I am making a birthday cake for my son, but can never seem to get the frosting to be smoothed out. Any tips for a beginner that are sure to work?
2006-07-08 05:24:35 · 12 answers · asked by piffken 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Dip your knife, spatula in some warm water. Let the water drip off and frost away.
2006-07-08 05:27:23 · answer #1 · answered by Dee 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Use a long spatula with a blade at least 10 inches long - a 12 inch blade is even better.
Invest in a turn-table, inexpensive ones made of plastic are available in cookware stores at reasonable price.
Be sure the cake is cool, you can't frost a warm cake.
The icing should be the right consistency, not too stiff and not too runny. It should move easily when you spread it and not fall or sag after its in place.
Apply icing to the sides of the cake first. Smooth the sides by turning the cake as you hold the spatula against it; the spatula should be held upright with tip against the bottom edge of the cake and the handle uppermost. Use light strokes of the spatula as you turn the cake until the the sides are even and smooth.
When you are satisfied with the sides, spread frosting on the top. Smooth the icing into an even layer over the top of the cake, again with light strokes. The top edge of the cake is squared off by holding the spatula horizontally and smoothing the icing inwards from the the edge of the cake towards its center. Four or five strokes of the spatula, moving the cake a quarter turn after each stroke should give you a nice square corner where the top meets the side.
Wetting your spatula may help with butter cream type icings but will create problems with boiled and royal icings.
Icing a cake has a definite learning curve and the more you do it the better you will become. Your early efforts will still taste good even if they don't look absolutely perfect. I hope this is of some help to you. Good luck
2006-07-08 12:30:11 · answer #2 · answered by allankw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure that your cake is COOLED. this is tough, because we always want to hurry, but it does help. Then lightly brush off any crumbs. Use a knife with a flat edge or get an icing spreader, wilton makes a nice one and you can get it at mass merchandiser ( read walmart) . Make sure you stir the frosting well and that it is at room temp. Scoop about 1/4 th of the frosting on the top of the cake, then using long strokes spread the frosting across. then put more frosting on your spreader, and holding it vertical to the cake ( if it's a layer cake) work on the sides going again in long strokes.
Good Luck, and no matter if it doesnt come out perfect, you made it with love and I'm sure it will taste wonderful
2006-07-08 12:30:12 · answer #3 · answered by kimberc13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Michael's and get a cake turntable and a long -10"- offset spatula
frost the top of the cake first and then holding the spatula in a vertical position do the sides. The turntable allows you to apply an even smooth layer of frosting.
2006-07-08 12:59:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dip your knife in hot water.Let the water drip off the knife(a little water is okay,it actually helps smooth the cake.You may have to do this several times.If you just can't smooth it out,then get a textured paper towel and lightly press it on the cake.This gives the cake an entirely different look.Good Luck!â¥
2006-07-08 12:31:36 · answer #5 · answered by bamahotT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It probably isn't entirely your fault. Try putting the icing in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds so it will soften up and become easier to spread. Also, if you are using a knife, don't press to hard or be too rough on the cake.
2006-07-08 12:31:31 · answer #6 · answered by Sarah B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you use Crisco instead of butter or margarine to make the frosting it will still taste as well and will smoothe out better on the cake. This is what professionals use.
2006-07-08 12:30:05 · answer #7 · answered by Spiritssong1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dip a smooth edged metal table knife in very warm water. keep it wet with very warm water as you smooth out the icing. You can use the smooth edge of any table knife.
2006-07-08 12:50:05 · answer #8 · answered by meimmoody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the whipping cream icing, more fluffy than the normal icing and i use a spoon (dipped in warm water) to spread over the icing and just use circular motion, a lil design.
goodluck and happy bday to ur son
2006-07-08 12:29:43 · answer #9 · answered by yahoo2006 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can make it easier to spread by either microwaving for a few seconds or beating in a little karo syrup.
2006-07-08 19:33:58 · answer #10 · answered by cricket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋