Have you ever had a fiasco with your cake filling? If so, this article is for you. Here you will know how to keep cake layers from sliding.
A delicious, homemade dessert is an impressive way to end a fabulous meal. Achieving a bakery look at home is possible with minimal time and effort if you know what shortcuts to take, such as buying prepared frosting.
Unlike homemade frosting, icing from a can has a perfect consistency every time, which is crucial in getting your top layers to stay nice and sturdy. However, if you want to keep cake layers from sliding, you should start it from the very beginning of making your cake. To do so-
- Allow the cakes to cool after being removed from the oven so that the icing does not melt. Place your hand on top of the cake for a few seconds to test for heat if you are unsure.
- Prepare cake surface by covering a piece of cardboard, plastic container cover, or other flat, clean surface with aluminum foil. Otherwise, wash and dry the surface.
- Remove the first cake from its pan by loosening the edges with a knife and then quickly flipping it onto a plate so that the upside faces down. Then, flip the cake onto the flat surface that you have prepared. So, it is right-side up.
- Place the long knife at the edge of the cake running vertically so that the length runs the entire length of the cake. Cut a thin layer off the top of the cake to even the surface.
- Spread a layer of frosting evenly across the top of the cake. Remove the second cake from the pan in the same way that you removed the first. Carefully line up the edge of the plate with the bottom layer of cake and flip the second layer on top. Adjust accordingly.
Repeat the evening and frosting process if you have more than two layers. After placing your layers on top of one another, try not to move the cake or the surface. Frequent handling can cause the layers to shift, which will make them slide, break or fall apart.
However, if you have followed the process already described on the top, I will give you some tips you should follow to keep your cake layer from sliding. Here they are-
1. Do not stack uneven cake layers
It is common for your cake layers to become uneven when baked. If you stack these uneven layers, it will create an unbalanced cake with a high risk of falling over. Do level and trim your layers once they are cooled. Use a long serrated knife to gently shave off the dome or uneven sides, leveling the layer.
2. Do not frost warm layers
To get the best result, you should not frost warm layers. When you plan to bake a cake, you must give enough time for the layers to cool completely. If you think you will not get enough time on the frosting day, you may consider baking the cake layers the day before you plan to frost it.
3. Do not allow leaky fillings
Certain fillings are firm and stable enough to be spread across the layers of a cake. They will not seep out in between the layers. Thinner fillings, like pastry creams and fruit purées, are so soft that, if not sealed, they will leak out and down the sides of the cake. To create a border for the filling, pipe a single ring around the outer edge of the cake layer.
4. Do not skip the crumb coating
Bumpy, crumb-filled frosting can mar the beauty of an otherwise perfect layer cake. If you want a smooth finish on your cake, apply the crumb coating. Do take the time to spread a crumb coating. Spread an even, thin layer of frosting to the top and sides of the cake. Cover the cake and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before applying the final layer of frosting.
If you follow the instructions till now, we hope you can protect your cake layers free from sliding.
