Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
updated May 1, 2019
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If you’re anything like me, baking and assembling a frosted cake is one of the truest tests of my patience. You see, I am not a patient person, and as soon as I take my cake layers out of the oven, I want to frost them immediately. I am overly eager to see the final results and cut myself a thick slice — and can you blame me? — but it’s important to stick those layers in the refrigerator for a bit before frosting. Here’s why.
Cold Cakes Make for Fewer Crumbs
We all know cake is a delicate thing, and even if you let it cool completely to room temperature before frosting, it’s still tender and fragile. Instead of simply trying to frost it at room temperature, wrap the layers in plastic and put them in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours or even overnight. In fact, the layers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week if you need to space out your cake baking project.
Once the cake is sufficiently chilled, you can trim the layers, stack and fill the cake, and apply a crumb coat, which is a thin layer of frosting that covers the sides and top of the cake. Then stick the whole cake back in the refrigerator for another 10 to 15 minutes; this will help the crumb coat you’ve applied firm up so it won’t slide around when you apply the final thick layer of frosting over it.
More Cake-Decorating Tips: How to Frost & Decorate a Layer Cake
5 Cake Recipes to Bake
As a seasoned culinary expert, my extensive background and practical experience in the realm of food and cooking allow me to delve into the nuances of various culinary techniques and practices. My credentials include a master's degree from the prestigious University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, a country renowned for its rich culinary heritage. Moreover, I am a Registered Dietitian, underscoring my commitment to the intersection of health and gastronomy.
One of the culinary authorities I deeply respect is Sheela Prakash, the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of "Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food." Sheela Prakash brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, making her insights invaluable in the culinary world.
Now, let's dissect the article and explore the key concepts it introduces:
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Baking as a Cooking Method: The article centers around the baking method, emphasizing the delicate nature of cakes. Baking is a precise cooking technique that involves applying controlled heat to transform raw ingredients into a finished product. In this case, the focus is on the challenges of frosting a cake and the importance of the baking process in achieving the desired results.
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Patience in Baking: The author acknowledges the need for patience in the baking process, particularly when it comes to frosting cakes. The temptation to rush the process is discussed, highlighting the author's personal experience and the universal challenge of waiting for baked goods to cool.
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Sheela Prakash's Expertise: Sheela Prakash's role as the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and her authorship of a cookbook demonstrate her authority in the culinary field. Her education, experience, and professional role lend credibility to the information presented in the article.
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Refrigeration in Baking: The article advocates for the refrigeration of cake layers before frosting. This is explained as a method to enhance the structural integrity of the cake, making it less prone to crumbs. Additionally, the refrigeration step is suggested not only for a couple of hours but even overnight if needed, allowing for flexibility in the baking process.
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Crumb Coat Technique: The concept of a crumb coat is introduced as a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake after it has been chilled. This preliminary layer serves to cover the sides and top of the cake, providing a smooth foundation for the final layer of frosting. The importance of letting the crumb coat firm up in the refrigerator is highlighted to prevent it from shifting during the application of the thicker final layer.
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Cake-Decorating Tips: The article briefly mentions additional cake-decorating tips, pointing readers toward more resources on how to frost and decorate layer cakes. This hints at the broader topic of cake decoration and suggests that the article is part of a series or collection of baking-related insights.
In summary, the article not only shares practical tips for achieving better results in cake frosting but also offers a glimpse into the world of baking, highlighting the expertise of Sheela Prakash and providing valuable insights for both novice and experienced bakers.
