Looking for video tutorials? Check out my Cake Basics series on YouTube! You’ll learn how to trim and slice, how to fill a layer cake, how to crumb coat and how to decorate!
As a result of your comments about what cake decorating techniques you want to learn I created a series of YouTube videos on how to make a layer cake, starting with how to trim and how to fill a layer cake.
I figure we should start at the beginning. There is no sense in learning how to pipe the perfect rose if your cake is listing and the icing is falling off or covered in cake crumbs. It is just as important to know how to slice and fill your cake, as it is to write “Happy Birthday” in fancy letters, so I am going to show you how to create a professional looking cake from start to finish.
Cake Basics Video Tutorials
How to Trim & Slice a Layer Cake
In this video I show you how to trim a cake and cut it into layers, and in my other videos you’ll see how I fill it and create the perfect foundation for the cake you see above. In the next few posts I will teach you to crumb coat, cover the cake with smooth buttercream and decorate it for a special occasion.
How to Fill a Layer Cake
After you’ve baked your layers and trimmed and sliced them, it’s time to fill your layer cake! Here I fill them with buttercream and lemon curd. You can find all the recipes I used in my cake tutorials in my cookbook, Zoë Bakes Cakes, which can be found wherever books are sold.
Cake Decorating Tools
- Revolving Cake Decorating Stand
– this is an essential piece of equipment for making a smooth cake more easily. There are many types, but I like one with some weight on the base so it won’t move around as you are using it.
- 10-Inch Super Slicer
– This serrated knife makes slicing your cakes much easier and because it has a rounded edge, instead of pointed teeth, it kicks up far less crumbs. I also use this knife for finely chopping chocolate.
Next check out How to Crumb Coat a Cake. Doing a proper crumb coat gives you the insurance that cake crumbs won’t end up messing up your final layer of icing. Then onto writing like a pro.
i cant get this video to pull up ! :(((
It should be working now!
I wanted to know how you make the nut filling for the cake.
Thanks for the video too. 🙂
Thanks!
Thanks for all the ideas but I need to know why you need not crumb coat for the chocolate cake where you put the frosting
Hi Wendy,
A crumb coat isn’t always absolutely necessary, but it gives you extra insurance to make sure crumbs don’t show up on the outside of the icing. Here is a video on how to do the crumb coat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKzxUEVDMZA&list=UUnLXSFdNBPDozhsyJfgyIkg&index=10&feature=plcp
Thanks, Zoë
I have a wedding coming up and my fiance and I have decided to make our own cake. I stumbled across this tutorial on youtube, I found your website, and I’ve been watching your videos and reading your posts over and over again almost every day! A great wedding gift would be a new ZoeBakes video every week 😉 You’re wonderful!
Also, I was wondering what kind of nut filling you used in this video?
Hey! I was wondering what kind of a cake is used in this video, and also, did you just bake it in a 6 by 2 round pan? Or deeper?
Hi Jenny,
That is my banana cake recipe. My 6-inch cake pan is 3-inches tall.
Thanks, Zoë
Love!!!
Do you have an email subscribe list? I dont happen to see it, but Id love to follow you!
Cammy
[email protected]
Hi Cammy,
Thanks for the idea, we will get on that. Until then we can offer the RSS.
Thanks, Zoë
Great video, looking forward to the next one.
I put toothpicks around the cake (about 6-7 of them) then weave unwaxed dental floss around them, cross the ends, then pull. Works every time for a clean cut.
Hi S.Lynn,
Fabulous idea, I’ll give it a try!
Thanks, Zoë
I love this new posts serie, you had a great idea…
Thanks for than information, is always very useful. I must buy a rotating stands. Thanks again as always your information is fantastic!!!!
You make it look sooo easy~!! Luvvit~! ;+)
I use to do it this way, and obviously was very bad in keep it nice and even during the cut, rotating stand and all.. so I found this and it’s the best thing ever! Nice, even cuts…
http://astore.amazon.com/sweetbites-20/detail/B004705VGM
Love your tutorials (and your site), cannot wait for the next one!
Didn’t know this. It’s really helpful and you made it easy. Many thanks Zoë!
Awesome! Can’t wait for the rest.
wish I could get video.
Darn dial-up!
Excellent video, Zoe! Can’t wait for part 2 🙂
I agree on the rotating stand. I just use a circular spice rack and a cake stand, though. Works perfectly!
Hi Rachael,
Very cool idea! Anything that rotates will do the trick!
Cheers, Zoë