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Buttercream Terrazzo Cake Tutorial

March 16, 2020 · In: Featured, Tutorials

Terrazzo patterns seem to be everywhere these days, and I am all for it. These pretty mosaic prints were originally popularized in the early 1900’s as a trendy floor tile design. Nowadays you’ll find terrazzo prints on walls, ceramics, furniture finishes, and all the things. I’ve been dying to incorporate it into a cake design for awhile now, so when JOANN asked me to create a project for National Craft Month I knew it was the perfect time to make my terrazzo cake dreams come true! I stocked up on some essential Wilton supplies and got right to work on this beauty.

terrazzo cake by Sugar and Sparrow

I am so, so happy with how this cake turned out! The vast majority of terrazzo cakes I’ve seen before have been made with fondant (and they do look amazing!), but since I’m such a buttercream nerd I really wanted to see if I could create the look entirely with frosting. I’m glad I challenged myself, because I figured out a technique that works so well! By creating the print with buttercream on parchment paper, I was able to transfer it onto the top and sides of my cake and get a smooth terrazzo print all over. Just imagine all the amazing color palettes this design will work with!

colorful terrazzo cake tutorial
terrazzo buttercream cake tutorial

This terrazzo technique is super easy, but I will admit that using it on both the top and sides of the cake can be a little time consuming. It essentially involves creating large buttercream transfers (one for the top and one to wrap around the sides) and ironing them onto the cake with a Wilton fondant smoother. Most of your time is spent waiting for those transfers to firm up in the refrigerator until they’re just the right consistency to work with. If you’re short on time, using this technique on only the sides will give you that same terrazzo look while saving you half the time! Either way, this terrazzo technique is going to make your cake next level.

how to make a terrazzo cake

Here’s a quick video of the decorating process for you to visualize the technique before you read all about it below:

If you’re into cake decorating videos like this one, be sure to check out my YouTube Channel! You’ll find tons of videos to inspire you there, and make sure you never miss a new one by clicking the Subscribe button.  

You Will Need: 

  • 6-inch cake that’s been crumb coated and chilled
  • 1.5 batches of vanilla buttercream
  • Wilton Color Right Food Color System 
  • Bowls and spoons for color mixing 
  • Parchment paper
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • A ruler and a piece of string for measuring
  • 6-inch cardboard cake circle
  • Wilton Tip 2 (x5) 
  • Piping Bags 
  • Angled Icing Spatula
  • Wilton Fondant Smoother

Step 1: Create a Buttercream Color Palette

Reserve 2.5 Cups of buttercream and divide the rest evenly amongst separate bowls, one per color of your terrazzo tiles. I decided to use five different colors in my design, so I divided my buttercream into five different bowls and used the Wilton Color Right System to color each one.

wilton color right system with buttercream

The Wilton Color Right System is best for creating custom colors, and it comes with a handy chart to help you mix just the right amounts to get the color you have in mind. For example, to get the muted pink tone I mixed a little of the Pink with the tiniest bit of Brown to create more of a dusty rose color. 

buttercream piping with Wilton Tip 2

Mix away until you’ve got the ideal color palette, then add each color into a separate piping bag fitted with Wilton Tip 2. 

Step 2: Measure and Cut the Parchment Paper

Before you start piping away, you’ll first need to cut out parchment paper to fit the top and sides of your cake. Measuring the top is easy if you have a cardboard cake circle that’s the same size as the diameter of your cake. Simply trace the cake circle onto a piece of parchment paper and cut it out. 

measure and cut parchment paper round
how to cut a parchment paper round

For the sides, you’ll need a ruler and a piece of string. Measure the height of your cake with the ruler, then wrap a string around your cake and mark where it comes together before measuring it with the ruler. This will give you the height and circumference of your cake’s sides. Add about ½ inch to the height measurement and 1 inch to the circumference measurement, then trace the dimensions onto wax paper and cut it out. You’ll now have a strip of parchment paper that’s sized just a tiny bit bigger than you need (trust me on this!) to create your terrazzo pattern on. 

Step 3: Pipe the Terrazzo Colors

Starting with the circular piece, use your piping bags to create random terrazzo-inspired shapes all over the parchment paper. Be sure to leave some blank spaces in between to give the shapes just the right amount of space. It helps to pull up some images of terrazzo patterns for inspiration.

buttercream terrazzo pattern
how to pipe buttercream terrazzo pattern

Once your terrazzo tiles are piped on, place the parchment into the refrigerator to firm up for about 20 minutes. This part is important for making sure the tiles maintain their perfect shapes during the next step. 

Step 4: Frost the Parchment Paper 

When your terrazzo tiles are nice and firm, spread the reserved buttercream over top of them, creating a ¼ inch thick layer of frosting over the entire piece of parchment paper. Make sure the buttercream is as smooth as possible and don’t be afraid to apply a little pressure to help fill in all the spaces between the color tiles.

frosting the parchment round
smoothing the parchment round

Then, place the frosted parchment pieces back into the refrigerator for another 10 minutes, but no longer. You want to make sure the buttercream is firm enough to work with, but not so firm that it doesn’t adhere to the cake easily. 

Step 5: Transfer the Terrazzo Pattern to the Top

Add a super thin layer of fresh buttercream frosting to the top of the cake to act as glue, then place the circular Terrazzo parchment on top, buttercream side down.

add frosting to top of cake
add buttercream transfer to top of cake

Use the Wilton Fondant smoother to press the parchment down so it adheres to the top of the cake perfectly, then place the cake back into the refrigerator for another 10 minutes. If you feel like the top needs to be flatter, you can put a weight (like a couple soup cans) into a cake pan that’s the same diameter as your cake and place it on top. This will keep just the right amount of pressure on it while it sets in the fridge.

smoothing buttercream transfer

After it’s firmed up, carefully peel back the parchment paper to reveal your beautiful buttercream terrazzo!

how to make a terrazzo buttercream transfer

Step 6: Create the Terrazzo Pattern on the Sides

Repeat steps 3 and 4 using the strip of parchment paper you previously prepared for the sides of the cake.

how to make terrazzo buttercream transfer wrap
how to make a buttercream transfer wrap for cake
how to make a buttercream wrap for cake

After its last trip to the refrigerator, where it’s semi-set, apply a thin layer of fresh buttercream to the sides of the cake for glue.

frosting the sides of cake

Wrap the parchment (buttercream side down) around the circumference of the cake and be sure to pull it as tightly as you can so it makes contact with every inch of those sides. You can secure the parchment with binder clips if you need to, but mine really stayed put once I had it wrapped.

terrazzo buttercream wrap tutorial
printed buttercream wrap cake decorating tutorial

Smooth the terrazzo wrap with the Wilton Fondant smoother and place it back into the refrigerator for a final 10 minutes.

how to wrap cake with buttercream

Now that the wrap is nice and set, gently peel the parchment paper off the cake to reveal those gorgeous terrazzo sides.

how to wrap a cake with buttercream terrazzo

Finally, use a paring knife to cut away the excess buttercream around the top edge. This part is essential for making sure you’ve got perfect, sharp edges.

buttercream terrazzo cake tutorial
buttercream cake covered in terrazzo

Just look at that pretty buttercream terrazzo transfer!

buttercream terrazzo cake tutorial by Sugar and Sparrow

This technique works in all sorts of color palettes and cake sizes, so let your imagination run wild with this one. And if you’re in need of a few things on the list, be sure to check out the amazing selection of cake decorating supplies at your local JOANN store or shop their online collection! It’s a one stop shop for everything you need for this cake design and then some. Happy National Craft Month, everyone! 

terrazzo cake tutorial with buttercream

Disclaimer: I was compensated by JOANN for my work of creating this project, styling, filming, photographing, and writing about their products. As always, all opinions are honest and my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support Sugar & Sparrow.

By: Whitney · In: Featured, Tutorials · Tagged: buttercream cake, buttercream terrazzo cake, buttercream transfer, cake decorating, cake decorating tutorial, fondant smoother, JOANN, printed cake, terrazzo cake, wilton, wilton tip 2

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Comments

  1. Pam says

    May 15, 2020 at 11:09 am

    I have subscribed but have never received any emails with tutorials.
    Just curious as to whether or not you received my information.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Whitney says

      May 16, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      Hi Pam! Thanks for subscribing! I’ve got your info and you’ll be receiving an email as soon as I whip one up. Between pregnancy and my full time day job I can’t seem to get them out as regularly as I’d like to, but they’re coming!

      Reply
  2. Beulah says

    August 7, 2020 at 9:07 am

    Awesome. Thanks

    Reply

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My 9 year old niece, Evy, wanted to make the snick My 9 year old niece, Evy, wanted to make the snickerdoodle cake from my book with me and it was so so special! ♥️ She did it ALL – made the cake batter, added the cinnamon sugar swirl into the cake pans, filled and stacked the cake layers, crumb coated, and decorated the cake (which included ROLLING the cake through the cinnamon-sugar topping) 👏🏼🥳 we had so much fun + I couldn’t be more proud of her!⁣
⁣
Recipe for this Snickerdoodle Cake on pg. 166 of my book, “Anyone Can Cake”! ⁣
⁣
⁣#snickerdoodlecake #snickerdoodle #cakedecorating #bakinglove #cake #cakelover #anyonecancake #littlechef #bakingwithkids #buttercreamcake #layercake #cakeideas #cakesofinstagram #baking
CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM 🎂 this frosting recipe CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM 🎂 this frosting recipe is so delicious and stable enough for cake decorating – filling, frosting, AND piping! There are a couple things that make it extra stable: brick-style cream cheese (not the spread) and cornstarch ✨ Pair it with the carrot cake recipe in my last Reel for a VERY good time: ⁣
⁣
CREAM CHEESE BUTTERCREAM⁣
YIELD: 3 Cups⁣
⁣
INGREDIENTS: ⁣
1/2 Cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature⁣
8 Oz (226g) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature brick-style, not the spread⁣
4 Cups (480g) powdered sugar⁣
1/4 Cup (32g) cornstarch optional*⁣
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
1/4 tsp salt⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS:⁣
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese on medium-high until light, fluffy, and uniform (no lumps), about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, sift together the powdered sugar and cornstarch (if using).⁣
2. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture a few cups at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the bowl and paddle as needed. Add the vanilla and salt and mix on low for another minute, until fully combined and smooth.⁣
⁣
*Cornstarch helps thicken the consistency of the cream cheese buttercream without adding any flavor. I highly recommend it if you’re using this frosting to pipe intricate details.⁣
⁣
Click the link in my bio for the full recipe + cake pairing ideas https://sugarandsparrow.com/cream-cheese-buttercream-recipe/⁣
⁣
⁣#creamcheesefrosting #creamcheesebuttercream #cakedecorating #bakinglove #cakes #cakelovers #creamcheese #buttercream #frosting #cakeideas #cakesofinstagram #bake #baking
CARROT CAKE (recipe below) 🥕🎂 Y’all have b CARROT CAKE (recipe below) 🥕🎂 Y’all have been asking for a carrot cake recipe for YEARS and I finally whipped one up for my book, Anyone Can Cake. It’s perfectly spiced, has an extra moist crumb, and is just heavenly with cream cheese frosting. I ate an embarrassing amount during filming 😬😏⁣
⁣
CARROT CAKE⁣
YIELD: 3 6-inch layers or 2 8-inch layers⁣
⁣
INGREDIENTS⁣
2 1/2 Cups (333g) all purpose flour⁣
2 tsp (10g) baking powder⁣
1 tsp baking soda⁣
1/2 tsp salt⁣
2 tsp ground cinnamon⁣
1 tsp ground nutmeg⁣
1 tsp ground ginger⁣
1/4 tsp cloves⁣
1/2 Cup (100g) granulated sugar⁣
1 1/2 Cups (300g) packed brown sugar⁣
1 Cup (240ml) vegetable oil⁣
4 large eggs, room temperature⁣
3/4 Cup (135g) smooth unsweetened applesauce⁣
1 tsp pure vanilla extract⁣
2 Cups (260g) grated carrots (about 4 large)⁣
⁣
INSTRUCTIONS:⁣
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/177ºF. Grease and line three 6-inch (15cm) or two 8-inch 20cm) cake pans. ⁣
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. In another large bowl, whisk together the white and brown sugars, vegetable oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla. ⁣
3. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula until just combined, then fold in the grated carrots.⁣
4. Pour the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.⁣
⁣
Pair with my fave cream cheese buttercream recipe at https://sugarandsparrow.com/cream-cheese-buttercream-recipe/⁣
⁣
#carrotcake #creamcheesefrosting #carrotcakerecipe #eastercake #cakeideas #anyonecancake #baking #bake #layercake #bakedfromscratch #cakelover
[CLOSED! Congratulations @liv.goodmann 👏🏽] A [CLOSED! Congratulations @liv.goodmann 👏🏽] Anyone Can Cake x Wilton GIVEAWAY 🥳 @wiltoncakes has been a HUGE part of my cake journey and I’m extra excited to gift ONE lucky winner every Wilton tool they could possibly need to make ⁣perfect layer cakes!⁣
⁣
ONE lucky winner will get everything in this Reel:⁣ ⁣
✨Gold piping tip set⁣
✨Cake turntable⁣
✨Navy and gold icing spatula set ⁣
✨Color Right Performance Food Coloring Set⁣
✨Icing comb set⁣
✨Icing smoother⁣
✨Cake leveler⁣
✨Set of two 8-inch cake pans⁣
✨a SIGNED copy of my book, Anyone Can Cake⁣
⁣
TO ENTER:⁣
⁣⁣1️⃣ LIKE this post⁣ ⁣
2️⃣ FOLLOW @sugarandsparrowco and @wiltoncakes⁣
3️⃣ TAG a couple friends who would love this prize below in separate comments. One comment = one entry ⁣⁣ ⁣
4️⃣ BONUS for commenting where you’re at in your cake decorating journey!⁣
⁣
That’s it! Ends March 25th at 11:59pm PST and is open to US residents only (sorry to my worldwide friends!). I’ll reach out to the winner via DM to claim the prize and if it’s you, please respond within 24 hours to claim. 🎉 Must be 18 or older. Not sponsored by Wilton or Instagram. Best of luck to all 🎉⁣
⁣
⁣#wiltoncakes #cakedecorating #cakes #cakelover #anyonecancake #cookbook #cake #sprinkles #cake #cookbookauthor #bakersofinstagram #bake #baking
(Ad) Buttercream Embroidery Cake Tutorial🧵🌸🎂 to celebrate March being National Craft Month, I decided to try out some new buttercream piping techniques and make the embroidery cake of my dreams! It ended up being so fun + easy with the perfect cake decorating supplies from @joann_stores 🙌🏼 Here’s how to make this happy little Spring-inspired cake:⁣
⁣
1️⃣ Frost your cake with a smooth buttercream finish and chill for at least 20 minutes.⁣
2️⃣ Use floral cookie cutters to imprint the buttercream.⁣
3️⃣ Outline the shapes using Wilton tip 2 or 3, then fill in the shapes with lines of buttercream piping. For some of the flowers, start at the edge of the shape and pipe a series of lines that connect in the center. For others, experiment with ways to fill in the shape with parallel lines, dots, or other embroidery-inspired piping. ⁣
4️⃣ Freehand some tiny dotted flowers and floral accents using those same piping techniques wherever your heart desires!⁣
⁣
The full tutorial + video for this pretty floral embroidery cake is linked in my bio! It’s the perfect way to welcome Spring 🌸⁣
⁣
#handmadewithjoann #joannpartner #embroidery #embroiderycake #baking #floralcake #cakeideas #buttercreamcake #bake #cakesofinstagram #cake #buttercream #cakelover #cakeart #nationalcraftmonth

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