HOW I BAKE A CAKE!!!!!

 

I preheat the oven at 325 degrees.  I bake all my cakes at 325 degrees.

 

I line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.  I do not grease and/or flour the sides of the pan.

 

After filling the pan with cake batter, I tap the pan on the counter or floor several times until no air bubbles appear.

 

When the cake is done, I remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes.  Then I run a spatula around the sides of the cake and shake lightly to loosen from the pan.  I then put in the freezer overnight.  Next morning, before going to work, I remove from freezer, put in a plastic bag and place in refrigerator to thaw during the day.  When I come home in the evening, I remove from refrigerator, make the icing and crumb coat.  If possible, I like to let the cake set overnight after I crumb coat to allow it to settle.  I would then ice and decorate the next day.  Once the cake has been crumb coated, it can set out and will not dry out.  The crumb coat seals the cake and keeps it from drying out.  I have had a cake set out iced and decorated for 5 days and it was moist and fresh tasting when I served it.

 

If I do not put the cake in the freezer overnight, I will crumb coat and leave overnight,  then ice and decorate the next day.

 

When doing a wedding cake, I usually bake on Tuesday evening and put in freezer, crumb coat on Wednesday evening, finish icing on Thursday evening and complete the decorating on Friday evening.  If I am doing a large cake for 200, I try to take at least Friday off at work if possible.  However, the last cake I did for 230 servings was completed during  the evenings after work.

 

I always make my gumpaste flowers, fondant lace pieces, pearls and bows several days ahead.  Therefore, once the cakes are iced and set, all I have to do is place the arrangements on top of each tier and complete the sides of the tiers.  I either tape the sprays together or  place  the arrangements in a styrofoam oasis.  This enables you to place it on the cake easily and then remove it easily at the reception.