This is a lovely decoration that's surprisingly simple to do if you have a template. Filigree is a design piped in a delicate, usually loopy, design, and placed vertically or horizontally on a dessert. It can be made using royal icing or melted chocolate. You can even create multidimensional decorations by piping flat pieces and gluing them together with melted chocolate.

• The easiest way to create filigree is to place a picture of the design you'd like to duplicate on a flat surface under a sheet of waxed paper or cooking-grade acetate.

• Place the filigree material in a pastry bag fitted with a writing tip and trace the design. Allow the filigree to set in a cool room, or refrigerate for 3 to 5 minutes.

• Carefully remove the filigree from the waxed paper or acetate with a metal spatula. Try not to touch the piece too much; this prevents fingerprints and melting.

• Place on a cake or store in an airtight container in a cool place. If you need to stack the pieces, place a piece of waxed paper between each layer.