The best way 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 as we speak I’m serving to to make the method just a little simpler for you. Bookmark this tips on how 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.

The best way to Assemble a Layer Cake Video

Useful Instruments for Assembling Layer Muffins

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

Step 1: Stage the Cake Layers

It’s vital your cake layers are degree, so your layer cake has stability. Make certain the desserts are fully cool earlier than you degree them. You should use a device referred to as a cake leveler, however I normally simply use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed high so the highest is flat. You’ll be able to 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 not less than 1 hour earlier than utilizing, because it isn’t as sturdy and steady as buttercream.

A cake turntable makes it simpler to frost the perimeters. I normally 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 way in which to the sides.

Place the second cake layer the other way up. This creates a flat base for the highest layer to sit down on. (In case your cake is just 2 layers, you’ll be able to place the 2nd (high) layer the other way up OR proper aspect up.) Verify to ensure the cake layer is degree all the way in which 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’ll be able to place it the other way up once more if you’d like your cake to have a really straight look on the perimeters and a wonderfully flat high, however I normally 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

It is a very skinny layer of frosting utilized to the highest and sides of the cake, which helps lock in any unfastened crumbs and provides stability to the completed layer cake. It additionally makes a pleasant clean base for frosting and adorning. Use about one other cup of frosting (240g) for that. Begin transferring the frosting from the highest down the perimeters. Go across the sides with a bench scraper—it’s a extremely useful device that makes simple work of smoothing out the perimeters. 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’ll be able to end the cake with a thicker layer of frosting. I like to recommend a straight spatula for this. You should use your bench scraper once more for clean sides, however I like just a little texture.

Should 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 device and a second set of palms.

If in case you have additional frosting, you should 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.

Relating 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 can also make a wonderful layer cake, even should you lack creative ability.

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

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

You too can garnish with an ingredient used within the cake, reminiscent of 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

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Description

Study the fundamentals of tips on how to assemble and adorn a layer cake with this detailed information. I comply with the identical steps whether or not I’m making a 2-layer, 3-layer, or 4-layer cake, and whether or not it’s a 6-inch cake or a 9-inch cake. Watch the video tutorial to see me reveal each step.

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1. Stage the Cake Layers: It’s vital your cake layers are degree, so your layer cake has stability. Make certain the desserts are fully cool earlier than you degree them. You should use a device referred to as a cake leveler or use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed high of your desserts so the highest is flat. You’ll be able to 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!)
2. Stack the Layers: Place the underside layer proper aspect up on a cake turntable or cake stand. Place 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting (anyplace between 180–240g) on high. Utilizing an offset spatula, straight spatula, or an everyday knife, unfold the frosting all the way in which to the sides of the cake. Place the second cake layer the other way up evenly on high, which creates a flat base for the highest layer to sit down on. (*See finish of this step in case you are making a 2-layer cake.) Verify to ensure it’s degree all the way in which round. Then add one other 3/4–1 cup of frosting (180–240g) on high, once more spreading it to the sides. Place the highest layer on high. You’ll be able to place it the other way up once more if you’d like your cake to have a really straight look on the perimeters and a wonderfully flat high, or you’ll be able to place it proper aspect as much as have a little bit of a rounded edge. *In case your cake is just 2 layers, the 2nd/high layer may be the other way up or proper aspect up, relying if you’d like a straight edge or rounded edge on high of your cake.
3. Add the Crumb Coat: A crumb coat is a particularly skinny layer of frosting utilized to the highest and sides of the cake, which helps lock in any unfastened crumbs and provides stability to the completed layer cake. For a 3-layer cake, use about 1 cup of frosting (240g) for it. For a 2-layer cake, round 3/4 cup (180g). Unfold it everywhere in the high and sides. To clean out the perimeters, run a bench scraper across the cake. Refrigerate uncovered for 20 minutes to 1 hour to set the crumb coat.
4. End Adorning the Cake: As soon as your crumb coat has set, end the cake with a thicker layer of frosting utilizing a straight icing spatula. You should use your bench scraper once more for clean sides, or preserve the perimeters textured as proven within the video. Should 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 device and a second set of palms to carry and switch it. If in case you have some additional frosting, you’ll be able to fill a piping bag 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.
5. When you have got completed adorning your cake, it’s greatest to refrigerate it uncovered for not less than 20 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Relying on the cake, you’ll be able to refrigerate it for as much as 4 to six hours. To retailer leftover cake or should you plan to move the cake, I like to recommend a cake provider as a result of it retains the cake contemporary with out touching or smearing the frosting.

Notes

1. Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Serrated Knife or Cake Leveler Software | Cake Turntable | Silicone Spatula | Small Offset Spatula | Giant Straight Spatula | Bench Scraper | Cake Lifter | Cake Stand (like this one or this one) | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Wilton 1M Piping Tip | Cake Provider
2. Quantity of Frosting: On the whole, for an 8-inch or 9-inch spherical cake, you’ll use 3/4–1 cup (180–240g) of frosting between every cake layer, plus one other 3/4–1 cup for the crumb coat. After that, the quantity of frosting relies on how thick you need the outside layer and should you’ll wish to add piping particulars to the cake. I normally use 4.5 cups (1080g) on a 2-layer 8- or 9-inch cake, and 5–6 cups (1200–1440g) on a 3-layer 8- or 9-inch cake. For a 3-layer 6-inch cake, use about 1/2 cup (120g) of frosting between every layer, 1/2 cup for the crumb coat (give or take), and 1–1.5 cups across the high and sides to complete (3.5–4 cups (840–960g whole).