Hey all!! I am new to this site. My name is Brooke and I'm 25 years old. I want to learn how to make yummy cakes and decorate them. My best friend and I decorated my daughters cake last year for her 2nd bday. We used canned Icing and thickened it up with powdered sugar. It was good but it felt like we cheated. lol!! 
So I wanted to know if yall could help me get started?!
Thanks,
Brooke
PS~Here is the link to my photobucket Album and the pics of the cake me and my BF decorated!!
http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/lukenmedifsmom/
Hi and Welcome to CC, lukenmedifsmom.
Decoding CC acronyms:
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-2926-.html
Everything you need to know to make your 1st tiered/stacked/layer cake:
(Has cake and frosting recipes, and SO much more.)
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-605188-.html
Everything you ever wanted to know about meringue b/c's (and other frostings):
(With personal taste opinions and more.)
http://forum.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6011626-.html
Look forward to seeing your creations!
HTH
Thanks soooo much!!! I can't wait to read through everything!!!
Hi Brooke! Welcome to CC, better known as your new addiction! 
I would suggest looking through the galleries for ideas of cakes you want to try and pick one that is simple (I know, HARD to do!) 
Ask questions, search the forums and as one big name told me, practice practice practice!! Good luck!
Hi Brooke! Welcome to CC I'm new at this too and I am certifiably insane, and I blame this website, haha. Cheers!
Hi Brooke,
Welcome to CC, you're going to love it here. Happy baking/ decorating, can't wait to see what you create.
Hi Brooke! Welcome! Glad to have you. Happy Decorating!
Welcome Brooke!
Ask specific questions, we are all here to help!
Jen
Thank you all so much for such a warm welcome!!!
Can anyone give me some simple recipes for cakes and for BC? Thanks so much.
Also, anything extra that you think I might not know I probably don't so feel free to give me as much advice as you'd like!!! The only cakes I have ever made were out of a box and I have never even seen a recipe for BC so I am a true beginner.
In addition to the recipe search here, I use AllRecipes.com to find from-scratch cake recipes. It's wonderful because you're allowed to post pictures of the recipe and write reviews and ratings - I have yet to encounter a bad cake from that site As far as BC goes, my personal fave is "Julie's Less-Sweet Buttercream" from this site (just go to the Recipes tab up top and search). Happy baking
try the WASC (White Almond Sour Cream) cake recipe. It is a great recipe for beginners and it comes with variations.
the recipes on CC seem to be lost right now, but you can find it at
http://www.recipezaar.com/69630
Check the recipe forums -- there's every kind of cake and frosting recipe available!
Hi and welcome!
I can tell ya that you will definitely get addicted to this site!! It's great! I also use the recipes and forums for just about everything. As well as using allrecipes.com they are both wonderful!!!
One thing I will recommend to you is that if you really want to do successful stacked(tiered) cakes get you a set of the SugarShacks DVDs!!! Sharon is awesome and makes it easy to stack and ice cakes! I got her DVDs and they are like the bible now to me!!! She has a DVD for how to ice a cake with buttercream icing, she has one for fondant covering, and one for successfull stacking. She is also in the process of coming out with more! Which I am waiting with baited breath for!!!!
Don't ever be afraid to ask! We all love to help each other be succesful! i myself have asked many questions and have only had the warmest reception from fellow cc'rs.
Welcome again!
Happy caking!
MommaKristin
Hi Brooke,
The #1 most important thing I first picked up here is that you must use a "crusting" buttercream if you want to be able to really smooth it. You can use Viva papertowels and they will not stick if you let the icing crust. Some people also use a sponge-type paint roller rolled gently over the crusted icing. Canned icing does not crust, so you can never get the same results.
I second the opinion on Sugarshack's DVD's - amazing!
Good luck, and have fun!
~Julie
Thanks!! I did try the recipes here earlier and they weren't fully loading. I wasn't sure if it was my computer or not!
What would you recommend for me to try for my first cake? All the info is a little overwhelming!! lol!!
HI Brooke! Welcome to the site! You will LOVE it and it is truly addicting! There are many great recipes to choose from and many galleries with fabulous cakes that you can get ideas from! Everyone is very helpful, so just ask any questions that you may have...they will get answered! Good Luck 
Thanks!!! I have decided on the first cake I want to try!!! I am so excited!!!
Hi Brooke! I'm new to the site too and totally addicted!! I've tried the WASC cake - it is delicious! And Sharon aka Sugarshack totally rocks! I love, love, love her recipe for BC and her DVD's have helped me so much! I've also been inspired by so many great designs and amazing cake artists on this site. It's great! Welcome!
Kristi
Welcome I am new to the site to but not so new to cake decorating. I have been decorating for a 5 years. I am self taught. I by no means are as good as some of these fine decorators, but i hold my own. I have learned so much since i started hangging around this place lol . It is truely addicting. Practice Practice is my biggest advice for you. When I first started cake decorating I went to Sam's club and ordered a case of vanilla 1/2 sheet cakes pre baked (around $20.00) (you can also buy round cakes and other flavors as well) and quarted them and just practiced decorating on them (my family loved it cause everytime someone came over i sent a mini cake home with them). I just didnt see the point in making a fancy cake just to practice on (too expensive). You must learn the viva paper towel method for smothing cakes. Good luck If ever need help feel free to ask.
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