How to Frost a Layer Cake

buttermilk

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + vinegar

Greek yogurt adds creaminess with fewer calories.

unsalted butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a healthier fat option.

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

powdered sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: granulated sugar

Coconut sugar is a less processed alternative.

Prepare cake layers and assemble them with a crumb coat.

Chill the assembled cake correctly before frosting.

Use gel colors to tint the buttercream for better consistency.

Check buttercream consistency: it should not be too stiff or tear easily when stirred.

To thin out buttercream, add milk one spoonful at a time or microwave a third of the buttercream for 10 seconds until runny, then mix it back in.

Dump buttercream onto the top of the cake and spread it to cover the top and extend over the sides.

Hold the offset spatula at a 45° angle and spin the cake to flatten the frosting on top.

Spread buttercream from side to side, covering the entire cake without worrying about smoothness at this stage.

Ensure the frosting covers the crumb coat down to the cake board.

Check the evenness of the frosting and add more where it's thinner, especially around the top.

Use a cake comb to scrape the frosting smooth by holding it against the cake board and spinning the turntable.

After scraping, check for thinner areas and apply more frosting as needed.

Use a metal cake comb for better results, as it doesn’t get damaged easily and can be heated to smooth the frosting.

Tidy up the top edge with a clean offset spatula, pushing sideways to avoid bulging the sides.

Scrape any excess frosting off the top edge and spin the cake to smooth each section.

Fill in any gaps or indents with more buttercream and scrape again for smoothness.

Ensure the top edge is straight and level all the way around the cake.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens