If you are like most of us, you have always dreamed of making the perfect buttercream icing for your cake. It is the kind you always see in the bakery but never seem to master at home. Well now, no matter what kind of day you have had or emergency situation you have faced, you can still end the day with a cake that has amazing bakery-level buttercream frosting every time you bake.

Most bakers are comfortable baking a cake; it’s the frosting and decorating that can be intimidating. Decorating a cake to look as good as it tastes can take a bit of practice, but it’s not difficult. We’ll show you a number of basic techniques that can give you a vast range of beautiful looks once you put them together.

Start by making two round cake layers from your favorite recipe.

Once they’re cool, wrap them well and place them in the refrigerator to firm up while you make some buttercream frosting. We’ve chosen an Italian buttercream because it spreads very easily, holds its shape when sculpted or piped, won’t separate or curdle when other flavors are added, and tastes wonderful. Confectioners’ sugar frostings take less time to put together, but are more difficult to work with for a truly polished look.

So check out this very well designed 3 page step-by-step processes, with plenty of photos to guide you along. It is easy to follow and gives you lots of options along the way. By the time you have gone through these instructions you will be amazed how easy it is to make flawless buttercream frosting every time.