How to Bake & Frost a Cake

Get step-by-step instructions for making a luscious layer cake with rich and creamy frosting.

view all thumbnails

Classic Cake

Separate the Eggs

Butter the Pans

Begin Mixing the Batter

Add the Eggs

Incorporate Remaining Ingredients

Pour Batter into Pans

Begin Cooling

Finish Cooling

Assemble the Layers

Add the Crumb Coat

Finish Frosting the Cake

Serve the Cake

Try it with Chocolate

shop bhg

Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Holiday Wreath Bundt Cake Pan $46.19 Kohls

Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Bundt Cake?Pan and Keeper Set $26.99 Kohls

Kitchenaid KitchenAid 9-in. Square Cake Pan $9.99 Kohls

Crate & Barrel Pro Line Nonstick Square Cake Pan $14.95 Crate & Barrel

Kitchenaid KitchenAid 9-in. Round Cake Pan $9.99 Kohls

Nordic Ware Nordic Ware Pretty Presents Duet Cake Pan $43.39 Kohls

Nordic Ware Nordic Ware 2-pc. Bundt Cake Pan Set $59.99 Kohls

Kitchenaid KitchenAid 9-in. Cake Pan $15.99 Kohls

shop all bhg

Related Links

Elegant and Easy Cakes

These 27 luscious cakes taste as good as they look...

Creative Birthday Cakes for Kids

The birthday cake is a great place to start for a ...

Our Best Chocolate Cake Recipes

It's hard to beat chocolate cake. Whether you're b...

Types of Frosting

Although any kind of frosting tastes sweet on the ...

Your Comment:

Classic Cake

Nothing marks a special day quite like a cake. On the following slides, we'll show you how to make a three-layer cake that's sure to make any celebration delightfully sweet.

Classic Vanilla Cake

Makes: 16 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Bake: 30 mins to 35 mins 350°F

Stand: 30 mins

See Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting recipe

Separate the Eggs

First, separate the eggs using an egg separator or by passing the egg back and forth between the egg shell halves. Allow the egg whites to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes (reserve yolks for another use).

Butter the Pans

Meanwhile, butter three 8 X 1 1/2-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper by placing the bottom of the pan over the parchment paper and tracing it with a pencil. Cut out the rounds and fit into the pans.

Begin Mixing the Batter

In a medium bowl stir together the dry ingredients -- flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high for 30 second. Add the sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.

Add the Eggs

Add egg whites all at once. Beat on medium-high speed for three minutes to thoroughly incorporate the eggs into the butter mixture.

Incorporate Remaining Ingredients

Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low after each addition just until combined and scraping down the bowl as needed.

Pour Batter into Pans

Divide the batter among the prepared pans. If you do not have three pans, refrigerate remaining batter until you're ready to use it. With an offset spatula spread batter even in the pans. Bake cake as directed.

Begin Cooling

When the cake comes out of the oven, let it cool slightly in the pan. Run a spatula around the cake edges to loosen the sides. Turn it out onto a cooling rack.

Finish Cooling

Peel the parchment paper from the bottom and allow it to cool completely. Cooling makes the cake easier to frost because it has a chance to set up and won't crumble as you frost it. A cool cake also won't melt the frosting.

Assemble the Layers

To avoid crumbs in your frosting, brush cake layers with a pastry brush before assembling. Spread about half a cup of frosting over the first layer, then carefully top with the next layer. Repeat until cake is assembled.

Add the Crumb Coat

Next, add a "crumb coat" by spreading a very thin layer of frosting over the sides and top of the cake. Your technique doesn't have to be perfect -- this step is to keep cake crumbs out of the frosting. Let stand for 30 minutes to set up before adding the final layer of frosting.

Finish Frosting the Cake

Using an offset spatula or butter knife, generously spread remaining frosting over the top and down the sides of the cake, swirling as you go. Once the cake is frosted, go back and add swirls as desired.

Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting

Yield: about 4-1/2 cups

Prep: 10 mins

Serve the Cake

Once the cake is frosted, top with candles or decorate as desired. Serve the cake within two hours or refrigerate to store.

Classic Vanilla Cake

Makes: 16 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Bake: 30 mins to 35 mins 350°F

Stand: 30 mins

See Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting recipe

Try it with Chocolate

Use the cake making skills you just learned to make our best-ever chocolate cake recipe too. Top it with our Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting or Vanilla Sour Cream Frosting.

Double Chocolate Cake

Makes: 16 servings

Prep: 30 mins

Stand: 30 mins

Bake: 30 mins to 35 mins 350°F

How to Bake & Frost a Cake

Top Brands

Top Searches