scheme you want to make. If you don't find the flakes ready to melt, cut the chocolate into small pieces before putting it on the stove.
- You don't have to buy melt chocolate for pastry, but know that if you use white chocolate in drops or in bars it will have a slightly more yellowish color than chocolate for pastry.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the melted white chocolate to create a colorful base on which to apply the sprinkles. Choose a color that creates a nice contrast.
Step 2. Add 30g of oil or butter to make the chocolate more fluid
Keep stirring until the chocolate has completely melted and blended with the fat. If the mixture still feels too thick and therefore difficult to spread on the sugar paste, continue adding the oil or butter until you get the desired consistency.
Alternatively, you can use the same amount of cocoa butter to make the melted chocolate more fluid and workable
Step 3. Use a frosting spatula to quickly spread the chocolate over the sugar paste
Your goal is to spread it in a thin, even layer on the sides of the cake. It will harden in about 8 minutes, so you need to roll out the chocolate as quickly as possible to have time to apply the sprinkles and make sure they don't peel off.
If you want to apply the sprinkles to the top of the cake as well, you will need to coat it completely with chocolate
Step 4. Apply sprinkles to the bottom portion of the cake
To get a good result, press the sprinkles against the cake with one hand, while with the other you rotate it. It is best to apply the sprinkles to one section of the cake at a time, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the edge or top for more control.
- If you have a turntable, place the cake on it and spin it to be able to apply the sprinkles more quickly and with greater ease.
- Repeat the process to apply the sprinkles on the middle section and then on the top of the cake. If you have decided to apply the sprinkles on the upper side as well, decorate it last.
Step 5. Press the sprinkles against the sugar paste, gently, using the spatula
This step is to eliminate the excess sprinkles that have not stuck to the chocolate for a more precise and tidy result. If you notice that sprinkles are missing in some places, add them and press them gently against the cake to make them adhere to the chocolate.
Don't forget to press the sprinkles against the sugar paste on the top of the cake as well
Step 6. Allow the decorations to settle on the cake before moving or serving
In particular, if you used melting chocolate for pastry, it will harden within a few minutes. When the decorations are firmly attached to the cake, you can move it and show it to your family members and friends.
