There are many dozens of techniques for decorating cakes. Below are some of the simpler, more commonly used techniques. In the next chapter and in the accompanying illustrations, you will see examples of these and other techniques.
A frequently used way of organizing the decoration of a cake is to divide the cake into portions by marking the icing on top with the back of a long knife. First mark the cake in quarters. Then divide each quarter in half, thirds, or fourths, depending on the size of the cake and the number of pieces desired.