I made this cake to feature the Australian String Work technique. String work, an extremely delicate form of cake decoration, is also known as extension work. This cake decorating technique employs the use of royal icing piping on an intricate curtain and lacework on the side of the cake. Regarded by cake decorators as the Rolls Royce of cake decorating and by many, as a difficult technique to master, the arduous task requires much patience and the perfect icing to accomplish it.
Bridge extension work on side of the cake.
At the top of the cake, fondant plaque with stenciled tulip, painted with edible dusting powder.
Piped royal icing bead border at the cake base; and fondant covered board with embossed butterflies.
Piped royal icing bead border at the cake base; and fondant covered board with embossed butterflies.
Closeup of the bridge with extension work.
Step by step of bridge extension work.
Clockwise from top left: 1. Pipe first string of icing along scribed line. 2. Pipe layer of strings atop one another until a bridge is formed (10 layers). 3. Using the finest piping tip, pipe fine strings extending from the scribed line (at the top) to the bridge. 4. Repeat (step 3) until finish.
Closeup of the suspended string work (top layer).
Side profile of the suspended string work.
Step by step of suspended string work.
Clockwise from top left: 1. Insert pins into cake along top of existing bridge string work 2. Pipe a string draping it across the pins. 3. Using the finest piping tip, pipe fine strings extending from the scribed line (at the top) to the suspended string. 4. Repeat (step 3) until finish then carefully remove the pins.
That was super hard work... yet awesome!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I've always, always wanted to know how this is done! Thank you so much for showing this, it's awesome.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant work!
ReplyDeleteWow...I am self taught (only 2 months) cake decorator and just love the way you show us all the finest details.
ReplyDeletethat's awesome! excellent work and very impressive!
ReplyDeleteso very helpful. Thanks so much for the great tutorial.
ReplyDeletecompetitors at comp insulted my pipping this year, but with his technique they'll be in for a sup prise!
ReplyDeletestupendo
ReplyDeleteNow i know how it is done! Great piping skills!
ReplyDeleteWow...fantastiskt...
ReplyDeletejust found your page. Thank you for showing how you do it. Just amazing and beautiful.
ReplyDelete