How to Ice a Cake

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Whether it's a chocolate, lemon, or carrot cake, this popular confection just isn't complete until it has been iced. A finished cake will taste good no matter how you ice it, but if you want it to look pretty, there are a few tips you should employ. Read on to learn how to ice a basic cake or a layer cake.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Basic Icing Technique

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  1. It's best to ice the cake on the same dish you plan to use to serve it, since after the cake has been iced it will be difficult to transport it to a different plate.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    If you try to ice the cake before it's cool, the icing may melt, ruining the texture. [1] Let it sit at room temperature until you don't feel warmth when you touch it with your finger. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    For a cake that is 9 inches (22.9 cm) in diameter, you will need a cup or so of confectioner's sugar. You can always mix up more if you need it.
    • Do not use granulated sugar, as it is not fine enough, and will result in a grainy-textured icing.
    • Other sugars, such as brown sugar, are also not acceptable to use in icing.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Pour a teaspoon of boiling water over the sugar, and stir the water with the sugar until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. [3]
    • If you find the icing too thick or lumpy after the first teaspoon of water has been stirred in, add another teaspoon of water. Keep stirring and adding tiny amounts of water till you get the right consistency.
    • If you add too much water and the icing becomes runny, add more confectioner's sugar. If it's too thick, add more water.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    If you wish to customize your icing to a certain color or flavor, add a few drops of food coloring and flavoring. Stir them in thoroughly, and continue adding color and flavor until the icing has reached the color and taste that you desire.
    • Vanilla, almond, hazelnut, peppermint, and other flavored extracts are popular choices. These can be purchased at many grocery stores, and even large selections are offered at baking stores.
    • Be careful not to add too much, since a little color and flavor go a long way. Add two or three drops, stir it in, and taste and look at before you decide to add more.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Use a spoon to place some icing on the top of the cake. Spread it evenly with a butter knife, using the same motion you'd use to spread butter onto a piece of bread.
    • Remember to spread icing on the sides of the cake, as well as the top.
    • Create a smoother layer of icing by dipping the knife into warm water, shaking off the excess drops, and using it smooth out the icing.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Add sprinkles, marzipan models, plastic characters, birthday candles and so on. Baking supply stores offer endless possibilities.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Put the cake in the fridge to give the icing time to completely set. After half an hour, it will be ready to eat.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Layer Cake Icing Technique

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  1. Bake two cake layers of the same size. You may choose round or square cakes, but it's important that the dimensions be exactly the same. Allow the cakes to cool completely. [4]
  2. Since the cake will be unwieldy once it is layered and iced, it's best to use the same plate on which you plan to serve the cake.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Hold the knife parallel to the brim of the cake and slice about 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0.6 cm) off the top. Be careful to slice straight across, holding the knife level as you go.
    • Try to create a flat, even surface. This will serve as a base for the second layer.
    • Remove the rounded top of the cake and discard it, or save it to eat.
    • Don't attempt to cut off the top of the cake with a small knife, as this will result in an uneven surface.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Spoon the filling of your choice onto the bottom layer of the cake. Use the spoon or a knife to spread it around until it covers the entire layer.
    • Raspberry, lemon curd, cream, or chocolate are popular cake fillings.
    • Try not to let the filling drip over the edges, since you don't want it to mix with the icing.
  5. The flat side of the second layer should be down, and the rounded side should be the top of the cake.
    • If you want the finished cake to have a flat surface instead of a domed one, repeat the process of slicing off the rounded top of the second layer with a serrated knife. Place the cut side down, so that the smooth, flat bottom of the second layer forms the top of the cake.
    • Use a paper towel to wipe away filling that squeezes out when you add the second layer.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    For a professional-looking cake, you'll be adding two layers of icing, starting with a "crumb coat" that serves as a base to catch all the crumbs, so the second layer looks clean and crumb-free. Use the recipe above or your own icing recipe to ice the cake with a butter knife.
    • The crumb coat needn't have flavor or color, unless you'd like it to. You can use plain white icing.
    • Be sure to ice the entire cake, including the sides. Take care not to get too much filling mixed in with the icing.
    • It's OK if the crumb coat doesn't look perfect - the point is simply to cover the entire cake and trap in the crumbs.
    • Allow the crumb coat to set for half an hour before continuing.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Ice a Cake
    Using the recipe above or your own icing recipe, ice the cake once more with a final pretty layer.
    • If desired, add flavor and color to the batch of icing you use for the final layer.
    • Decorate the cake with cut fruit, flowers, or other toppings, then allow it to set before eating.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Should I refrigerate cake before frosting?
    Mathew Rice
    Professional Baker & Dessert Influencer
    Mathew Rice has worked in restaurant pastry kitchens across the country since the late 1990's, and currently owns Pink Door Cookies in Nashville. His creations have been featured in Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Weddings. In 2016, Eater named Mathew one of the top 18 chefs to follow on Instagram. In 2018, he appeared in season 18 of the Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay and won his episode.
    Mathew Rice
    Professional Baker & Dessert Influencer
    Expert Answer
    You can even freeze the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven! When it thaws, the cake will become more moist, which makes icing much easier. Plus, there's not nearly as many of those pesky crumbs to deal with!
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 7
  • Question
    How do I write "Happy Birthday" on the cake?
    Community Answer
    You'll need a piping bag if you want to write with icing. You pour the icing in, hold on to the top, and squeeze the icing out of a small hole in the bottom of the piping bag with your other hand, writing with the tip.
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  • Question
    What can I do to get a very smooth surface on my icing?
    Community Answer
    You can buy an icing smoother from your local craft store. It's like a slender spatula with a flat blade designed to smooth surfaces like cakes.
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      Tips

      • Confectioner's sugar is also known as powdered sugar, icing sugar, or 10X sugar.
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      • If you've been a bit slow and the icing is starting to harden up before you have put it on the cake, stick it in the microwave on full power for 10 seconds. This should sort it out and make it runny again.
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      • If you slip and pour in more than a couple of teaspoons of water, start again, as you need about 3-4 heaped teaspoons of icing sugar per teaspoon of hot water. If you pour in half a cup of water, you'll need the entire bag of icing sugar.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Confectioner's sugar
      • Boiling water
      • Bowl
      • Teaspoon
      • Cake
      • Food coloring and flavoring
      • Filling

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/why-you-should-chill-your-cake-before-frosting-230667
      2. ↑ https://www.myrecipes.com/cooking-method/baking-recipes/frosting-mistakes-to-avoid
      3. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/basic-sugar-glaze-51157020
      4. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/baking/how-to-frost-a-cake

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To ice a cake, first make your icing by combining confectioner’s sugar with boiling water, then stirring until it gets to your desired consistency. Flavor it with vanilla and add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Place a spoonful of icing on top of the cake and spread it evenly across the top and sides. For a smoother layer, dip your knife in warm water, shake off the excess drop, and run it over the icing surface. Place your iced cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set, then enjoy! If you want to learn more from our Professional Baker co-author, like how to use icing between layers on a cake, keep reading the article!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Mary Akao

        Jan 10, 2017

        "I was impressed. Immediately after reading, I went into practice, and had my lovely cake iced. Such simple steps, ..." more
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