10 Secret Frostings Tips from my Grandma

Frosting a just-baked, still-warm cake layer is a recipe for disaster! Let the cakes cool in their pan for 20 to 30 minutes, then unmold them onto a wire rack and let them cool to room temperature, about 2 to 3 hours depending on the ambient temperature of your kitchen. I like to chill the cake for an hour in the fridge, which helps firm up the cake crumb as well, but this isn’t absolutely necessary. It’s just helpful and makes frosting a little bit easier.

If the cake layers developed a domed top during baking, take the time to level the layers by slicing the top dome off the cake. Again, slicing off a domed cake layer is easier to do if the cake has been chilled in the fridge, but it’s not always necessary. Save the extra cake scraps as a treat for yourself or repurpose it for another use.

If you made your frosting ahead of time and stored it in the fridge or freezer, make sure it’s at room temperature as well. Cold frosting is difficult to work with and doesn’t spread easily. Once the frosting is brought to room temperature, use a mixer on the frosting for 20 to 30 seconds to make sure the temperature and consistency of the frosting is even and to fluff it up again. Stored frosting in the refrigerator or freezer is denser than recently made frosting.

For prettier cake frosting, first apply a thin coat of icing to the cake to trap the crumbs. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to chill and then frost with a second layer.

Fondant is the smooth frosting coating used on many wedding cakes. It looks pretty, but consists of gelatin, glycerin, and sugar, so it isn’t as tasty as regular frosting.

Can’t decide between 2 tempting frosting flavors? On a layer cake, use both-spread one frosting between the 2 layers and the other on the sides and top.

Shredded coconut is another alternative, or addition, to frosting. To make colored coconut, place in a clean jar, add a few drops of food coloring, cap and shake until blended.

No time to frost the cake? Sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a pretty look and sweet taste.

Look for beautiful edible flowers to top your cakes and desserts. A sprinkling of edible glitter makes them even more beautiful.

Easily make maple syrup frosting for autumn cakes. Simply combine maple syrup with powdered sugar until it reaches a frosting consistency.