How to Frost a Cake

Check out our video and tips on how to frost a cake. Once you learn how easy it is, in no time at all, you'll be sayin', "OOH, IT'S SO GOOD!!®"

1. Make sure your cake is completely cool. After you've baked your cake, put it on a cooling rack to cool. Cooling makes the cake easier to frost, so it won't start to crumble as you frost it. It also prevents your frosting from melting. 
2. Place it on the serving platter. Once it's ready to frost, place your cake on the serving platter. You can also choose to place the serving platter on a rotating tray, like a Lazy Susan, to make it easier to rotate and frost all around your cake. 
3. Keep your serving platter clean by using wax paper or parchment paper. Just place the paper underneath the cake, so you don't have to worry about getting your serving platter covered in frosting. You'll just remove the paper after you're done! 
4. If your cake has a dome, cut the top off. Use a serrated knife to cut the domed part of the cake off. You don't want to frost over a dome, since your frosting may slide away from the top. 
5. Add dollops of frosting to your cake and begin spreading. Use an offset spatula to smooth and frost. You'll want to start frosting from the center and work your way outwards. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth; the first layer of frosting is known as the crumb coat. 
6. Rotate the cake as you frost. Rotating makes it easier to frost your cake. 
7. Chill before adding another layer. Before putting your second layer on top, be sure to chill the first one. 
8. Make your frosting smooth. Once you've got the desired amount of layers, you can go ahead and smooth out your frosting by placing the offset spatula flat against the cake and going slowly back and forth across the surface.
9. Refrigerate until set. This can take about a half hour, but your frosting will look great. Make sure to remove the wax paper and you're ready to show off your cake masterpiece! Enjoy!