Cake Decorating Project

Two decorated cakes - one with a sun and the other with a cartoon mouseLearn how to decorate a cake according to your tastes!

Start out in unit 1 to learn how to bake and decorate a single-layer cake. As you progress, the skills become more advanced. Progress all the way to units 10-12 to make cakes with 3 or more tiers with advanced decorating skills.

 

Members enrolled:

  • Learn about the various tools used to decorate cakes
  • Learn about budgeting and the cost of materials
  • Learn about the different ingredients used to decorate cakes
  • Set goals
  • Use their new skills to express their creativity
  • and more!

 

 

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Cake decorating Workshops will be on Monday nights from 6 pm - 7:30 pm in the McKee Building. 

  • January 13th - Units 1,2,3,4 and Fondant
  • January 27th - Units 1,2,3,5 and Frosting Flowers
  • February 10th - Units 1,2,3,4 and Fondant
  • March 10th - Units 1,2,3,5 and Frosting Flowers
  • March 24th - Units 1,2,3,4 and Fondant
  • April 7th - Units 1,2,3,5 and Frosting Flowers

Please sign up online for workshops.

A Supply list will be sent out at least a week in Advance of all Workshops. 

The Cake Decorating Contest will be on April 12th, 2025 from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

The materials you will need depend on what unit you enroll in. You may already have some / many of these materials at home already.

You will also need to attend the cake decorating workshops. Attendance is not mandatory to enroll. However, the cake- decorating workshops are a wonderful educational opportunity you won't want to miss.

Unit 1

  • Foil
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Frosting
  • Candy
  • 8 or 9-inch round cake pan
  • 9 x 13 rectangle cake pan
  • Apron
  • Drop cloths
  • 9-inch straight spatula
  • Gel color for frosting
  • 10 or 12-inch round cake boards
  • 11 X 15 rectangle cake board

Unit 2

  • Foil
  • Tape
  • 8 or 9-inch round cake pan or 9 X 13 rectangle pan
  • 10 or 12-inch round cake board or 11 X 15 rectangle cake board
  • 11-inch straight spatula
  • Apron
  • Drop cloths
  • Thermos or an insulated mug
  • Disposable 10-inch decorating bags
  • Toothpicks
  • Gel food coloring
  • Coupler set
  • Writing tip - need only 1; tip #1-6 (#3 or #4 work best and are most popular)
  • Star tip - need only 1; tip #13-22 (#16 or #18 work well for this unit and future ones)
    • Leaf tip - need only 1; tip #74; #65-70
  • Frosting

Unit 3

  • 2- 8 or 9-inch round cake pans
  • 5- 10 or 12-inch round cake boards
  • Foil
  • Tape
  • 11 Inch metal spatula
  • Apron
  • Drop cloths
  • Star tip #14, 16, 18, 21, 22, 32
  • Writing tip # 3, 4, 5, 10, 12
  • Leaf tip #13-22 or #352
  • 2 other decorating tips
  • Gel frosting color
  • 10-inch decorating bags
  • Coupler set
  • Paintbrush (optional)
  • Frosting

Unit 4

  • Character pan (members are encouraged to check with project leaders before purchasing a pan. The project leaders have many pans the members can borrow.)
  • 13 x 19 cake boards that are easy to cut
  • 10 Inch decorating bags
  • Coupler set
  • Star tip #14, 16, 18, 21, 32
  • Writing tips #3, 4, 5, 10, 12
  • Gel coloring
  • Frosting
  • Tape
  • Foil

Unit 5

  • Cookies
    • Cookie cutters
    • 10-inch decorating bags
    • Coupler set
    • Tips/Writing, star, leaf, any decorating tip
    • Gel coloring
    • Paintbrush (optional)
    • Royal icing iIf you are going to use it)
    • Cake boards 10 or 12-inch round
    • Foil
    • Tape
  • Cookie Construction
    • Cookie cutters
    • Patterns
    • Flat baking sheet
    • Rolling pin
    • Rolling mat or parchment paper
    • Pizza cutter
    • Pairing knife
    • Exacto knife
    • Ruler
    • Serrated bread knife for trimming
  • Cupcakes
    • Cupcake pan
    • Cupcake liners
    • Gel coloring
    • 10-inch decorating bags
    • Coupler set
    • Cake boards (round or rectangular)
    • Decorating tips
    • 4 or 9 Inch metal spatula
    • Foil
    • Tape

Unit 6

  • Cake boards that are easy to cut
  • Gel coloring
  • 10-inch decorating bags
  • Coupler set
  • 2- 8 or 9-inch round cake pans or 9 x 13 rectangle pan
  • 11-inch straight metal spatula
  • Decorating tips (3 different ones)
  • Serrated knife
  • Foil
  • Tape
  • Frosting

Unit 7

  • 2 X 8, 9 or 10-inch round cake pan
  • 10 or 12-inch cake boards depending what size cake
  • Foil
  • Tape
  • Frosting
  • Gel coloring
  • 10-inch frosting bags
  • Coupler set
  • Decorating tips
  • Flat flower nail

Unit 8

  • 2 x 8, 9 or 10-inch cake pan (or that size cake form)
  • 10 or 12=inch sturdy cake board depending on cake size
  • 2lbs of fondant per cake or cake form
  • Gum paste
  • Frosting
  • 10-inch decorating bags
  • Gel coloring
  • Foil
  • Tape
  • Coupler set
  • Decorating tips
  • Rolling pin
  • Fondant smoother
  • Fondant tools
  • Cornstarch
  • Fondant cutters
  • Fondant overlays (optional)
  • Flower wires (optional)
  • Toothpicks
  • Small dowls or lollipop S]sticks

Manuals are available on the Colorado 4-H Website

4-H E-Records were previously known as Record Books. Each project has its own E-Record book that members are required to complete each year. We recommend downloading and starting your record book right away. All record books should be kept in a 3-ring binder. The front cover should have the 4-H'ers name, unit number, and project.  

Need help filling out your E-Record? Talk to your club leader, project leader, or visit our E-Record help page.

If you participate in the Larimer County Fair, you will turn in your e-record at Interview Judging Day in July. Learn more about getting your project ready for the Larimer County Fair.

2024 - 2025 Cake Decorating Record Book (PDF)

2024 - 2025 Cake Decorating Record Book (DOCX)

Project units 1-6 are designed for members 8-18 years old

Cake Decorating Units 1-3:

Inspiring youth to:

  • Bake and frost a single layer cake
    • Develop skills using cake decorating equipment, such as writing & leaf and star tips on a single-layer cake
  • Frost a two-layer cake using three tips: writing, leaf and star

Cake Decorating Units 4-6

Inspiring youth to:

  • Use a character pan and decorate using recommended tips
  • Decorate cupcakes to create different themes or characters
  • Decorate cookies to create different themes or cookie structures
  • Use a cut-up cake to create different shapes or forms and decorate using different tips.

Project units 7-8 are designed for members 11-18 years old

Cake Decorating Units 7-8

Inspiring youth to:

  • Using advanced decorating tips (drop or flat surface flowers, flowers made on a flat flower nail, borders and side trims) to create a two-layered cake
  • Using fondant to decorate a two-layered cake
  • Using advanced decorating skills to create a flower on a lily nail to decorate a cake

Project units 10-12 are designed for members 14-18 years old

Cake Decorating Units 10-12

Inspiring youth to:

  • Create and decorate tiered cakes of three or more tiers
  • Decorate using advanced skills
  • Create mold of different shapes using different edible materials
  • Create your own project

2025 Cake Decorating Contest: April 12th from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Rules

  1. Open to 4-H members 8 to 18 years of age.
  2. Members must be enrolled in the project unit in which they are participating.
  3. Counties may enter one contestant in each division for a maximum of three contestants in each unit. The following divisions will be judged in each unit:
    • Units 1-6
      • Junior 8-10
      • Intermediate 11-13
      • Senior 14-18
    • Units 7-9
      • Intermediate 11-13
      • Senior 14-18
    • Units 10-11
      • Seniors only
  4. Judging will be done by units.
  5. Project exhibit rules apply to this contest. All contestants in a unit will work at the same time. Judges will circulate to observe methods used.
  6. All contestants must bring:
    • Cake or cake forms for decorating.
    • All equipment and materials required to decorate a cake.
    • Frosting needed (colored and ready to use).
  7. The frosting must be applied as part of the contest in Units 1 through 7. Units 9 and 10 may frost the cake prior to the contest. For Unit 8 the contestants will need to cover the cake with fondant as a part of the contest. Contestants will be responsible for planning a design that can be completed in the time allowed.
  8. Lower Units (1-3) in Cake Decorating should not use Royal Icing or Rolled Fondant as the base frosting. NO fondant decorations can be used in Units 1, 2, or 3. Only required tip work can be used in units 2 and 3. No fondant may be used for decorations or base icing on the cake.
  9. No cell phones are allowed during judging.
  10. No parents are allowed in the kitchen area before or during the judging.

UNIT 1 — EDIBLE — 30 MINUTES

  • A. Frost single-layer 8- or 9- or 10-inch round or square or 9" x 13 real cake.
  • B. Cake may be crumb-frosted before, but base frosting must be applied as part of the contest.
  • C. Apply design using edible materials (no tips).
  • D. One fourth of the top of the cake should be visible to show smooth base.
  • E. No fondant may be used for decorations or base icing on the cake. No royal icing can be used as icing or decorations. No non-edible material can be used in units 1-6.
  • F. Bottom Base Border required.
  • G. Clean up area.

UNIT 2 — SINGLE LAYERED — 1 HOUR

  • A. Frost single-layer 8” or 9” or 10” round or square or 9” x 13” rectangle real cake for this unit.
  • B. Cake may be crumb-frosted before, but base frosting must be applied as part of the contest.
  • C. Decorate the real cake using a leaf tip, star tip and round tip only. (No fondant or royal icing may be used as icing or decorations on the cake.) Only required tip work can be used in Unit 2.
  • D. One fourth of the top of cake should be visible to show smooth base.
  • E. Bottom Bass Border is required.
  • F. Only edible materials may be used. No non-edible material can be used in units 1-6.
  • G. No flowers made on a flower nail or materials other than frosting in decorations.
  • H. Clean up area.

UNIT 3 — TWO LAYERED — 1 HOUR

  • A. Frost two-layered real cake (8” or 9” or 10” round or square).
  • B. Cake may be crumb-frosted before, but base frosting must be applied as part of the contest.
  • C. One fourth of the top of the cake should be visible to show smooth base.
  • D. Decorate cake using 3-5 different types of tips. The following tips must be used:
    • Leaf tip
    • Round tip
    • Star tip
    • You may also use other tips if you so choose
  • E. No non-edible material can be used in units 1-6.
  • F. No fondant or royal icing may be used.
  • G. Side trim is required.
  • H. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • I. Spatula, brush striping and figure piping are optional.
  • J. No flowers made on a flower nail or materials other than frosting in decorations.
  • K. Clean up area.

UNIT 4 — CHARACTER CAKES — 1 HOUR

  • A. One decorated character real cake (an entire cake which resembles the shape of a character or object made without cutting, other than a classic square, round, oblong, heart, hexagon, oval or petal cake shape). Three-dimensional cakes are acceptable.
  • B. Cake may be crumb frosted before
  • contest.
  • C. Decorate cake using primarily the star tip or other tips appropriate to the design. No non-edible material can be used in Units 1-6.
  • D. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • E. Clean up area.

UNIT 5 — SMALL TREATS — 1 HOUR

Choose one of the following categories:

  • Themed Cupcakes or
  • Stacked Cupcakes or
  • Character Cupcakes

THEMED CUPCAKES

  • A. Decorate a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 regular size (2 ¾ inches) cupcakes in liners using frosting and edible materials.
  • B. Fondant and royal icing can be used only for decorations.
  • C. Cupcakes should be of a similar design or theme (themed cupcakes mean that there is a central idea between all the cupcakes; for example: animal theme, flower theme, Disney characters, cupcakes do not have to be all the same.)
  • D. Frosting must cover the cupcake and provide a base for decorations.
  • E. No non-edible materials can be used in Units 1-6.
  • F. Cupcakes can be displayed in a 6-cup muffin tin or in foil liners on sturdy paper/plastic plate.
  • G. Clean up area.

STACKED CUPCAKES

  • A. Decorate a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 cupcakes creating one design or theme where cupcakes are stacked on top of each other anddecorated using frosting and edible materials. (Experiment with using mini cupcakes and regular sized cupcakes when stacking.) Non-visible supports can be used to hold stacked cupcakes.
  • B. Fondant and royal icing can be used only for decorations.
  • C. Frosting must cover the cupcake and provide a base for decorations.
  • D. Cupcakes (at least 2 and not more than 4) stacked cupcakes should be secured with frosting on a display board.
  • Spatula painting and brush striping are optional.
  • E. No non-edible material can be used in Units 1-6.
  • F. Clean up area.

CHARACTER CUPCAKES

  • A. Decorate and develop a character or design using multiple cupcakes. Character Cupcakes are multiple individually decorated cupcakes that come together to create the character, (for example: cupcakes that create an alligator or scarecrow etc.)
  • B. Decorate using frosting and edible materials.
  • C. Frosting must cover the cupcake and provide a base for decorations.
  • D. Fondant and royal icing can be used only for decorations. No non-edible materials can be used in units 1-6.
  • E. Cupcake character must be displayed on one cake board with a maximum size of 9” x13”.
  • F. Clean up area.

UNIT 5 — SMALL TREATS — 1 HOUR

Choose one of the following categories:

  • Themed Cookies
  • Stacked Cookies

UNIT 5 — DECORATED THEMED COOKIES

  • A. Decorate a minimum of 3 and maximum of 6 regular size (3”) cookies. Cookies should be of a similar design or theme.
  • B. Decorate using frosting and edible materials.
  • C. Fondant and royal icing can be used only for decorations. No non-edible materials can be used in units 1-6.
  • D. Cookies should be displayed on a 12” disposable platter.
  • E. Clean up area.

UNIT 5 — DECORATED STACKED COOKIES

  • A. Decorate a minimum of 6” in height and maximum of 12” in height cookies creating one design or theme where cookies are stacked on top of each other.
  • B. Decorate using frosting and edible materials.
  • C. Frosting must cover the cookie and provide a base for decorations.
  • D. Fondant and royal icing can be used only for decorations. No non-edible materials can be used in units 1-6.
  • E. Cookies should be secured to a sturdy covered board for display not to exceed 12” x 12”.
  • F. Clean up area.

UNIT 6 — CUT-UP CAKES — 1 HOUR

  • A. One decorated cut-up cake using three different types of decorator tips (not different sizes of the same tips) using only edible materials. Non-edible internal supports are allowed but must not show.
  • B. No non-edible material can be used in units 1-6.
  • C. The member must provide a diagram or pattern of how the cake was cut.
  • D. Pieces may be cut, put together and crumb-frosted prior to contest.
  • E. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • F. Clean up area.

UNIT 7 — FLAT SURFACE AND NAIL FLOWERS — 1 HOUR

  • A. Two-layered 8”, 9” or 10” cake or cake form. Contestant may be asked to make a flower in front of the judge.
  • B. Cake may be crumb-frosted before, but base frosting must be applied as part of the contest.
  • C. Flowers may be made prior to the contest.
  • D. Use only edible materials except stamens on flowers. Stamens may be purchased or hand-made.
  • E. No Fondant
  • F. Decorate cake using a minimum of:
    • One flat surface flower
    • One flower made on a flat flower nail
    • One border
    • One side trim is required
    • Texturing is optional
    • No Fondant
  • G. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • H. Clean up area.

UNIT 8 — FONDANT — 1 HOUR

  • A. Decorate one two-layered cake or cake form, 8”, 9” or 10” round or square.
  • B. Cake can be prepared for fondant.
  • C. Cake must be covered in fondant as part of the contest.
  • D. Decorate using skills learned from Units 3-7 and fondant and gum paste decorations.
  • E. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • F. Clean up area.

UNIT 9 — LILY FLOWERS — 1 HOUR

  • A. One decorated two-layered 8”, 9”, 10” cake or cake form.
  • B. Completely decorate the cake using:
    • Flower made on a lily-flower nail is required
    • String work (cornelli, sota, or applique lace, etc.) is required.
    • Texturing is optional
  • Contestant may be asked to make a flower in front of the judge.
  • C. Cake may be frosted in advance or as part of the contest.
  • F. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • G. Clean up area.

UNIT 10 — TIERED CAKES — SENIORS ONLY — 1 ½ HOURS

  • A. Decorate one cake or cake form of three or more tiers of graduated sizes, using supports.
  • B. Cakes may be frosted in advance and supports placed.
  • C. Cake should be assembled and decorated as part of the contest.
  • D. Decorate cake using:
    • Supports and separator plates
    • Pillars (optional)
    • Flowers, borders, side trim as desired
  • E. Bottom Base Border is required.
  • F. Clean up area.

UNIT 11 — MOLDS — SENIORS ONLY — 1 HOUR

  • A. An edible molded or shaped object of any size or shape must be used.
  • B. The contestant may decorate a free-standing molded or shaped object as part of the contest or may use a molded object as part of a cake design. If using a cake, the cake may be frosted in advance, or as part of the contest.
  • C. Molding may be done in advance, but decoration should be applied as part of the contest.
  • D. Contestant should explain to the judge how the molding or shaping was done. Tell about the material used, whether ingredients were difficult to secure, how fast the material sets up, etc. If possible, demonstrate shaping of the selected material. Show the molds used.
  • E. Clean up area.

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