Cake Baking & Decorating Tips

I came across a fantastic & very helpful list of helpful hints on decorating & baking cakes.  While we won’t dare to dream as big as Chef Duff Goldman, we can come within a few thousand feet, right? 

Taking the Stress out of Complex Cake Decorating Tips:

• 4 Days before: Make Frosting
• 3 Days before: Divide and Color Frosting
• 2 Days before: Make and Bake Cake
• 1 Day before: Frost and Decorate Cake

Store cake in the refrigerator. Cover completely with plastic wrap to prevent drying. Use toothpicks to keep plastic wrap from smashing icing.
 

Cake Baking Tips:

• Grease and flour your pan every time.
• Allow pan to cool 5-10 minutes before removing cake from pan
• If checking cake with a toothpick, check in multiple places. To insure there aren’t pockets of dough that aren’t finished.
• Wrap the outside of your cake pan with a wet towel before baking. Secure towel ends with safety pins. The wet towel will help the cake bake evenly, reducing the need to level the cake before decorating.

Frosting / Decorating Cake Tips:

• Always frost when cake has completely cooled.
• If using prepared frosting, or frosting that has sat for a while, whip 1-2 minutes before using.
• For an extremely smooth base frosting, measure 1-1/2 cups frosting and thin with 1-2 teaspoons light corn syrup.
• If using multiple colors of frosting on cake, mix frosting colors in small airtight containers before you start decorating.
• If using a fluffy frosting, it is best to frost the cake on the day it is being served.

Eat well & Laugh often!