Learning Vintage Cake Decorating
12th February 2025 - New Experience Number 1.
The first of my 52 new things for 2025 was an awesome Valentine’s Frillseeker Party which was all about learning the art of vintage cake decorating
Levelling up a delicious Victoria sponge, we would be icing and piping buttercream to decorate our cakes in our own interpretation of love.
What Is Vintage Cake Decorating?
If you’ve ever seen a cake that looks as though it has been covered in frilly icing, that’s usually the vintage style.
You might have heard of them as Lambeth cakes or Lambeth icing. This is reference to Joseph Lambeth, who shone a spotlight on the frilling technique, and wrote a book called “The Lambeth Method of Cake Decoration & Practical Pastries”, way back in 1934.
They look incredibly intricate and delicate, come in some outrageously impressive designs, and I was going to have a go at the technique!
The Four Letter Baker
Following The Four Letter Baker on instagram is an utter joy. She is a supremely talented cake artist based in North Yorkshire, and shares the amazing makes she creates for people celebrating an occasion and daring to be a little bit different.
Whipping up something new, she organised a Valentines Frillseeker party, in which she would guide us through the basics of vintage cake decorating so that we could take home our very own love themed cake.
Welcoming us in for the workshop, The Four Letter Baker, (also known as Michaela), set the tone for an exceptionally friendly and fun night.
Getting Started - Learning Vintage Cake Decorating
To begin, Michaela talked us through the preparation that she had done with the cakes to get them ready for the event. This included baking them from scratch, layering, adding the jam filling, and giving them a crumb coat. A what coat? I hadn’t heard of this before either.
It’s where a thin layer of buttercream is used to cover all of the outside of the cake. It helps to keep it moist and stops the crumbs from getting into the final icing layer. Genius!
The first thing we would be doing, was covering our individual 4 inch Victoria sponge cakes in a coloured buttercream icing. With a swift demonstration and making it look super easy, Michaela introduced us to the tools we needed and the method for creating a smooth icing layer.
Covering The Cake
Scooping a generous dollop of a creamy icing onto the top of the cake, I then spread it over the entire surface of the sponge ready to be perfected.
The concentration levels were high and my tongue was probably out as I placed the edge of the plastic scraper onto my cake as firmly as I dared. Slowly and steadily I turned the cake stand. It worked!
It needed neatening out, but already it was looking like a smoother base to work on.
Several rotations of the cake stand later, and many attempts to create the smoothest surface I possibly could, I was in danger of overworking it. Despite some imperfections, and a couple of gaps, I thought I’d best leave it while the going was good.
Frilling
Gathering around the counter again, Michaela introduced us to the different nozzles, and demonstrated the piping technique, creating some fabulous frilltastic decorative swirls. Again, she made it look so slick and simple as she gave us tips on the tools and techniques to use.
Back at our seats and using the practice sheets, this did not look promising. My piping was wobbly and uneven, looking more like a slug than a pretty decoration. I’m glad this was not on the actual cake!
Experimenting with some of the other techniques, I found one which I seemed to be marginally better at, and braced myself to commit the icing on the cake.
Holding my breath, I gently squeezed and moved the piping bag with one hand, and turned the cake stand with the other.
Layering - Learning Vintage Cake Decorating
I’d done it! I’d added a first frilly layer around the base of the cake. It was a similar height all the way around, even if the loops were a little uneven in their frequency,
Feeling a little more confident, I picked a different shade for my next frill which I piped around the top of the cake, and then added another sweet layer of icing around the base.
The piping bit felt like it was getting a little easier, even if my technique needed a lot more practice. It wasn’t the neatest, there were some odd blobs here and there, but it wasn’t bad for a novice!
Embellishing
Inspired by the lovely ladies on my table, I added what were meant to be hearts around the top of the cake.
I promise you I practiced on the clear sheet first and they looked like a heart, but when I tried to recreate the moves onto the cake they look more like those pink shrimp foam sweets that you can buy. Or an ear. Either way, they weren’t quite the obvious loved themed shape I’d hoped for, but at least they were fairly evenly spaced.
My last bit of piping was an attempt at some necklace like drops around the middle of the cake. I think I should have used a smaller nozzle to make a more delicate pattern.
The Glitz Bits
Lastly we added the finishing touches. There were sparkly shiny sugar balls, red sugar lips, pink sugar hearts, scrumptiously sweet cherries and non-edible disco balls to make our cakes look absolutely ace.
A particular favourite was the edible glitter spray which I think most of us applied liberally at the end, adding a spritz of sparkle.
The Finished Results
There it was. My first attempt at vintage cake decorating. It may not have been the neatest, but it was certainly unique, and it had been a totally brilliant event.
Huge kudos to The Four Letter Baker, as she had clearly put so much time and effort into making sure everything ran smoothly. Her enthusiasm for sharing all the top tips and handy hints was infectious and I’m sure it has inspired many of us to give it another go.
I loved seeing all of the finished cakes at the end. There were some fantastic designs and very talented participants.
A couple of people had even iced a message onto the top of their Victoria sponge, and they looked incredibly neat! Maybe that’s something for me to try next time?!
Feeling The Love - Learning Vintage Cake Decorating
I was on a table with a lovely bunch of ladies, and it was so nice to share the experience with them.
Offering reassurance and words of encouragement as we went through moments of uncertainty, and championing each other throughout the make. Everyone was really friendly and it was a fabulously fun night.
The Other Half was suitably impressed when I gave him the cake, and even more delighted when he tucked into the deliciousness. It didn’t last long!
Why You Should Try Vintage Cake Decorating
It’s a brilliant fun, mindful and creative experience, and you get to eat the delicious fruits of your labours!
You can unleash your creativity! Whatever your style, whatever your message, you can capture it on a cake! Who knows, you might also uncover a hidden talent!
If you’re looking for something a little bit different to do with friends, or an idea for a hen-do, then this is a brilliant experience to try.
Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly artistic or creative, you’ll be amazed at how decorative you can actually make a cake.
If you want to give someone a unique and personal gift, why not try vintage cake decorating? Make your mark in icing, and give it as a gift that will delight and impress the recipient!
Want To Try It Yourself?
- Follow The Four Letter Baker on Instagram. She’ll be sharing details of future frill seeking cake decorating workshops. If you are near North Yorkshire, it’s definitely work checking her out.
- Also take a look at The Four Letter Baker website, where you can see examples of her amazing bespoke cakes.
- Take a look on eventbright to see if there are any vintage cake decorating events happening near you.
Cost Of Experience
- The 3 hour workshop cost £49.46. It might look an odd number, but it was through eventbrite so included their fees.
- The price included a 4 inch cake which had been baked and crumb-coated. It also included all of the icing, decorations and tools for us to make our unique and individual valentine’s themed cakes.
- Prices will vary depending on who you book your experience with.
Recommendations
- Go big, go bawdy. When it comes to vintage cake decorating, more is definitely a good thing. Be free with your frills!
- Remember to breathe! It’s very easy to not realise you are holding your breath when you’re concentrating on the piping.
- Be prepared. Whilst this wasn’t especially messy, you might get some icing on yourself, so it’s probably a good idea not to wear your finest outfit.
- Enjoy! Take some pictures of your finished creations and let me know how you get on if you decide to give vintage cake decorating a go!
I haven’t baked a cake since high school, and when I did, I made a rainbow cake using lots of food dye, maybe too much food dye. If caused some shock and mild concern briefly the following day. If you catch my drift.
I didn’t know there was more than one style when it comes to icing a cake, so I’ve learnt something new today. I may have to do a cake baking class with my partner as a fun day thing. It’d be nice to relearn how to bake and the best ways to decorate said cake. You never know. Maybe I’ll be doing that real or cake thing one day ha ha ha
Ha ha!! I catch your drift!
That sounds like a great idea to try it with your partner, whichever icing technique you use!
Some of those real or cakes are amazing – some are a lot less impressive too! Ha ha!
Thanks for reading and for the comment
Sally :o)
I love baking, but I only do the bare minimum when it comes to icing and decorating a cake. It would be fun to take a class on cake decorating, and it does look like you had a nice time! You did a good job, and the cake looks delicious!
I’m usually a very minimal decorator of cakes too!
I hope you might get to have a go at a class like this, it really was such a great experience, (with delicious results too!).
Thank you as always for reading and commenting. I always appreciate it.
Sally :o)