How To Make A Double Cake

From prepping your block pans to applying frosting, I'll show yous everything you need to know to build a beautiful layer block!

Let me confess that I haven't always known what I was doing, or fifty-fifty what I was supposed to be doing when it came to making a layer cake. Oh no, I've had my fair share of cake disasters! I've learned through lots of do and tips I've picked upwardly from other bakers and bloggers. All of information technology paid off and I experience like I tin safely say that I know how to build a layer cake.

I similar to utilize the word "build" because in my opinion, at that place's so much more that goes into a cake besides knowing how to frost it. Today I want to prove you how I do information technology, from starting time to stop. I'thou sure it's non the merely mode, it's but my mode, and it has worked really well for me.

This tutorial has been on my web log since 2011 and since then I've broken up each piece into its own mail service. What in one case was an unbearably long-winded mail is now hopefully a piddling easier to navigate. But don't worry, I'll link you over to the other tutorials so y'all won't miss a thing. Ready? Let's go started!

(Disclosure: chapter links below.)

Prep your cake pans

The first thing you need to do is prep your block pans. Nothing stops a layer cake in its tracks like layers that stick or pause autonomously as you remove them from the pan. Here are two steps to prepare your block pans to make sure the block comes out perfectly every fourth dimension.

i) Use parchment newspaper

The about important training you can brand when baking a block is to line the pan(s) with parchment paper. This ensures that the bottom of the cake volition not stick to the pan, and that information technology volition all come out in one piece. I never bake a cake without parchment paper! You can trace and cutting full sheets of parchment paper to fit your cake pans, or you purchase rounds of parchment paper.

two)Grease with butter + flour OR nonstick baking spray

Creating a barrier between your cake batter and pans ensure nix sticks every bit it bakes. You tin can either glaze parchment paper lined cake pans with a layer of butter (or margarine or shortening) and and then dust with flour to create a bulwark, or yous can utilise a nonstick spray. Bakers Joy is a cheap option that you tin find at almost any grocery store, merely yous tin can also find more heavy duty products at restaurant or baking supply stores or online.

Looking for more than help + step-by-step photos? See my complete guide on how to keep cake from sticking to the pan.

Bake flat fifty-fifty block layers

Once you've prepped your pans and made your block batter, the adjacent step is to bake! Of course, you can just pour the block concoction into the pans, but ii simple tricks will ensure all of your cake layers will be the same size and have a flat top, which makes assembly a whole lot easier.

1) Use a digital scale to measure and distribute your cake batter

Weighing your cake pans every bit you fill them ensures each layer will be exactly the same size. I love my digital scale for this purpose.

2) Reduce baking temperature

There are several ways to bake a cake with a apartment top, but this is my favorite. It requires no extra tools! Simply reduce the temperature by 25 degrees and increase blistering fourth dimension past one half. The lower temperature slows the oven spring as the cake bakes, preventing a dome from forming. Here's how to practise information technology:

The recipe says to bake at 350 degrees for xxx min → Instead, bake at 325 degrees for 30 min + 15 min, or 45 minutes total. I commonly take a quick peek once I've reached the original baking time and so every v minutes after that just to exist certain I don't over bake it, but this adjustment is usually pretty accurate.

Looking for more than help + step-by-pace photos? Meet my consummate guide on how to bake flat cake layers.

Prep and store cake layers in advance

Edifice a layer cake is typically a 2 twenty-four hour period process for me. I like to bake the cake layers and let them arctic in the refrigerator overnight. This fashion they are cold and firm when I work with them, and less likely to move around or crack. Sometimes it'due south helpful to plan fifty-fifty farther ahead, and then here are two ways to store cake layers in advance.

ane) In the fridge

The fridge is a great identify to store individual cake layers brusk term. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

two) In the freezer

Cake layers freeze very well and the freezer is a slap-up option if you need to store them for more than than a few days. Double wrap with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 calendar month, or possibly longer. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature side-past-side (not stacked) in their wrappings for several hours and up to overnight.

Looking for more assistance + footstep-by-step photos? See my consummate guide on how to shop cake layers.

Assemble layer block

While not necessary, I like to utilize a turntable and cardboard cake rounds when assembling a layer cake. Cardboard cake rounds make it like shooting fish in a barrel to transport the cake back and forth from the fridge and to your cake stand up, and a turntable makes frosting the cake so much simpler!

one) To assemble, first identify a cooled/chilled cake layer superlative side-downwards on a cardboard round, or directly onto y'all block stand or plate. This way yous'll have a smooth surface to work with.

2) Meridian with a layer of frosting or filling, about 1 cup for an eight or 9-inch cake. If you're using a softer filling like lemon curd or preserves, first make a "dam" of frosting around the perimeter of your block circular. This volition go on the filling from leaking out. You can utilize a piping pocketbook and tip, or just use a spatula.

iii) Echo with remaining layers. If you'd like to split your cake layers horizontally to create more layers (2 layers become 4, for example), use a knife to kickoff score the block layer all mode around. Then use a big serrated knife to cut the layer in half, using the scored line as a guide. For more assistance with splitting cakes + step-by-footstep photos, see my consummate guide on how to cut a cake into fifty-fifty block layers.

Frost layer block

The most important part of frosting a cake is the crumb coat, and information technology's the all-time style to accept your layers cakes to the next level. A crumb coat is a thin coating of frosting spread over the whole block to smooth out the shape of the cake and seal in crumbs. Information technology doesn't demand to be a thick coat and it's okay if it'south a little mess. The "naked block" look that is and then popular correct now is often just a unproblematic crumb coat.

1) Apply crumb coat

Starting at the superlative and working your way downwardly, use the crumb coat, filling in whatever gaps or uneven surfaces. If your frosting is pretty thick, you may desire to thin is out with a tablespoon or two of milk. Then, chill in the fridge for about thirty minutes.

2) Utilise final coat

Stop the cake with a thicker coat of frosting, again starting at the pinnacle and working your way down. Yous can use an offset spatula or bench scraper to even out the sides and top. Using a turntable and long gentle strokes is the all-time style to get a smooth finish. Arctic in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting.

Looking for more assist + footstep-by-step photos? See my complete guide on how to frost a layer cake.

Storing and transporting your block

I like to store my finished cakes in the fridge to keep them cold and business firm, and also to proceed them protected from accidents and curious fingers. They'll keep for up to several days. In one case cutting, cover with plastic wrap to proceed the cake from drying out.

If you're planning to transport your cake, arctic it for at to the lowest degree 1 hour after assembly to make sure it'due south really solid and just remove it from the fridge just earlier transportation. Consider putting it in a box or cake keeper to protect it. If it'southward a larger cake, yous may also consider inserting dowels into the cake to concord information technology in identify (I only do this for stacked cakes or cakes larger than x inches).

Savor

And that's it! You've successfully built a layer cake! I hope you lot've found this tutorial helpful. If you lot have whatever tips of your ain, please feel free to share them in the comments!

Shop my favorite cake tools

This mail was originally published February 2011. Photos and content have been updated.

Source: https://www.completelydelicious.com/how-to-build-a-layered-cake/

Posted by: shepherdangly1948.blogspot.com

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