Hello all,

I am hoping to make a (closed) book cake for my aunt, but I think the cover will be too elaborate for me to do with my rookie decorating skills. I don't want to use fondant, but I have heard it is possible to paint on buttercream.

Does anyone have any tips for painting on buttercream? I know I should mix food coloring or gel with vodka. Any other tips? Or any other ideas for replicating a picture on a book cover?

Thank you so much!

You COULD just thin the colored buttercream and use that as paint. See the clown skull and calulator in my photos.

Oh those are great! I won't be doing anything that ambitious, but I think I will try your suggestion. Thank you for the input!

I have used airbrush colors painted on buttercream. (Skateboard cake in photos.)

I like the airbrush colors because they are already thinned, ready to use and seem to dry better for me.

You wan to use a soft brush and a light touch.