white flour splashing out of a glass bowl
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Paint-splattered cake gives the viewer the illusion that paint was spilled over the top and sides of the cake. A paint-splattered cake has a variety of uses. This splatter technique is ideal for use with a art-themed cake, an 80s-themed cake or as a casual and unusual way to decorate any other cake. You do not have to have any special tools or cake decorating experience to make a splatter paint cake.

Ice the cake with buttercream icing. If desired, roll out some fondant with a rolling pin and lay it over the cake to give the cake a smooth texture. Cut away any excess fondant with a dull knife.

Thin one cup of royal icing with 1/4 of a cup of water or milk. Add enough liquid to give the paint a runny texture. The icing should look like thick soup, but not so thin as to look like water or juice. Mix the icing with a whisk as you are thinning to prevent lumps.

Divide the icing into four smaller containers to make four 1/4 cup containers of icing. Add three or four drops of liquid food coloring to dye the icing into pastel colors. Add eight to 10 drops of coloring to make deep colors.

Dip a clean, food-safe paintbrush in the icing. Flick the icing onto the surface of the cake using your wrist. Make as many splatters on the cake and whatever combination of colors as you want.

Allow the icing to harden for several hours before covering the cake with a lid or plastic wrap. You can use plastic wrap on a fondant-based cake, but the plastic will stick to buttercream icing, even after it hardens.