Cake Decorating Classes: How They Work and Why You Should Take One

Back in summer 2022, I enrolled in a six-week cake decorating class at a nearby community college. Up until that point, I’d enjoyed playing around with piping tips and frosting recipes.

But I felt stuck. There was only so much I could learn from watching Instagram reels and YouTube videos.

I needed a true professional to show me, guide me, correct me, and support me — and I found just that through my class.

In those six weeks, I learned more about cake decorating than I ever thought I would, from basic and more advanced piping techniques, to how to properly freeze cake layers, to how to get those luscious, rich hues in your buttercream. (See my final cake for the class above.)

Now, I strongly believe every home baker, regardless of whether you plan to open a cottage bakery or not, should take at least one cake decorating class in their lifetime.

What Is a Cake Decorating Class?

A cake decorating class is a one-off lesson or short series of lessons that teaches you how to decorate cakes. Most classes are geared toward hobbyists and budding cottage bakers.

The class I took focused exclusively on decorating with buttercream — no fondant — but you might be able to find a class that covers all types of decorating or the particular techniques you want to learn.

Overview of Cake Decorating Classes
Length	Anywhere from a few hours (one-off class) to several weeks (short series of individual lessons)
Location	Community colleges (usually continuing education department or equivalent), culinary schools, community centers, cake shops and bakeries, online, etc.
Cost	Varies depending on length, but typically $30-$300+
Level	Most cake decorating classes target beginners, but you may be able to find advanced cake decorating classes
Skills Gained	How to bake and store a cake, how to make buttercream, how to use piping tips and other cake decorating tools, how to pipe common shapes and objects (like flowers), etc.

Where Can You Take Cake Decorating Classes?

You can typically find cake decorating classes at:

• Local community colleges and culinary schools
• Local community centers
• Cake shops and bakeries
• Online through reputable companies like Wilton, Cozymeal, and Udemy

I recommend opting for an in-person class so your instructor can easily watch you practice the techniques you learn and provide direct feedback.

How Much Do Cake Decorating Classes Cost?

Cake decorating classes are usually pretty affordable. Naturally, you’ll spend less on a one-off lesson that lasts a few hours than you would on a course that lasts 1-2 months.

Single classes lasting 2-3 hours tend to cost $30-$100. Longer courses, like the program I enrolled in, cost more, typically a few hundred dollars. (Mine was $315.)

Remember, too, that there might be additional supplies costs.

What Do You Learn in a Cake Decorating Class?

Most cake decorating classes target beginners, so you can expect to learn a broad array of techniques.

Basic skills you might gain in a cake decorating class include:

• How to bake a cake (and sometimes cupcakes) using one or more recipes
• How to store cake layers to decorate at a later time
• How to stack cake layers
• How to make various frostings (American buttercream, Swiss meringue, etc.)
• How to frost a cake, including how to do a crumb coat
• How to use gel food coloring
• How to use piping tips to create various shapes and patterns
• How to fix common mistakes (e.g., buttercream is too soft)

This is not an exhaustive list of what you’ll learn in a cake decorating class, but these are the main things I learned in mine.

Why Should You Take a Cake Decorating Class?

So, why exactly should you take a cake decorating class? After all, most people can learn by watching videos and practicing on their own, right?

Here are my top four reasons you should consider enrolling in a cake decorating class.

I believe asking questions is one of the best ways to learn. And with a cake decorating class, you have access to a highly experienced teacher who can answer any questions you have about cakes, baking, and more.

During my class, I regularly asked my teacher — who appeared on an episode of “Cake Wars”! — for advice on things like how to best color frosting, how to change your buttercream’s consistency, and how to properly store a cake in a freezer.

It isn’t always easy finding like-minded bakers to socialize with, but a cake decorating class can introduce you to folks with the same interests as you.

Even better if you take an in-person class, as that means you’ll meet baking enthusiasts in your community.

I love cake decorating reels as much as the next baker, but there’s no denying they can be deceiving. Most reels are sped up and edited to remove common mistakes and to downplay waiting periods that often accompany cake decorating.

With a cake decorating class, you get to see, in real time, how long it takes to actually bake a cake, make frosting, and decorate it.

If there’s one thing a reel can’t give you it’s feedback on what you create.

Cake decorating classes are great for beginners who need a lot of coaching, correcting, and confidence-building. I regularly received feedback on my buttercream flowers and was always grateful to learn what I was doing wrong and how I could improve.

Should You Take a Cake Decorating Class?

I encourage every home baker to take a cake decorating class — but it’s not for everyone.

Here are some factors to help you decide whether enrolling in a class is best for you.

• Are dedicated to improving your cake decorating skills
• Are a beginner who wants to master the basics
• Learn best with a teacher in a traditional classroom setting
• Can afford the cost and time commitment
• Want to meet and socialize with other bakers in your community

Skip the Cake Decorating Class if You …

• Don’t really care to make better, prettier cakes
• Are a more advanced baker
• Prefer learning independently rather than in a classroom setting
• Can’t afford the cost or time commitment
• Have minimal or zero interest in meeting other bakers