Learn how to Assemble a Layer Cake (Video)

Study the fundamentals of the way to assemble and beautify a layer cake with this detailed put up as your 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 display each step.

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 slightly 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.

Learn how to Assemble a Layer Cake Video

Useful Instruments for Assembling Layer Muffins

See this put up 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. Ensure the desserts are fully cool earlier than you degree them. You should use a instrument known as a cake leveler, however I normally 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

Resolve on the frosting you wish to use on your cake. Most of my layer cake recipes embody the frosting recipe you’ll want for the cake. American buttercream or Swiss meringue buttercream are my 2 high selections 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 secure as buttercream.

A cake turntable makes it simpler to frost the edges. 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 a daily knife. Unfold the frosting all the best way to the perimeters.

Place the second cake layer the wrong way up. This creates a flat base for the highest layer to take a seat on. (In case your cake is simply 2 layers, you possibly can place the 2nd (high) layer the wrong way up OR proper aspect 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 perimeters.

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 normally place the highest layer right-side-up, in order that there’s a little bit of a curve to the perimeters.

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 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 edges. Go across the sides with a bench scraper—it’s a very useful 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 should use your bench scraper once more for clean sides, however I like slightly 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 arms.

When you’ve got further frosting, you should utilize 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 terms of cake adorning, I wish to preserve issues easy. As a lot as I like all these cake artists on the market and marvel at their creations, I settle for that cake artistry is solely not in my talent set! BUT there are methods you may make a phenomenal layer cake, even in case you lack inventive talent.

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

A easy garnish of recent 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 can even garnish with an ingredient used within the cake, corresponding to toasted nuts on high of this carrot cake, or coconut and recent pineapple on high of this pineapple coconut cake.

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Description

Study the fundamentals of the way to assemble and beautify 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 display each step.

Stage the Cake Layers: It’s necessary your cake layers are degree, so your layer cake has stability. Ensure the desserts are fully cool earlier than you degree them. You should use a instrument known as a cake leveler or use a serrated knife. Slice off the domed high of your desserts 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!)

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 (wherever between 180–240g) on high. Utilizing an offset spatula, straight spatula, or a daily knife, unfold the frosting all the best way to the perimeters of the cake. Place the second cake layer the wrong way up evenly on high, which creates a flat base for the highest layer to take a seat on. (*See finish of this step in case you are making a 2-layer cake.) Verify to verify it’s degree all the best way round. Then add one other 3/4–1 cup of frosting (180–240g) on high, once more spreading it to the perimeters. 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, or you possibly can place it proper aspect as much as have a little bit of a rounded edge. *In case your cake is simply 2 layers, the 2nd/high layer could be the wrong way up or proper aspect up, relying if you’d like a straight edge or rounded edge on high of your cake.

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 all around the high and sides. To clean out the edges, run a bench scraper across the cake. Refrigerate uncovered for 20 minutes to 1 hour to set the crumb coat.

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 edges 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 arms to raise and switch it. When you’ve got some further frosting, you possibly can 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.

When you will have completed adorning your cake, it’s finest to refrigerate it uncovered for not less than 20 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Relying on the cake, you possibly can refrigerate it for as much as 4 to six hours. To retailer leftover cake or in case you plan to move the cake, I like to recommend a cake provider as a result of it retains the cake recent with out touching or smearing the frosting.

Notes

Particular Instruments (affiliate hyperlinks): Serrated Knife or Cake Leveler Software | Cake Turntable | Silicone Spatula | Small Offset Spatula | Massive Straight Spatula | Bench Scraper | Cake Lifter | Cake Stand (like this one or this one) | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Wilton 1M Piping Tip | Cake Service

Quantity of Frosting: Normally, 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 is determined by how thick you need the outside layer and in case 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).