Layer cakes can be intimidating. But frosting them, while an acquired skill, is something you can do with these easy tips.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 30 minutes
Here's How:
- Bake a layer cake, using your favorite recipe or a mix, remove layers from pans, and cool completely.
- Freeze the layers until solid. This makes it easier to frost them.
- Make frosting according to your favorite recipe, or use canned frosting or a mix.
- Using a lazy susan or turntable will make the frosting process easier, but if you don't have one, just pick a pretty serving platter to use.
- Tear off four short strips of waxed paper and place them in a square on your serving plate, leaving an open space in the middle.
- Carefully place one cake layer on the waxed paper. Using about 1 cup of the frosting, spread frosting over the top of the layer.
- Place the second layer on top of the frosting, aligning the edges.
- Using an offset spatula for more control, spread a very thin layer of frosting on the sides of the cake to seal in any stray crumbs. This is much easier if you have a lazy susan.
- Then frost the sides of the cake, using the spatula to make peaks and swirls. Build up a slight edge at the top of the cake.
- Finish frosting the top of the cake, pushing frosting to the edges to meet the frosting on the sides. Have fun swirling the frosting so it's pretty!
- Carefully pull out the waxed paper strips. Now you see why we used them - your serving platter is perfectly clean!
Tips:
- I would recommend making more frosting than most recipes call for, especially if you're a beginner. Nothing is more frustrating than running out.
- Offset spatulas have a kink in the blade that keeps your fingers away from the frosting while working.
- Add liquid to thin, or powdered sugar to thicken the frosting as you work if the texture changes.
What You Need:
- cake layers
- frosting
- waxed paper
- serving plate
- lazy susan
