How to Use Toothpicks to Keep the Cake From Slipping
Don't cry over slipped cake. You can stop the problem of cake layers slipping when icing them. The solution: toothpicks. Layered cakes require each successive tier of the cake to balance perfectly atop the one below, and the more layers in a cake, the more precarious the situation, especially when trying to apply icing. Frosting the cake becomes a strange dance to keep the cake layers together and upright. When preparing the cake, make time for this remedy to ensure that your cake stays intact while frosting it. Once your icing hardens, it will hold the cake layers together and you no longer need the toothpicks. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Spread a small amount of icing directly on the cake plate to act as a glue to hold the bottom layer down.
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2
Set the bottom cake layer atop the iced portion of the cake plate.
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3
Cover the top of the bottom layer of the cake with icing using the spatula.
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4
Place the second layer on top of the bottom one.
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5
Insert toothpicks through the top layer into the bottom layer. Use skewers instead of toothpicks for layers thicker than 1 1/2 inches.
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6
Frost around the side of the two layers, turning the cake plate as you hold the spatula to smooth the icing.
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7
Let the cake icing set for one hour to adhere the layers together.
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8
Remove the toothpicks or skewer from the top layer of the cake and spread icing on the top of the cake.
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9
Place four toothpicks angled toward the outside edge into the top layer of the iced cake so the toothpicks stand at least 1 inch above the icing.
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10
Lightly drape plastic wrap over the toothpicks to keep it from sticking to the icing on top of the cake and gently wrap it under the cake plate to hold it in place.
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