When it comes to celebrating a special occasion, the first thing to arrange is a cake. This sweet treat is the center of attraction and the theme of the occasion. The theme, design, shape, and flavor of the cake design the mood of the party. However, to taste the result of the art of baking, it’s important to take care of the cake from oven to table. There is some know-how to ensure it remains as delicious and beautiful as intended. If at any stage the baking or handling of the cake goes left, the celebration mood can turn into a moment of disgust. Whether you’re a home baker or a professional, here are essential tips for baking, storing, transporting, and handling cakes to keep them in perfect condition.
Cake Care Tips While Baking
The expectations from the cake start right when it starts baking. By using high-quality ingredients, properly mixed batter, and giving it the rest it demands, you can bake a mouth-watering cake effortlessly. Of course, there’s a little more to take care of.
- Always allow your dry cake to rest and come to room temperature before applying frosting. This helps prevent melting, becoming too dense, or falling apart.
- While frosting, always apply a thin layer first to seal in crumbs. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes and then go with the final frosting layer.
- To stabilize the cake before decoration, refrigerate it for approximately 30 minutes.
- Use a table-turner and a sharp knife to make the frosting clean and appealing.
Storing Your Cake To Keep It Fresh
Now that you have baked your cake, it is sensitive and fragile. To deal with it, freeze it up to get the best frosting flavor.
- If it is a dry cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Keep it at room temperature or refrigerate for later consumption.
- If the cake is frosted, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature and refrigerate for longer freshness.
Packaging
If you are not consuming the cake right away and want to pack it for later, consider doing everything carefully and cautiously. A little negligence at this step can ruin your fork experience!
- Use an appropriately sized cake box. It should be taller than the cake so the frosting is not compromised. Also, ensure that it is non-slippery to prevent cake sliding.
- For tiered cakes, pack the cakes in different boxes and assemble them at the venue.
- While packing the cake for transportation, consider taking some extra frosting and tools just in case.
Safe And Secure Transporting
Traveling with a cake is like traveling with a baby. You have to take care of minimal detail to ensure its safety and proper homecoming! Well, here is something more to it.
- Refrigerate the cake for a few hours before you begin the journey with your cake to firm up its frosting and structure.
- If possible, transport your cake in a four-wheeler so it remains safe and cool.
- While traveling, place the cake on a flat surface to avoid any curves.
- Also, make sure that you drive gently. Be soft on curves, road breakers, or any path holes to minimize cake movement.
- Avoid any heat contact. Keep the AC on all the time. This helps prevent the frosting from melting or becoming too soft.
- Ensure that your route is as short as possible as long as you have a cake with you. Besides, try to avoid rush hours as well.
Handling The Cake With Care
Once you’ve reached the destination, all you need is to watch your steps with a little care and follow the points below.
- Use your both hands to lift the cake box from the bottom. Do not hold the box from handles or edges.
- To move the cake, use a lifter or flat spatula. Moreover, you can also pull out the cake tray cautiously.
- Make sure the cake is not exposed to direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Now is the time to assemble those cake tiers. Additionally, use your extra tools and frosting for quick touch-ups if necessary.
Cake Serving
AHH! The best part. You can straight dive into the richness of the flavorful cake or serve it with elegance to maintain its appearance and flavor. For the latter, look out for the things below.
- For a smooth serving, dip your knife in hot water and wipe dry before blowing out the candles and cutting the cake.
- If you have refrigerated the cake before serving, let it rest for some time at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
- Afterward, store the leftover cake in an airtight container that is slightly larger than the cake.
By ensuring that you follow these few simple cake care steps, you can make sure that your cakes are baked and consumed to perfection. After all, no one likes a spoiled cake to compromise with the celebration & mood. Happy Baking, happy caking!
