How to Frost a Cake

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How to Frost a Cake

By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

All of us here at Paula’s test kitchen are crazy for cakes! Nothing says party like a beautifully frosted layer cake with thick swirls of glossy chocolaty goodness. Follow Paula’s frosting tips so you can have your cake and eat it, too!

Cool your Cake
The first step in frosting a beautiful cake is to make sure you completely cool off your cake after baking. If the cake is still warm it can melt the frosting and leave a big droopy mess.

Trim the Layers to Make a Flat Surface
If your cake is not flat, trim off the top of the dome with a large serrated knife to create an even layer. Use a serrated so the cake does not tear. To prevent a dome before baking, gently tap your batter filled pans on the counter to let the air bubbles escape.

Add Parchment to Protect your Cake Plate
Place the first round of cake on the plate or pedestal you want to serve it on. Tuck in strips of parchment underneath the cake to protect the cake stand and to keep everything nice and neat when frosting.

Brush Away the Crumbs
Take a minute to brush away any crumbs from moving the cake or trimming the top. Crumbs can ruin a cake!

Begin to Frost
Add about a ½ cup dollop of frosting to the first layer of cake and, spread the frosting evenly, in short strokes while working your way to the edges.

Paula likes to use a butter knife but an offset spatula will also work great. Top the cake with the second layer (top side down to create the most even layer).

Paula uses wooden skewers inserted into the cake to keep it from sliding. Repeat frosting the top cake layer, letting extra frosting accumulate at the edge of the cake.

Using the flat edge of your knife or spatula, push the extra frosting over the sides of the cake. Turn the cake stand with your hand as you frost the sides of the cake.

Decorate the Top
For a real homemade look, use the back of a spoon to make nice swirls and ridges on the top of the cake. Remove the parchment paper and voila! There you have it, a whimsical frosted old -fashioned layer cake!

Reader Comments:

paula, love all about you & your shows & recipes. Do you sift confect.sugar!!! thanks,

By barbara reece on August 13, 2012

hi Paula i love your recipes..... i would like to learn how to make frosting for cupcakes plssss......and continue to do what u do best love melissa

By Melissa Ramsaroop on April 02, 2012

Paula read the Prevention booklet about you, you were saying Coconut ckae was your favorite, you have several whick one do you like the best. i do bake alot of your cakes. Which I have won a Blue Ribbon at the County Fair. I have made Bobbies deliouse. Thanks, love your magazine can wait to get my issues in the mail. Wanda

By Wanda Pope on April 01, 2012

Paula:I think you got a bad rap.I use butter a lot,I just lightnin up a bit on things. Yours,truly Larry.

By larry nichols on March 24, 2012

Paula, I love you and love your shows, and hoping to see Bobby have a cookbook soon of Not My Mama's Meals. Some day I hope to take one of your cruises with you. My thought is this, you have the most beautiful clothes and I was wondering where you get them. Brenda

By Brenda Corrado on March 22, 2012

Hello, Excuse my bold letters " I JUST LOVE YOU & YOUR RECIPES". i love cooking, and of course love to learn diffrent type of cuisine. You inspire me a lot. wish you all the best.

By Shyamali Sinha on March 21, 2012

hi mrs paula you are the best! the reason why i love you so much is that even though you cook like a southerner,you also cook like a bahamian i am for real.sometimes when i watch your show i would wish that i was living with you just so i could get to eat all those incredible meals that you make. you are my favourite cooking person and i love you.may god continue to bless and keep you so that my stomache can stay full!lol

By melinda daniel on March 20, 2012

is it possible to get the recipe for this choc icing?? I've never found a good recipe for chocolate frosting. Love you all Pat

By pat hykes on March 20, 2012

Dear Paula, hi i love watching your show,you are the best i am hoping some day in my life i will get too meet you and your family. That is one thing on my bucket list.

By Dawn Weikel on March 20, 2012

<3 =) <3

By Sissie on March 20, 2012

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How to Frost a Cake