Hi Bold Bakers! I am often asked how to do a crumb coat and, more importantly, why someone would need to take that extra step! I’ll be the first to admit that cake baking and cake decorating are two very different animals. Baking, frosting, and decorating a beautiful cake involves a whole set of skills that are completely different than any other baking techniques. Decorating a cake takes practice, technique, and confidence! (I can’t stress that last tip enough). That said, there are tricks of the trade that even pros swear by. One of my go-to tricks for decorating both rustic and professional-looking cakes is to always start with a Crumb Coat (aka crumb layer).
What is a Crumb Coat?
When you frost a cake with just one thick layer of frosting, tiny stray crumbs usually get caught in the frosting and spoil the finish. A crumb layer prevents that from happening by picking up any loose bits of cake and evening out the surface. Technically, it is the first coat of frosting. This crumb layer will allow you to build up to the smooth finish you see in all of your favorite bakeries.
How to Do a Crumb Coat
Wait until your cake is cold before applying it. It’s actually better to work on a cake that is a day old, as it is much easier to decorate and is still fresh!
Tips and Tricks on How to Do a Crumb Coat
Best to use day-old cakes as they are easier to frost A cake that has been refrigerated also is easier to work with Less is more: you don’t need a huge amount of frosting to apply the crumb layer. Remember this is just the first coat Use a large palette knife which will make it easier to decorate in one fell swoop Catch as many crumbs as you can in the crumb coat Don’t worry about how it looks after the crumb coat is finished Chill the crumb coat for a minimum of 1 hour but up to 24 hours
Want some easy cake decorating tips for bakers of all levels? Check out 4 Easy Ways to Decorate a Cake and How to use Piping Nozzles. And, don’t forget to follow Bigger Bolder Baking on Pinterest! Δ Δ
Meet Gemma
Meet Gemma
Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.
