how to frost a layer cake

Frosting a layer cake is one of those things you never think you need to know how to do until you happen to need to know how to do it. These moments of realization usually come when you are halfway through, frosting is everywhere, you haven’t changed into your party clothes yet, your cell phone keeps ringing with friends asking, “Where ARE YOU? What is up with the CAKE you were talking about?!” and you are like “whhhhaaaa am I doing?!!” I know this feeling because this has happened to me.

Frosting these types of cakes can be stressful because they are usually made for an important type of event that only celebrating with a multi-layer cake can provide. While yes, it is true that you can achieve the same general function with a butter knife and a plate because in essence “how to frost a layer cake” translates to slathering frosting between layers of baked butter and flour but there are a few tricks that will make your cake look super fancy for super little effort. Let’s get started!

How To Frost A Layer Cake!

Select your tools. As any building contractor will tell you, the final outcome of your project is greatly enhanced with the correct tool. Same goes with cake decorating. These are the objects that I find the most helpful and essential in the process of layer cake-decorating: a cardboard cake round, the bottom of a removable tart pan, a cake stand, an offset spatula, a sharp serrated knife, a pastry bag fitted with a #12 tip, and a pastry scraper.

Prepare your base. This cake stand is where we are going to build our cake. I cut my cake board the exact same size as my cake so that it would not show. If you aren’t transporting your cake, you don’t really need a board but it helps to give the cake a base if you happen to need to move it, or if your cake won’t fit into your fridge on the stand. Begin by making a few tape loops and securing the cardboard base to the stand, then put a small dab of frosting on the board (or cake stand base) which makes sure that your cake won’t slip around. Cut a few strips of parchment or waxed paper and place them underneath the cake board. This will make sure that your cake plate stays clean!

Cut your cake. It is easiest if you begin with cake that has been fully chilled because it makes the cake easier to work with. Do not try to frost a warm cake. This will end in a disaster. I’m not trying to be dramatic but it is the truth. A chilled cake also helps in terms of timing. I baked my cake the night before, wrapped it well in plastic then chilled the layers in the fridge overnight. If your cake baked up with a domed-shaped top then this is the time to trim off any “dome-age” to make sure that you will have even, flat layers of cake in each slice. Mine ended up pretty flat so I didn’t bother trimming the tops. In this tutorial we are making a four layer cake. To cut each layer in half, hold the top of cake with one hand and with the other hand rotate the cake while gently using a serrated knife to cut each cake round into two layers. In the end you should have four thin layers of cake. Next use the bottom of a removable tart pan to transfer the first layer to the cake plate. You want to put this layer on the cake stand cut-side down.

Frost the first layer. I used about a third of a cup of frosting between each layer. I like a cake on the thinly-frosted side but use as much as your heart desires. The only important thing is that you use the same amount of frosting between each layer so that you end up with an evenly frosted cake in the end. Use your offset spatula to spread your frosting all the way to the edges of the cake. Another trick: designate a spatula and a spoon for your bowl of frosting and use them to transfer frosting from the bowl to the cake. You don’t want to use your offset spatula in the bowl of clean frosting because you will inevitably get crumbs in it and our goal with this task is to have crumb-free frosting.

Repeat with remaining layers. Cake, frosting, cake, frosting. You know the drill. Just be sure that the cut-side down of cake goes on top of the frosting and that your last layer has the bottom facing upwards. This makes sure that – you guessed it – there are as little crumbs as possible and the top of the cake is as smooth of a surface as possible.

Apply the crumb coat. Apply a thin layer of frosting over the top and sides of your cake. It is okay for the cake to show through, you just want to seal in any crumbs so they won’t show in the final top coat.

Chill for 30 minutes. This sets your crumb coat. Your cake is done chilling when a lightly-pressed finger comes away clean. If your frosting is still a little sticky – keep on chillin’.

Apply outer layer of frosting. Everyone has their own way of doing cake frosting, and this is my technique to make sure my final layer is evenly applied. I spread frosting every few inches all the way around the cake and the top then use my offset spatula to smooth them all together. I find I must pace myself with the frosting applications otherwise I will end up with one side that is frosting heavy and another that looks a little wimpy and sad.

Generously frosted! Looking good. We are almost to the fun part – sprinkles. Be generous with this layer since you will scrape off a bit when you are doing the final smoothing.

Smooth everything out. Holding the scraper with one hand and rotating the cake with the other, use the smooth edge of the scraper to evenly spread the outer layer of frosting all the way around the cake, scraping off any extra frosting as you go. When you are done with the sides, smooth the top of the cake. Repeat with a light hand until your desired level of smoothness is achieved.

Take a moment and admire your cake. You are almost there. And then get excited because you are going to get to actually consume this thing of beauty.

Smooth everything out. Round two. Fill a tall glass with warm water and have a few layers of paper towel nearby. Dip your spatula in the water, shake off the extra, and smooth the tops and sides of the cake, re-dipping as necessary. You do not want the spatula to be super wet but just a hint of water helps to smooth out the final outer layer of frosting.

Fill a pastry bag. I reserved about 3/4 cup of frosting for extra decorating. For a tutorial in filling and using a pastry bag, check out this helpful video.

Decorate with frosting. Pipe small dots around the base and/or the top of the cake. This hides any imperfections and gives your cake that professional edge. I dipped my finger in water and lightly patted the pointy tops down so that they would be little rounds instead of having frosting hats.

Sprinkles. For making everything better in a way that only sprinkles can. Sprinkle them over the top while the frosting is still slightly wet so they stay put.

Ta-da! YOU DID IT! Behold your perfectly frosted layer cake. I don’t know about you, but this cake is definitely ready to get its party pants on.

The moment of truth. Cutting into a layer cake is always an emotional mix of both thrill and terror. I am happy to report that there were only good vibes going on in this picture.

Baker’s reward. It is a known fact that the first slice goes to either the birthday person or the baker, whichever is applicable to the specific situation at hand. Congratulations! Now go forth and cake decorate!

 
A few helpful links:

• Answers the question: how much frosting do I need for my cake? Also another version but with baking times included.
• How to store your cake for maximum deliciousness.
• Pastry boxes. Worth the small investment because they make traveling with a cake about 179% more enjoyable, even if you have to take your cake on the subway or other mode of public transport. Whomever’s birthday party you are attending will appreciate your extreme dedication to cake travel. They may even buy you a beer for your efforts.
• Want to get super extra fancy-pants ? Learn how to make a frosting rose with this little video tutorial.

The recipe for this cake is up next! While it may look like plain ol’ vanilla on vanilla, you’ve probably been around these parts long enough to know that nothing is just plain vanilla at BMUB. Can you guess? I will give you a hint. It includes two of my favorite things.

And lastly, a behind-the-scenes peek at my high-tech photography studio.