There are so many different ways to bake a cake, but if you are new to the idea of making and decorating your own cake from scratch, then it can definitely seem a little intimidating. However, there are many different things that you can do in order to make the job easier on you. If you have always wanted to decorate your own cake, but are not sure how to get started, the best way is perhaps by learning to bake a good solid cake. Once you have mastered the art of baking a cake, you will then be ready for the next step of decorating it.

How to Get Started in Baking the Perfect Cake

Here are some tips for baking the perfect cake for decorating. First, always make sure that you brush the sides and the bottoms of your cake pans with a mixture that is equal parts flour, shortening and vegetable oil. Did you know that well-used pans that are dark tend to bake faster than newer, light-colored pans? It's true, so depending on your needs, choose accordingly.

Tips and Tricks Used by Experienced Bakers

Experienced chefs and pastry artists know a few tricks for making sure that the cakes always bake evenly and smooth. Most experienced bakers tend to wrap each of their pans with an insulating strip. The insulated strip is usually moistened and then held with a pin in order to ensure even baking on all sided. You can buy these insulating cake strips as well as the pins at cake decorating supply stores or kitchen warehouses.

Tips for Removing Baked Cakes from their Pans

One of the hardest parts of baking cakes is getting them out of the pan. This is the moment when things can go terribly wrong, or the moment of relief as the cake easily slides out of the pan. Here are some tips to make your situation more like the latter. First, begin to tap the pan lightly on the countertop after you have removed it from the oven. This is done in order to release air pockets that form during the baking process. You will want to run a thin knife around the edges of the pan. This can help release the cake from its pan. Removing the cake from its pan too early can result in breakage, and waiting too long to remove it can result in the cake sticking to the pan. Clearly, it is a delicate balance and it takes experience to determine how long you should wait according to the cake.

More Post-Baking Tips to Ensure the Perfect Foundation

Once your cake is done baking, there are many things you can do to ensure that you have a nice foundation to work with. First, you should allow your cake to cool for at least 15 minutes, but waiting longer is even better. Once the cake is cooled, you will want to level each layer with your cake leveler. Once you have removed the cake from its pan, you will want to allow the bottom layer to rest on a cardboard round that is at least one or two inches larger than the cake layer you are working with.

How to Torte Your Cake

Once you have successfully removed the cake from the pan, you may choose to torte it. Torting a cake simply refers to the act of slicing it into several layers. In most cases, you will want to slice each layer of the cake in half with a cake leveler or a knife. You will want to score the cake evenly all around.