Kickin’ it Old School

I am an old fashioned girl.  I am strict with my kids, love singing in church choir, knitting, and broccoli salad.  I had someone at my church recently tell me I am the oldest 38 year old they have ever met.

I took that as a huge compliment. :)

That old style translates to some of my taste in cake design.  One older style that I have always loved is Cornelli lace.  I had it on my wedding cake.  I love piping it.   I think it’s timeless.  So when my long time friend wanted a baptism cake and gave me creative freedom, what do you think I chose?  That’s right!  I laced it up, baby!  My hand ached 2/3 of the way through and I had fleeting thoughts of regret, but I persevered and was very happy with the result.  Here’s how you do it.

Ice your cake and smooth it as usual.

Cornelli 1

I used a #3 tip.  I then started squiggling away!  It’s easier to tell what not to do than what to do.

Do NOT make a pattern.

Do NOT touch or cross your line.

Do NOT over think this.

Just squirm the icing all over in little squiggles.  Make it as random as possible.

Cornelli 2

Make sure you let the piping lat over the edges.  You don’t want it to look like the top is separate from the rest of the cake.

Cornelli 3

That’s all there is to it!  It’s hard to mess up.  It looks timeless and elegant…in my humble opinion.  Feel free to practice on parchment or wax paper first until you are more comfortable with it.

Cornelli Lace Cross

Good luck and happy decorating!