Making a Layer Cake? You Need This Tip 🍰

One of the biggest hurdles to a stunning layer cake is... flat layers! Here's how to get them.

Delectable dessert ideas delivered right to your inbox!  View this email in your browser LAYER CAKE MUST HAVE: FLAT LAYERS! When you really want to make a stunning layer cake for a special occasion there is one thing you really need: Flat cake layers! Flat layers are a necessity for a beautifully decorated cake for three big reasons: You want the layers to stack nicely. Nobody has time for balancing wonky cake layers! Flat layers are key for evenly distributed frosting between the layers. It's so sad when the center of a cake has almost no frosting between the layers! Aesthetics - especially if it's a "naked" cake (you know, where the sides aren't frosted or barely frosted). You want the layers to look even and level! The trouble is, and if you've made a few cakes you probably already know this, almost every cake bakes up with a bit of a dome top. So what's a baker to do? That's what I'm going to help you with this week. I've got three big tips to help you get those nice even cake layers that will make your decorating process so much easier. Once you've mastered flat layers, I've also got four stunning cakes that show off those beautiful layers you'll be so proud of!   TIPS TO GET FLAT CAKE LAYERS Once you know that cakes tend to naturally dome up during the baking process, you can stop stressing about what you're doing wrong and instead, focus on solutions right away. You can always level your cakes with a knife or a cake leveler but this is, in my opinion, a pain in the bum. It's messy, crumbs get everywhere and it wastes perfectly delicious cake (yes, you can eat the leftovers but still...!). So, here are three less messy and aggravating tips to help you out instead. 1. WEIGH YOUR CAKE PANS This is important to make sure you get even height distribution between your layers. Simply pop the filled pans on a scale to make sure they all weigh the same and, if not, even them out. 2. USE CAKE STRIPS Cake strips are my go to method. You can buy them or make your own (see this post for tips on making your own). Cake strips are soaked and then squeezed of excess water before use. Once prepped, they're wrapped around your pans to insulate the outside of the pan. Keeping the pan cooler during baking allows the cake to bake more evenly, as you can see in the photo above. 3. THE TEA TOWEL TRICK! Cake strips may not completely eliminate doming. If you still have some slight doming, use a clean tea towel to press gently down on the cake the minute it comes out of the oven. **BE CAREFUL**  the pans will be very hot and steam will be released as you press down. A light touch is needed or your cake will cave in and that's not good either! LEARN MORE ABOUT GETTING FLAT LAYERS CAKES THAT SHOW OFF YOUR FLAT LAYERS! Now you know how to get those nice, flat layers, why not make a cake that shows them off? Here are four of my favourite cakes that let those gorgeous layers shine through! GET THE RECIPES: Cookie Dough Cake Boston Cream Pie Cake Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake Reese's Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake THE BIG BOOK BUNDLE Get baking with my Big Ebook Bundle! With over 80 thoroughly tested, beautifully photographed recipes in three gorgeous books plus my cake baking tips as a bonus, you'll have all the recipe inspiration and baking tips you could need! GET THE BUNDLE Show me your layers! If these tips help you out, I'd love to see your flat cakes! Share your results on social media and be sure to tag me (@livforcake). I'd love to see what you're baking in your kitchen!  - Olivia Copyright © 2022 Liv for Cake, All rights reserved. Thank you for subscribing to Liv for Cake! Our mailing address is: Liv for Cake PO BOX 99900 FQ 935 683 STN MAIN Port Coquitlam, Bc V3C 0C8 Canada Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.