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 muffins can appear intimidating, so at present I’m serving to to make the method somewhat simpler for you. Bookmark this find out 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.

Find out how to Assemble a Layer Cake Video

Useful Instruments for Assembling Layer Desserts

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

Step 1: Stage the Cake Layers

It’s essential your cake layers are stage, so your layer cake has stability. Be certain that the muffins are utterly cool earlier than you stage them. You should utilize a instrument referred to as a cake leveler, however I often simply use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed prime 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 prime 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 in 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 prime selections for layer muffins. If utilizing cream cheese frosting, I discover it useful to refrigerate it for at the very least 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 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 way in which 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’ll be able to place the 2nd (prime) layer the wrong way up OR proper facet up.) Test to verify the cake layer is stage all the way in which round. Then add one other 3/4–1 cup of frosting on prime, once more spreading it to the sides.

Place the highest layer on prime. You’ll be able to place it the wrong way up once more if you need your cake to have a really straight look on the perimeters and a wonderfully flat prime, 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 shifting the frosting from the highest down the perimeters. Go across the sides with a bench scraper—it’s a extremely useful instrument 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 utilize your bench scraper once more for easy sides, however I like somewhat texture.

In the event 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.

When 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 prime and backside of the cake.

In the case of cake adorning, I prefer to hold 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 just not in my ability set! BUT there are methods you can also make a wonderful layer cake, even in the event you 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 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 stage.

You may also garnish with an ingredient used within the cake, reminiscent of toasted nuts on prime of this carrot cake, or coconut and contemporary pineapple on prime of this pineapple coconut cake.

Extra Cake Baking & Adorning Tutorials

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Description

Study the fundamentals of find out how to assemble and adorn a layer cake with this detailed information. I observe 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 show each step.

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1. Stage the Cake Layers: It’s essential your cake layers are stage, so your layer cake has stability. Be certain that the muffins are utterly cool earlier than you stage them. You should utilize a instrument referred to as a cake leveler or use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed prime of your muffins 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 prime or across the cake. (Or benefit from the cake crumbles over ice cream—my favourite!)
2. Stack the Layers: Place the underside layer proper facet up on a cake turntable or cake stand. Place 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting (wherever between 180–240g) on prime. 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 wrong way up evenly on prime, 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.) Test to verify it’s stage all the way in which round. Then add one other 3/4–1 cup of frosting (180–240g) on prime, once more spreading it to the sides. Place the highest layer on prime. You’ll be able to place it the wrong way up once more if you need your cake to have a really straight look on the perimeters and a wonderfully flat prime, or you’ll be able to place it proper facet as much as have a little bit of a rounded edge. *In case your cake is barely 2 layers, the 2nd/prime layer may be the wrong way up or proper facet up, relying if you need a straight edge or rounded edge on prime 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 free 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 prime and sides. To easy 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 utilize your bench scraper once more for easy sides, or hold the perimeters textured as proven within the video. In the event 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 to carry and switch it. When 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 prime and backside of the cake.
5. When you could have completed adorning your cake, it’s greatest to refrigerate it uncovered for at the very least 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 in the event you plan to move the cake, I like to recommend a cake service 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: Generally, 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 depends upon how thick you need the outside layer and in the event you’ll wish to add piping particulars to the cake. I often 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 prime and sides to complete (3.5–4 cups (840–960g whole).