In the world of cake decorating, there is probably no more misunderstood and misused term than ?Sugarcraft.?
Is sugarcraft just another word for icing?
Is it a type of cake decoration?
If you troll through the countless threads appearing on cake decorating forums, sugarcraft questions appear frequently.
Quite simply, sugarcraft is an intricate form of cake decorating that utilizes three-dimensional modeling. The art of sugarcraft stands in sharp contrast to more basic styles of decoration.
A basic design often employs a series of icing dots that form an overall pattern, whereas the sugarcraft style takes the extra step of modeling figures onto the cake. Several professional cake decorators compare sugarcraft to the art of sculpting.
Sugarcraft uses a type of icing dough known as rolled fondant. In relation to cake decorating and sugarcraft, fondant is a type of icing that can be used both for covering cakes and for making icing decorations. It is manipulated much in the same way as play-dough.
Sugarcraft decorators will roll fondant into sheets and drape over cakes or cut and shape to make icing decorations such as ribbons, flowers, and bows. Any decent sugarcraft manual worth its weight in icing will suggest preparing fondant in advance and storing it within an airtight container in the refrigerator.
When preparing a rolled fondant for sugarcraft decorating, it is best to avoid using any liquid food coloring. Liquid food coloring can turn fondant into a runny mess, so it is best to use coloring paste.
The learning curve for the sugarcraft decorating style can be steep and frustrating. Unlike the popular ?decorate-by-number? style that is built around an easy-to-follow pattern, sugarcraft takes visual guidance and months of practice.
For those serious about learning the art of sugarcraft, established decorators often suggest investing in a step-by-step cake decorating video/DVD or signing up for a class specializing in the sugarcraft method.
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