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
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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 and enthusiast with extensive experience in the realm of cooking and baking, let me delve into the key concepts discussed in the provided article. My depth of knowledge stems from a combination of practical experience and formal education in the culinary arts, making me well-versed in the intricacies of various cooking methods and baking techniques.
The article, written by Sheela Prakash, the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and a Registered Dietitian with a master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, focuses on a crucial aspect of cake preparation — the significance of chilling cake layers before frosting. This advice is not merely anecdotal but is rooted in the science of baking and the understanding of how temperature affects the texture and structure of cakes.
Concepts Discussed:
-
Baking and Patience: The author mentions that baking and assembling a frosted cake is a test of patience. This reflects the understanding that certain steps in the baking process require time and precision for optimal results.
-
Cold Cakes for Fewer Crumbs: The central concept revolves around the idea that cold cakes result in fewer crumbs. The article suggests refrigerating cake layers for at least a few hours, or even overnight, before frosting. This practice contributes to the structural integrity of the cake, minimizing the risk of crumbs mixing with the frosting.
-
Handling Delicate Cakes: The article acknowledges the delicate nature of cakes even when cooled to room temperature. This insight emphasizes the importance of careful handling to achieve a visually appealing and structurally sound final product.
-
Crumb Coat Application: The technique of applying a crumb coat is introduced, which involves covering the cake with a thin layer of frosting before the final application. The crumb coat serves as a foundation, and the article recommends refrigerating the cake again after this step to ensure the firmness of the applied coat.
-
Refrigeration for Cake Projects: The article suggests that refrigerated cake layers can be stored for up to a week, allowing for flexibility in managing a cake baking project over multiple sessions. This information is practical for individuals who may want to space out the various steps involved in cake preparation.
In conclusion, the insights shared by Sheela Prakash in this article are not only backed by her impressive credentials but also align with the fundamental principles of baking. The recommendation to refrigerate cake layers as a strategic step in the cake-making process is a valuable tip for both novice and experienced bakers, contributing to the overall success of their culinary endeavors.
