How to frost a cake?

I was thinking of giving you some tips on how to frost a cake. When I started to frost cakes it took alot, I knew nothing about leveling or anything like that. I didn't want to waste any of my cake. Now my kids call it "cake scaps" best part of the cake : )

These days I don't mind frosting the cake, but cake design still ties my stomach in knots. Anyhoo working on it. Some essentials before you start frosting.

1. A cake decorating stand or a Lazy Susan
2. A Icing spatula
3. Frosting (whether bought or homemade)
4. Knife for leveling cake
5. Cake stand or cake board

First thing to do before frosting a cake is to have the cake cool completely. If you are in a hurry you can put in the fridge or freezer for a fast cool. Make sure you remove any loose crumbs from the cake. You can brush it off with your hands or with a pastry brush. Dab a small amount of frosting on the bottom of the cake plate to hold the cake in place. Then place the first layer on the cake plate. You can level the cake if you need to by cutting off the top of the cake. Frost this layer with 1/2 cup to 1 cup of frosting (depending on how much you like).

Level the second layer of the cake by cutting off the top and then place the cut side down on top of the already frosted layer. This way you will have a smooth surface to frost the top layer. Again frost the top of the cake with 1/2 cup to 1 cup if frosting. Then frost the sides with 1/2 cups to 3/4 cups of frosting.

Tip : - You can dirty ice the cake (putting on a crumb coat). This means you put on a thin layer of frosting on the cake and place in the fridge to set, so that you don't get crumbs in your final coat. 

After the frosting has set then you can put the remaining frosting on the cake. Decorate as you like.

Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time. It gets better each time you decorate.

Hope you found this interesting?

Always take life one day at a time.