When it comes to desserts, presentation is everything.
The presentation might not affect how a cake tastes, but it can certainly help get your mouth watering and your eyes excited for what’s to come. Bundt Cakes and Layer Cakes are especially good opportunities for making a great first impression if they’re done right.
Layer cakes and Bundt cakes can be as much of an art project as they are a baking project. To bake and frost to perfection requires time, patience, and a touch of TLC. When made properly, these cakes can look as good as they taste. After all, cakes aren’t just for birthdays. Every baked cake is a call for a celebration!
That’s not to say that decorating a cake should be intimidating. Decorating bundt cakes and layer cakes is easier than you might expect, as long as you plan. We’ve outlined some cake tips and tricks that will help you put the icing on your cake.
How to frost a Bundt cake
We know frosting a Bundt cake can be tricky, but we have some handy tips and tricks to share with you! Let’s take a look:
- Make sure your icing is drizzle-ready. It should be smooth enough to be easily poured on your cake. This may mean reheating the icing for a few seconds.
- Evenly drizzle the icing over your bundt cake.
- Continuously turn the plate as you pour the icing to coat evenly.
- Gently tap and rock plate to encourage the icing to drip down the bundt cake.
- Give icing a little time to set, then cut and enjoy!
PICTURED: Triple Chocolate Chip Fudge Bundt Cake (with DIY chocolate cream cheese frosting)
How to frost a layer cake
Once your cake is fully baked, let it cool for 30 minutes. Then, wrap in plastic wrap and let sit in the refrigerator for at least a half hour so that it is cool and firm. Next, you’ll do the following:
- Brush the loose crumbs from the cooked cake.
- Put four strips of waxed paper around the edges of the plate and place the first layer, round side down, onto the plate.
- Depending on the size of your cake, spread 1/3 or 1/2 cup of frosting on top of the first layer, leaving about one-quarter inch of space off the edge.
- Place the second cake layer, round side up, on top of the first frosted layer. Coat the side of the cake with a thin layer of frosting to seal in the crumbs (crumb-base!).
Once you’ve completed this process and your layers, spread the remaining frosting on top of the cake up to the rim.
PICTURED: Combo Layer Cake (frosted with vanilla cream cheese frosting by us)
Tips for frosting a layer cake
Layer cakes require a bit more work than Bundt cakes (as they should–they have layers!). The last thing you want to do is put in all that work for a failed experiment. Consider these tips before starting your layer cake:
- Be sure the cake is stable enough to sustain the assembly or risk the cake toppling over.
- One way to create a toppled cake is to stack uneven layers. Trim each layer of the cake to ensure all are even, with flat tops, before starting the assembly process.
- Do not trim your cake when it’s still warm. A cool cake is firmer and less likely to tear as it’s being trimmed.
- Don’t forget the crumb coat and the refrigeration process that comes with it before moving to the next level. The crumb coat paves the way for a seamless final coat.
- Wipe your spatula clean each time you lift it from the cake. Otherwise, remnants from one layer will cause your next layer to be bumpier and less even.
WATCH: How to frost a layer cake
It can be extremely satisfying to complete a well-designed and tasty cake after a frosting job well done. But with a demanding schedule, a family, and one too many errands, attempting to frost a cake perfectly might not fit into the schedule. Rather than stress out over creating the perfect cake, consider focusing on gifting the perfect cake from cake makers like We Take The Cake!
We use 2-day delivery and pack our Layer Cakes in specially made boxes with dry ice to keep our cakes fresh and feeling like they arrived straight out the oven. For Bundt Cakes, we shrink-wrap them to maintain their perfect shape and flavor.
We’ve also spent years perfecting our frosting techniques, so you don’t have to! Contact us today to let us know how we can help simplify your next gift or event.