Welcome back dreamers! Today, we will be sharing a step-by-step guide to frosting a cake at home like a champion. Nothing too fancy, no fondant, no decorations. Just the basics to frosting, smoothing sides and having a spiral top just like our Honey Yuzu Fresh Cream Cake & Roasted Black Sesame Hojicha Cake!
Things you’ll need:
Important rules to take note:
- Cake layers must be completely cool before frosting. A warm layer will cause the frosting to melt, slipping your cake layers.
- Frosting should be room temperature and easily spreadable.
These are the basic steps of frosting a cake:
- Place your cake board on a cake turntable for easy frosting!
- Spread a fifty-cent amount of frosting on the cake board, this will help ensure that the cake layers stay in place.
- Place the bottom cake layer on top of the cake board. Using an icing knife or spatula, spread the frosting evenly on top of the bottom cake layer.
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Gently place the second layer on the frosted layer, trimmed side down. If the layer isn’t centered, use your hands to position it before you apply the frosting. Repeat if you’ve got more layers and filling!
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Time for the outer layer! Start with the top of the cake, spread the frosting all the way to the edge of the layer. Then, frost the sides. If the cake is on a turntable, spin it around as you frost for an even coating.
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After you are done with coating the outer layer, use a bench scraper to smooth out the sides. Hold the bench scraper at a 45 degree angle while you smooth the sides. Angles make a big difference in the way the frosting smooths, do not hold it at 90 degrees.
- Remove the excess frosting and smooth out the top layer of the cake with a spatula.
There’s nothing wrong with a plain and simple frosted cake. But if you want to add some fancy swirls, here's how!
1. Hold the cake icing knife at a 45 degree angle so the tip meets the center of the cake.
2. This is similar to the motion we used to scrape the sides of the cake with the bench knife. Holding lightly firm and with even pressure in the knife, begin the spin the cake (at a medium speed), smoothly working the knife out towards the edge of the cake as you spin.
3. It's okay if it does not turn out the way you want it too, you can always smooth the top and start over again. Practice makes perfect!
There you have it, a guide to frosting a cake. Frosting a cake can be a bit tricky when you first start out, it might not turn out the way you imagine it to. However, once you get a hang of it, you would’ve unlocked a new kitchen skill and be able to impress yourself and your friends! Do share with us your very own frosting creations if you have tried them at home, we would love to see them!
Love,
Team ZE
