Stacking and Trimming Cake Layers

Hiding underneath those perfect buttercream and fondant coatings lies beautiful layers of cakes, buttercream, and silky fillings. However, in order to achieve a smooth cake with a level top and straight sides, you must first start with a properly stacked and trimmed cake. Head into the kitchen with cake designer Rachael Teufel as she teaches you how to stack, fill, and trim your cake layers.

Starting with three layers of level cake and a few simple tools, Rachael utilizes her cake decorating turntable to achieve a perfectly level and even cake, ready for any crumb coat. Included are tips on how to keep the layers from sliding on the turntable; how to keep mousse, jam and curd fillings in place; proper knife placement; and how to double check that your sides are straight. Making the proper adjustments in the beginning will not only save you time but help you avoid major corrections later in the design process. For the next steps in the cake assembly process, check out Rachael’s video on crumb coating.