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~ Cake Baking Tip Guide ~
Expert cake baking tip guide makes
your cake creation a sweet success!
Successful cake decorating is all
about preparation. Proper baking and preparation ensure a fantastic finish to every party cake.
In this article, I'll share some expert tips for
basic cake preparation to get your cake creation off to a fabulous start!
Sweet secrets revealed!
Preparing a Cake Board -
Many specially themed
cakes are too large to fit on a plate, so a cake board may be used. Cut a piece
of stiff cardboard to the desired size. Cover with foil, or heavy coated
wrapping paper.
I
often use colored tissue paper, covered with colored cellophane of the type used to
wrap gift baskets. This gives the desired background color, with a surface which
is easy to wipe clean. It also makes a great background to enhance the
presentation and photographing of your final cake masterpiece.
Preparing Cake Pans -
Use
metal pans with a nonstick finish. Grease and flour pans before
adding cake batter. Spread a thin layer of vegetable shortening on the bottom
and sides of the pan. This works better than butter or margarine as the cake
releases more easily from the pan. Sprinkle a little flour in each pan, and tilt
to coat evenly. Shake out excess.
~ Cake Baking Tip Guide ~
Testing for Doneness -
Follow baking instructions for time and temperature specified in the recipe. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake should have pulled away from the sides of the pan and the top will spring back when touched lightly in the center.Removing Cake from Pan -
Let cake cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Invert wire cooling rack~ Cake Baking Tip Guide ~
Preparing Cake for Frosting -
Slip each cake layer into a gallon-size freezer bag and place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. An even easier method is to place each layer on its own plate and cover with plastic wrap before freezing. I poke a toothpick or two into the top of each layer to keep the plastic wrap from sticking to the cake's surface.Light freezing firms up the cake just right and allows you to easily brush any crumbs from the surface prior to frosting. I believe this is the most important cake baking tip.
Best Base Frosting Recipe -
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Combine powdered sugar, butter, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat with electric mixer until smooth. Add milk 1 tsp. at a time to desired consistency. Frosting should be fairly thin. This is a great base frosting. Use if as a first coating layer to seal in any crumbs and give a nice smooth surface to the cake.
The thin texture of the base frosting allows easier coverage without pulling bits of cake and crumbs away from the cake. This is essential particularly if you are frosting white over chocolate cake. When base coat is done, frost over with your desired finish frosting.
Cutting and Trimming -
You can create many different cake designs by cutting your cake layers into various shapes. Measure and mark your cutting line with toothpicks or wooden or metal skewers. Use a sharp knife and brush cake lightly with a soft pastry brush to remove crumbs prior to frosting.Trim the rounded tops off cake
layers to form a flat surface. Use a long serrated knife to trim with a gentle
sawing motion. You may also wish to trim the edges of rectangular cakes to give
a more professional look.
~ Cake Baking Tip Guide ~
Frosting Tools -
Use various sizes of flexible metal spatulas
for frosting. Large ones are used to smooth wide flat
areas while a narrow tipped spatula is great for getting into small areas.
Toothpicks or wooden or
metal skewers can be used to mark cutting lines
on your cake.
A pastry bag with several tips is necessary to pipe
on decorations. I have a reusable pastry bag that is easy to rinse clean. In a
pinch, you can even use a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny hole snipped from one corner.
Now that
you have all these important basics
in place, you and your cake are primed and ready for frosting and decorating.
Family Fun Cakefinder
~ Cake Baking Tip Guide ~
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