Find out how to Assemble a Layer Cake (Video)

Pictured right here is my 3-layer 9-inch vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream.

I do know making layer desserts can appear intimidating, so at this time I’m serving to to make the method a bit of simpler for you. Bookmark this the way to assemble a layer cake information for any time you’re serving a layer cake, whether or not it’s a 3-layer carrot cake, 2-layer chocolate cake, or smaller 6-inch cake.

Let’s dive proper in.

Find out how to Assemble a Layer Cake Video

Useful Instruments for Assembling Layer Desserts

See this submit on 10 important cake baking and adorning instruments for extra.

Step 1: Stage the Cake Layers

It’s necessary your cake layers are degree, so your layer cake has stability. Be certain that the desserts are fully cool earlier than you degree them. You need to use a instrument known as a cake leveler, however I often simply use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed high so the highest is flat. You may discard the bit you sliced off, or crumble it up and use it as garnish on high or across the cake. (Or benefit from the cake crumbles over ice cream—my favourite!)

Step 2: Stacking

Determine on the frosting you wish to use to your cake. Most of my layer cake recipes embrace the frosting recipe you’ll want for the cake. American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream are my 2 high decisions for layer desserts. If utilizing cream cheese frosting, I discover it useful to refrigerate it for a minimum of 1 hour earlier than utilizing, because it isn’t as sturdy and steady as buttercream.

A cake turntable makes it simpler to frost the edges. I often use about 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting between every cake layer. To unfold it, use an offset spatula, straight icing spatula, or an everyday knife. Unfold the frosting all the best way to the sides.

Place the second cake layer the wrong way up. This creates a flat base for the highest layer to sit down on. (In case your cake is barely 2 layers, you possibly can place the 2nd (high) layer the wrong way up OR proper facet up.) Verify to verify the cake layer is degree all the best way round. Then add one other 3/4–1 cup of frosting on high, once more spreading it to the sides.

Place the highest layer on high. You may place it the wrong way up once more if you’d like your cake to have a really straight look on the edges and a wonderfully flat high, however I often place the highest layer right-side-up, in order that there’s a little bit of a curve to the sides.

Step 3: Crumb Coat

This can be a very skinny layer of frosting utilized to the highest and sides of the cake, which helps lock in any free crumbs and provides stability to the completed layer cake. It additionally makes a pleasant easy base for frosting and adorning. Use about one other cup of frosting (240g) for that. Begin transferring the frosting from the highest down the edges. Go across the sides with a bench scraper—it’s a extremely helpful instrument that makes straightforward work of smoothing out the edges. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to an hour to set the crumb coat.

Step 4: Ending & Adorning

As soon as your crumb coat has set, you possibly can end the cake with a thicker layer of frosting. I like to recommend a straight spatula for this. You need to use your bench scraper once more for easy sides, however I like a bit of texture.

When you used a cake turntable and wish to switch your cake to a serving platter or cake stand, it’s useful to have a cake lifter instrument and a second set of fingers.

In case you have additional frosting, you need to use a piping bag and tip and add some ornament. Right here I used the Wilton 1M tip to pipe a shell border across the high and backside of the cake.

In relation to cake adorning, I wish to preserve issues easy. As a lot as I love all these cake artists on the market and marvel at their creations, I settle for that cake artistry is solely not in my ability set! BUT there are methods you may make a ravishing layer cake, even if you happen to lack inventive ability.

Take this rustic-chic bare cake, for instance. Garnishing with contemporary florals and berries provides easy, refined class—no piping suggestions, fondant, or modeling chocolate required.

A easy garnish of contemporary berries and mint is considered one of my favourite methods to garnish a cake, as a result of it’s so EASY, but takes the cake to the following degree.

You can even garnish with an ingredient used within the cake, resembling toasted nuts on high of this carrot cake, or coconut and contemporary pineapple on high of this pineapple coconut cake.

Extra Cake Baking & Adorning Tutorials