Cake Decorating FOR DUMmIES‰ by Joe LoCicero Cake Decorating For Dummies® Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 www.wiley.com Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permis- sion of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax 978-646-8600. 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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007921849 ISBN: 978-0-470-09911-7 Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 About the Author Family lifestyle expert Joe LoCicero’s obsession with cakes and instruction began with the Flintstones-themed cake his mom served for his fifth birthday. Before the cake was doled out, Joe explained to everyone the importance of embellishing a cake with frosting and figures. He developed an immediate interest in deconstructing and designing desserts, and by the time he was in seventh grade, his carrot cakes had become such a hit that local organiza- tions auctioned them off at fundraisers. More recently, the Southern-bred LoCicero has spent the last 15 years in Los Angeles working in the entertainment industry as a party planner, writer, columnist, and marketing consultant. He also works wonders as a cake deco- rator, accomplished home chef, creative instructor, and entertaining guru. Having organized big-budget parties for network, studios, agents, and stars, Joe founded Chartreuse Cake in 1999, which specializes in themed, fantasti- cally crafted cakes for large gatherings such as birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, signature events, and private screenings. His Red Velvet Cake and its wide variety of decorations is his most requested. Chartreuse Cake has also catered meals for independent films, and dessert buffets for celebri- ties. LoCicero also continues to offer one-on-one home cooking instruction. In 2004, Joe and his wife founded Practical Whimsy (www.practicalwhimsy. com), a company that celebrates family style with products, recipes, party tips, and of course ideas for cakes. Joe and his wife champion the importance of family supper and celebrations and have given presentations on those topics to corporations, organizations, and educational institutions including MTV, Paramount, Viacom, Turner Broadcasting, Loyola Marymount University, and Southern California’s Discover Conference. Joe’s column on entertaining, “Practical Whimsy: Southern Hospitality, Hollywood Style,” is a regular feature in Y’ALL: The Magazine of Southern People, and he’s the author of a number of books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Clear Thinking and Streetwise Meeting and Event Planning. Additionally, Joe is the Food Contributor for momready.com. LoCicero has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Woman’s World, several daily newspapers in the U.S. and Canada; radio outlets including Sirius’ Martha Stewart Living Radio; and network affiliate news programs. LoCicero lives in Los Angeles, where he cooks dinner every night for his wife, Lori, and their two young children. They have cake as often as possible. Dedication To Dalton, whose love for cakes, zest for life, and ever-burgeoning outpouring of new ideas provide a happy, constant source of inspiration. Author’s Acknowledgments I truly regard cake decorating as a way to celebrate the infinite number of happy occasions that can bring friends, colleagues, relatives, and immediate family together. In that spirit, I’m so thankful to my nieces and nephews — Eli, Mary Elle, Samuel, Tucker, Savannah, Ethan, Paulina Jane, and Alex — who take cake and celebrating very seriously and have fueled my passion for cakes, served as excellent taste testers, and proved to be unending idea fac- tories. And to my delightful daughter Garcy, who has already shown me that I was, in fact, prepared to have a girl, particularly one who has such fabulous, discriminating taste. I’ve realized that people can be just as passionate about enjoying cake as I can be about making and decorating them. Jill and Mark Illsley, Maureen FitzPatrick and Doug Armstrong: Your unending support and encouragement, your graciousness, and your ever-present humor humble me. I’d also like to thank Kristy Wylie and Shari Kaufman, two champions of my cakes who never missed the chance to express their sheer delight, spread the word, and show me the importance of never making light of a talent you’ve been given And I appreciate all my friends and colleagues at Paramount, Disney, Turner Broadcasting, and Sony who heaped praise on myriad confections, instilling more pride, happiness, and publicity than they’ll ever know. To those who willingly enter the Practical Whimsy test kitchen and help us so immeasurably — namely the incredibly talented Sarah Kent and Julie Jones. Your assistance in so many areas was absolutely invaluable. You make us smile and never let us down. At Wiley, I so appreciate my Acquisitions Editor Stacy Kennedy’s passion for this project and understanding of my vision; Project Editor Tim Gallan’s stead- fast commitment and easygoing style; Copy Editor Elizabeth Rea’s cheer and verve; and Pam Mitchell’s expert recipe testing. In Jacky Sach, I am always happily amazed at what a dedicated advocate I have. I’m so lucky to be in league with such a smart, savvy agent who never wavers from helping me accomplish the ideals I strive for. And that sense of humor: Don’t get me started! I also want to point out my parents, Joe and Gloria, whose zeal for good food and love of us all propelled us to believe that we can do anything. And finally, to my favorite cake lover, my amazing Practical Whimsy coconspirator/wife Lori, who let me have an actual chartreuse-colored cake for our wedding . and had no idea what she was getting us into when she ordered me that Martha by Mail cake decorating kit oh-so-long ago. Publisher’s Acknowledgments We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/. Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following: Acquisitions, Editorial, and Composition Services Media Development Project Coordinator: Lynsey Osborn Senior Project Editor: Tim Gallan Layout and Graphics: Brooke Graczyk, Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy Joyce Haughey, LeAndra Hosier, Senior Copy Editor: Elizabeth Rea Stephanie D. Jumper, Heather Ryan Technical Editor and Recipe Tester: Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico Pamela Mitchell Proofreaders: Melanie Hoffman, Betty Kish Editorial Manager: Christine Meloy Beck Indexer: Steve Rath Editorial Assistants: Erin Calligan, Joe Niesen, David Lutton, Leeann Harney Illustrator: Liz Kurtzman Photographer: T. J. Hine Photography, Inc.