How to Make a Layered Cake

Making a layered cake is fun, but it can also be extremely frustrating. Believe me, I have had my fair share of cracked and crumbled cake disasters. However, with lots of practice, and helpful tips from other bakers and bloggers, I am slowly perfecting my layer cakes. 

For my tutorial I used Sweetened with Honey's Carrot Cake Recipe {pinned here} and added a vanilla pudding cake filling. 

Step 1: Prepare your cake pans to make sure the cake slides out nicely after baking by using wax paper. Using the bottom of your cake pan as a stencil, trace and cut out wax paper to place in the bottom of your pan. Grease the bottom of the pan, add the wax paper, then grease the entire thing. Sprinkle the pan with four until the pan is completely covered. 

Step 2: Make the cake batter and pour an equal amount of batter in each pan so that each layer is the same height. 

Step 3: Bake your cake with perfectly level layers! There is no way to prevent your cake from slightly raising in the middle, however I learned {from Annalise} that you can reduce the heat from 350 degrees F to 300 degrees F and increase the baking time for a more even layer. The lower temperatures bake the cake slower, which prevents it from doming. A good rule of thumb when you reduce the temperature is to bake it for one and a half times as long as the recipe originally suggests. So if the recipe says 60 minutes at 350 degrees, it will take approximately 90 minutes at 300 degrees. But keep an eye on it! Check it periodically after the original suggested time to be sure you don’t over bake it.

Step 4: Let your cakes sit in their pans for at least 10 minutes. To remove your cake, first run a knife around the edge and turn them out onto a wire rack {wax paper side down on the wire}. Cool on the racks completely.

Step 5: Chill the layers in the fridge overnight in plastic wrap if you have the time. If not, chill for at least a few hours. 

 

Note: if your layers are still uneven, you can use a cake leveler to cut the tops.

Step 6: Unwrap the layers and prepare your icing and pudding {optional}. Your icing should be at a consistency where if you drop your spatula straight into the bowl, it should slightly bend one direction, not stick straight up. 

Note: you can use any flavor pudding mix, but make sure you do not purchase the instant mix. Make the pudding according to the packaged directions, using only half the milk that it calls for.

Step 7: Place your bottom cake layer on a cardboard round {so it is easy to transport to a cake stand later} and pipe along the rim of the cake to keep the pudding in place. 

Step 8: Spread on the pudding filling. Although icing is the most common {and easiest} filling, pudding is a great secret for making your cake a little less sweet. 

Step 9: Add your top layer, or repeat steps 7-8 until for each additional layer.

Step 10: Once all of your layers are stacked, it is time to frost the cake! Your first layer should be a crumb coat, a thin layer of icing that seals in any loose crumbs. Using an angled spatula, spread the icing over the top first, then the sides. Place cake in fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes to harden the icing, allowing for a smoother second coat. 

 

Note: To keep your icing crumb-free, always wipe crumbs off your spatula before dipping it back into the bowl.

Another Note: Using a cake turn table will make the icing process much easier! You can get a cake turn table at Walmart or Michaels for about $10 {I promise it's worth it!}

Step 11: Spread on the second coat of icing, and move cake to plate or stand. 

Step 12: Add the finishing touches using the back of a spoon while spinning the cake.

Step 13: Sprinkle cinnamon on top!

Enjoy your cake with family and friends!

The carrot cake I made for Easter 2012

I used a bunting printable {pinned here} as my cake topper