Blog Layout
Spotlight on Stencilling
Caroline Halliday • 12 May 2020
Spotlight on Stencilling
Hello, and welcome to my first blog post! I've been thinking for a while about what to write, and stencilling seemed the obvious choice. I've recently designed a new stencil range for the fabulous Evil Cake Genius and am very excited about the launch of this (check out evilcakegenius.com
and search 'Cake Halliday').
Cake stencils come in all shapes, sizes and designs, and they are a beautiful way of adding intricate detail to a cake. From delicate floral patterns to bold repeated geometric shapes, lettered monograms to jolly santas or snowflakes. It's even possible to stencil fine text onto a cake using the high quality mesh stencils which are available. These produce the most intricately detailed patterns.
There are a few different ways of applying colour to a cake through a stencil, each one a little bit different, giving a slightly different result. One of the most popular stencilling methods is to use royal icing as the colouring medium. The consistency of the icing needs to be thick enough not to run underneath the stencil yet thin enough to enable it to be applied smoothly and evenly. Great care needs to be taken to ensure a result that isn't patchy or smudged.
One of the main disadvantages of the royal icing method as opposed to any other stencilling method is that there is time pressure involved - when using royal icing the clock starts ticking as soon as stencilling begins with a requirement to transfer the pattern onto the cake in a flawless manner before the royal icing begins to dry, potentially ruining the result.
One of the alternative methods is to airbrush colour directly on to the cake through the stencil. This can give a lovely delicate effect but care should be taken to secure the stencil properly and to angle the airbrush in just the right direction to avoid blurring the edges of the pattern.
One method of applying bright metallics through a stencil is to smear a very thin layer of shortening (Trex in the UK) onto all exposed areas of the cake and then carefully apply metallic edible lustre dust to these areas with a soft brush. The result is vibrant and eye catching.
The list goes on. Petal dust can be sparingly applied through the stencil cut outs on to the cake or edible watercolour can be dabbed very sparingly into the gaps taking care it doesn't run.
Another thing to consider is colour choice. What look are you going for on your cake? Soft and subtle (gentle pastels or white on white?); lavish and opulent (striking metallics?); bold and clean lined (black on white?); bright and cheery (primary shades?).
Whatever your cake design there will be a stencil and a stencilling method to coordinate with and complement its style. A beautiful and effective way to create an intricate pattern on your cake.
