How To Frost A Cake (Comprehensive Guide For Beginners!) - Bakers Table (2024)

Preparation Is Key

Before we even get to frosting the cake, we have to start with the cake layers. Yes, the cake itself! A solid cake recipe is imperative to that gorgeous frosted cake. You’re looking for a cake that’s tender, but sturdy enough to stack, a cake that has straight sides, and a flat top.

Though, like any recipe with leavening, unless you use a bake-even strip (which slows down the heating of your pans, allowing your cakes to bake more evenly!), your cakes are likely to dome.

But don’t fret! A domed cake is not the end. Like with our classic vanilla cake, we used a cake leveler to cut off the tops of each cooled cake layer, creating that perfectly flat surface to build our cake.

Also, make sure that the cake layers are be completely cool before leveling or making your frosting. When you take the cakes out of the oven, place the pans on a cooling rack. Let the cakes cool for about 15-30 minutes, or until the pan is cool enough to handle. Turn the cakes out onto the cooling rack to finish cooling.

When you turn the cakes out onto the cooling rack, this is when you can do one of three things:

1. If you’re planning on frosting the cake that day, allow the cakes to cool at room temperature. If the cakes feel too tender to handle, transfer the cakes (still on the cooling rack) to the refrigerator and chill for about 1-2 hours. They should be firm and easy to handle.
2. If you’re plan on frosting the cake the next day, allow the cakes to cool at room temperature and then wrap each cake layer tightly in plastic wrap. Place the cakes into the refrigerator to chill overnight.
3. If you’re planning on frosting the cake in a couple of days, a week, or in over a months time, allow the cakes to cool at room temperature before wrapping each layer tightly in plastic wrap and placing each cake in a freezer-safe zip-top bag. Then, place the cakes into the freezer. Depending on the cake recipe, the cakes should last for up to 2 months.

NOTE: If you don’t wrap the cakes before chilling overnight, the cake will dry out. So, wrapping is an absolute must!

So, What Tools Do I Need To Frost A Cake?

Everyone has differing opinions on what tools you need and use. Personally, I have a handful of tools that I use for every cake recipe we share on the blog. Below, you’ll find links to my go-to tools!

• Revolving Cake Stand: I cannot understate how important a turntable is when frosting/decorating a cake.
• Offset Spatula(s): This is a must-have for spreading frosting onto your cake. Personally, I love using a small offset spatula to spread my frosting, as I feel like I have more control.
• Piping Bags: This one may be controversial, but I love using piping bags to pipe my frosting layers onto my cakes. It just makes it easier to get the frosting spread across the layers.
• Cake Scraper: Also known as a cake smoother, this is how cake decorators get that perfectly smooth exterior!

Before we start frosting our cake, let’s figure out what we want to frost the cake on. This is how we can move it from our turntable to our serving plate! I personally like to place a sheet of parchment paper under my cake as I frost/decorate.

If you want something sturdier and more beginner-friendly, I recommend using acake board. It’s a thick piece of food-safe cardboard that should be the same size as the cake. If you opt to use a cake board, place this on your turntable first, spread a tiny bit of frosting in the center of the board, then place your first cake layer on top.

Let’s Do The Crumb Coat

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the entire surface of the cake. This helps trap any crumbs, creating a smoother and more polished look when the final layer of buttercream is applied.

And, while some cake decorators swear by crumb coats…they’re not always necessary. Before applying a crumb coat, inspect the edges of the cake layers. If they appear sturdy and free of crumbs, you can skip this step and proceed directly to the final layer of frosting!

But if you’re unsure, you can always go ahead and do the crumb coat. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Skipping the crumb coat only saves time. So, when in doubt, do the crumb coat!

Here’s how to apply one:

1. Apply a thin layer of frosting: Use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire surface of the cake (top and sides!). Don’t worry about making it perfect; the goal is to just cover the crumbs.
2. Chill the cake: Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.

Frosting The Cake

Once that crumb coat is set, it’s finally time to frost the cake. We’re going to be repeating the same process as the crumb coat, just with a thicker layer of frosting!

Start by placing a dollop of frosting in the center of the cake. Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting outward in a circular motion, covering the entire top of the cake with a thin, even layer. Be gentle to avoid disturbing the crumb coat!

Once the top is frosted, you may see some overhang. This is fine! Apply a few dollops of frosting all around the cake, then use a bench scraper or offset spatula (whichever is more comfortable for you!) to smooth the sides of the cake. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect right now!

When the cake is fully covered, use yourcake scraperto even out the sides. If you have some holes or gaps after you’ve smoothed out the sides, use theoffset spatulato apply a few extra dollops of buttercream where you have holes/gaps. Then, go around the cake again with yourcake scraperto smoothen out those spots you just patched.

And there you have it! A frosted cake that’s ready to be decorated.

Here Are Some Fun Cakes To Practice On:

These are some super easy cakes to practice your frosting technique!

• Funfetti Cake
• Vanilla Rose Cake
• Classic Vanilla Cake
• Strawberry Sheet Cake
• Coconut Cake
• Guinness Chocolate Cake

Looking for more of a challenge? Try some of these!

• Cookies and Cream Cake
• Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
• Pink Velvet Cake
• Spiced Carrot Cake
• Black Cat Cupcakes

– Still Hungry? –

Here are a few recipes may like!