Fruit decorations: photo. Decorating cakes with fruits

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Since the time when the decoration of dishes with vegetables and fruits carried a sacred and religious meaning, more than one century has passed. Today, this practice has become the art of giving the finished dish an aesthetic and elegant look. With the help of various techniques, chefs and confectioners create unique masterpieces that amaze the imagination. However, anyone can try their hand at creating a culinary creation at home, you just need to be patient. In this article, you will learn how to decorate dishes yourself using various techniques and surprise guests with your skill.

Decoration of fruit dishes: a bit of history

The history of culinary development goes back several thousand years. Since the time of the Roman Empire, the approach to decorating dishes has been seriously transformed under the influence of cultural and spiritual changes in the minds of people. At that time, the cake was more like bread flavored with honey, molasses or dried fruit, and not a culinary product that we are used to seeing on the shelves of pastry shops.

The first real jewelryfor cakes were created in Great Britain in the XIV century during the reign of Elizabeth I. It was then that such desserts began to be prepared for royal receptions, paying special attention to their appearance. The first attempts to decorate the cake used almond flour-based paste, known today as marzipan. At the same time, table decoration with fruits and vegetables was actively developed.

Dessert designs became especially popular in the 17th century, when wedding cakes came into fashion. So, it was customary to decorate the groom's cake in dark colors using dark chocolate. And the confectionery for the bride was traditionally made airy, decorated in light colors using cream.

DIY fruit decoration

Today, almost every housewife can give the cake a festive look at home. And for this it is absolutely not necessary to master special techniques and techniques.

An ordinary biscuit cake with butter or sour cream can be decorated with kiwi or banana slices. A combination of orange and strawberry slices will look unusual. In terms of decorating dishes, everything is limited only by the imagination of the cook. You can fix your masterpiece with a special sugar solution or fruit jelly.

The combination of fruit and chocolate looks very piquant. To do this, just put sliced oranges, strawberries or other fruits of your choice on the cake and pour over them with melted chocolate and cream. Such a decoration of cakes with fruits, photos of which, perhaps, everyone has seen today, will becomethe main highlight of any feast.

Recently, various design techniques for decorating dishes have gained great popularity. For example, such a fruit decoration method as carving. Thanks to this technique, anyone can learn how to create unique compositions that will impress even the most demanding gourmet.

What is carving?

This art came to modern cooking from China. The word "carving" itself comes from the English "curving", which means "hand carving". This word refers to the curly cutting of fruits and vegetables to decorate various dishes and desserts.

There are carving schools in any metropolis. In just a few lessons, you will be taught how to create your own spectacular culinary masterpieces using special tools. However, you can learn the art of carving fruits and vegetables on your own. The main thing is to show imagination by creating fruit decorations. Simple floral and plant motifs will be a great addition to the festive table.

Carving tools

To master this technique, you will need special tools. An ordinary kitchen knife will not be able to give fruit such an elegant shape as specially sharpened blades. So here is a list of basic carving tools:

• Thai knife with a pointed shape. With this tool, the basic elements of carving are performed.
• Noisette knife for making round cuts. Also used to create fruit balls.
• Carb knives are used to shape fruits and vegetables into petals and leaves.
• Cutting knife used to create grooves and patterns.
• Cutter for chip removal.
• Spirals for carving, giving a spiral shape to future products.

In addition to the listed tools, culinary and manicure scissors, tweezers, an awl and even scalpels made of medical alloy are often used. As materials, any fruits and vegetables that can be shaped are used. If you decide to try your hand at carving, then be sure to purchase the necessary set of tools.

Basic moves

The techniques used in home carving are quite simple, but still require some skill. Fruit can be used to create elegant floral arrangements for decorating cakes and desserts.

One of the techniques taught to beginners is the creation of a chrysanthemum. To do this, you can use an ordinary apple, which must first be peeled. Previously, the fetus is fixed on a horizontal surface. Then, moving in a spiral, you need to carefully pinch off the leaves of the future chrysanthemum with manicure or culinary scissors. In this case, you can control the length and thickness of each petal.

Graceful roses can be created from a pear by cutting it into thin slices and rolling it like flower petals. In this case, it is not necessary to peel the fruit from the peel, whichwill give a special look to the finished product. You can fix the rose at the base with a toothpick or caramel.

You can decorate the cake in an unusual way thanks to the noisette knife, which is used to make fruit balls. For this, watermelon or melon is usually used. The fruit should be firm enough for the balls to hold their shape.

You can use strawberries to create leaves for flowers. The shape of this berry in cutting resembles a leaf. It remains only to give the desired shape and make grooves with a fluting knife.

Every carving master has his own techniques, which are developed as a result of many years of experience. Therefore, do not despair if the first time you fail to create your plan. Be patient and practice making fruit decorations. Photos of carving masters' products will help you create beautiful compositions at home.

How to maintain fruit decor?

Any culinary creation quickly loses its appearance. Therefore, the only disadvantage of fruit decoration is its fragility. Dessert with fruit flowers should be served immediately, otherwise it will lose its shape and freshness. However, there are some tricks that will help keep such jewelry alive.

If the fruit composition is made in a horizontal plane, then you can fill it with jelly, which is sold in any supermarket. Thus, the effect of glass will be obtained, and the cake will be able to stand in the refrigerator for several days.

The voluminous fruit composition can also be saved with a simple recipe. To do this, you need to prepare sugar caramel by heating 10 tablespoons of sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of water over low heat. The resulting mixture, while still warm, should be applied to the fruit with a brush. When the sugar coating cools, it will create a protective layer on the fruit in the form of a hardened candy.

In addition to the above methods, you can use a special carving glaze, which is sold in culinary stores. It allows you to preserve compositions without caramelization, leaving the natural look and taste of fruit.

Marzipan cake decor

In addition to decorating with fruits, you can give the cake a festive look with marzipan products. Traditionally, this product is made from almond flour mixed with water and powdered sugar. The resulting mass is kneaded to the state of elastic plasticine, from which it is convenient to sculpt various figures. Such almond dough can be colored with food coloring, which will allow you to create any bright compositions. Marzipan keeps well in the refrigerator. At the same time, its taste properties do not change at all.

Chocolate cake decoration

In order to decorate a cake with chocolate, it is not necessary to be a professional confectioner. It is enough to buy a bar of your favorite dark or milk chocolate and melt it in a water bath or in a microwave. The resulting mass can be given any shape by pouring itin a thin stream onto parchment paper. When the chocolate figures have hardened, they can decorate a ready-made cake.

Chocolate figures and fruit cuts are very beautifully combined, giving desserts a piquant and very appetizing look.

Cream cake decoration

With the help of a pastry syringe, any cake or pastry can be turned into a work of art. Traditionally, an oil-based cream is used for this. To prepare it, you will need 200 grams of butter, 0.5 cups of powdered sugar and 5 tablespoons of condensed milk. All ingredients must be mixed with a mixer until a thick cream is formed that is able to hold its shape. Before use, it is recommended to keep it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Thanks to the various nozzles that are attached to the confectionery syringe, you can give the cream any shape. As a rule, confectioners apply it on the side of the dessert, and decorate cakes with fruits on top. Photos of culinary masterpieces from around the world will help the beginner create their own unique dessert.

Tips for Beginners

• If you decide to learn the art of decorating cakes, then stock up on the necessary equipment - a set of carving tools, parchment paper and a pastry syringe.
• Try experimenting with color and flavor combinations. Over time, you will find the perfect pairing of fruits.

• Be sure to fix fruit compositions with jelly or caramel. This way your creation will last longer.
• Try making different fruit decorations. The photos of the culinary products given in our article will help you find inspiration for creating your own masterpiece.