From prepping your cake pans to applying frosting, I'll show you everything you need to know to build a cute layer cake!

Frosting the chocolate sour cream cake

Allow me confess that I haven't always known what I was doing, or fifty-fifty what I was supposed to be doing when information technology came to making a layer cake. Oh no, I've had my fair share of cake disasters! I've learned through lots of practice and tips I've picked up from other bakers and bloggers. All of it paid off and I experience like I can safely say that I know how to build a layer block.

I like to use the word "build" because in my stance, at that place's so much more that goes into a block as well knowing how to frost it. Today I want to prove y'all how I exercise it, from commencement to finish. I'm sure it'south not the only mode, it's merely my way, and it has worked actually well for me.

This tutorial has been on my blog since 2011 and since then I've broken up each piece into its own post. What once was an unbearably long-winded post is now hopefully a little easier to navigate. Just don't worry, I'll link you over to the other tutorials and so you won't miss a matter. Ready? Permit'south get started!

(Disclosure: affiliate links below.)

Always line cake pans with parchment paper

Prep your block pans

The first matter you demand to practice is prep your cake pans. Nothing stops a layer cake in its tracks like layers that stick or pause apart as you remove them from the pan. Hither are ii steps to set your cake pans to brand certain the cake comes out perfectly every time.

1) Use parchment paper

The most of import preparation you tin make when baking a cake is to line the pan(s) with parchment newspaper. This ensures that the bottom of the cake will non stick to the pan, and that it will all come out in ane piece. I never bake a cake without parchment paper! Yous can trace and cut full sheets of parchment paper to fit your cake pans, or you buy rounds of parchment newspaper.

two)Grease with butter + flour OR nonstick baking spray

Creating a barrier betwixt your block batter and pans ensure nothing sticks as it bakes. You can either coat parchment paper lined block pans with a layer of butter (or margarine or shortening) so dust with flour to create a barrier, or you can use a nonstick spray. Bakers Joy is a cheap option that you can find at nigh any grocery shop, but y'all can also discover more heavy duty products at restaurant or baking supply stores or online.

Looking for more help + footstep-by-step photos? See my consummate guide on how to keep block from sticking to the pan.

How to bake flat even cake layers

Bake apartment even block layers

Once you've prepped your pans and made your cake concoction, the next step is to bake! Of course, you can just pour the cake concoction into the pans, but two simple tricks will ensure all of your block layers will exist the same size and have a flat pinnacle, which makes assembly a whole lot easier.

1) Use a digital scale to measure and distribute your cake concoction

Weighing your cake pans equally you fill up them ensures each layer will exist exactly the same size. I love my digital calibration for this purpose.

2) Reduce baking temperature

There are several ways to bake a block with a flat top, just this is my favorite. It requires no extra tools! Simply reduce the temperature by 25 degrees and increase baking time by one half. The lower temperature slows the oven spring as the block bakes, preventing a dome from forming. Here'southward how to practice it:

The recipe says to bake at 350 degrees for xxx min → Instead, bake at 325 degrees for 30 min + fifteen min, or 45 minutes full. I usually take a quick peek once I've reached the original baking time and and then every 5 minutes after that only to be certain I don't over bake information technology, but this aligning is commonly pretty accurate.

Looking for more than help + stride-by-stride photos? See my consummate guide on how to bake flat cake layers.

How to store and freeze cake layers from completelydelicious.com

Prep and store cake layers in advance

Building a layer cake is typically a 2 twenty-four hours process for me. I similar to bake the cake layers and let them arctic in the fridge overnight. This style they are cold and firm when I work with them, and less likely to movement around or crack. Sometimes it's helpful to programme fifty-fifty farther ahead, and so here are 2 ways to store cake layers in advance.

1) In the refrigerator

The fridge is a great identify to shop private cake layers brusque term. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 3-5 days.

two) In the freezer

Cake layers freeze very well and the freezer is a great option if y'all demand to store them for more than a few days. Double wrap with plastic wrap and freeze for upwards to 1 month, or possibly longer. To thaw, let them sit down at room temperature side-by-side (not stacked) in their wrappings for several hours and upwardly to overnight.

Looking for more help + stride-past-pace photos? See my complete guide on how to shop block layers.

How to build a layer cake

Assemble layer cake

While not necessary, I like to use a turntable and cardboard cake rounds when assembling a layer cake. Paper-thin cake rounds make information technology easy to transport the cake back and forth from the fridge and to your cake stand, and a turntable makes frosting the block and then much simpler!

1) To assemble, first place a cooled/chilled cake layer pinnacle side-down on a cardboard round, or directly onto yous cake stand or plate. This way you'll take a smooth surface to work with.

2) Top with a layer of frosting or filling, about 1 cup for an 8 or 9-inch block. If yous're using a softer filling like lemon curd or preserves, starting time make a "dam" of frosting effectually the perimeter of your cake circular. This will keep the filling from leaking out. You can utilise a piping bag and tip, or just utilise a spatula.

three) Echo with remaining layers. If y'all'd like to divide your block layers horizontally to create more layers (2 layers become four, for example), utilise a knife to first score the cake layer all mode around. And then use a large serrated pocketknife to cutting the layer in half, using the scored line every bit a guide. For more assist with splitting cakes + step-past-step photos, see my consummate guide on how to cut a block into even cake layers.

Learn how to build a layer cake on completelydelicious.com

Frost layer block

The most of import part of frosting a cake is the crumb coat, and it'south the all-time fashion to take your layers cakes to the adjacent level. A crumb coat is a sparse coating of frosting spread over the whole cake to smooth out the shape of the cake and seal in crumbs. It doesn't demand to exist a thick coat and it's okay if it's a little mess. The "naked cake" look that is so popular right now is oft but a simple crumb coat.

1) Utilise crumb coat

Starting at the top and working your way downward, apply the nibble coat, filling in whatever gaps or uneven surfaces. If your frosting is pretty thick, you may desire to thin is out with a tablespoon or ii of milk. Then, chill in the fridge for almost xxx minutes.

2) Employ terminal coat

Finish the cake with a thicker glaze of frosting, again starting at the top and working your fashion downwards. You can employ an outset spatula or bench scraper to even out the sides and top. Using a turntable and long gentle strokes is the best way to become a smooth finish. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting.

Looking for more help + step-by-step photos? Run across my consummate guide on how to frost a layer cake.

This brown sugar cinnamon layer cake is full of autumn flavor and spice, with moist cake layers and the fluffiest buttercream frosting!

Storing and transporting your cake

I similar to shop my finished cakes in the fridge to keep them cold and firm, and also to keep them protected from accidents and curious fingers. They'll keep for up to several days. Once cut, cover with plastic wrap to keep the cake from drying out.

If you're planning to send your cake, chill information technology for at least 1 hour subsequently assembly to make sure information technology'southward really solid and simply remove it from the fridge just before transportation. Consider putting it in a box or cake keeper to protect it. If it's a larger block, you lot may also consider inserting dowels into the cake to concur it in identify (I only do this for stacked cakes or cakes larger than 10 inches).

Bask

And that'due south information technology! You've successfully built a layer cake! I hope you've found this tutorial helpful. If you lot have any tips of your own, please feel costless to share them in the comments!

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This post was originally published February 2011. Photos and content have been updated.