How To Frost A Naked Cake Or Semi-Naked Cake For Beginners
This easy tutorial on how to frost a naked cake or semi-naked cake for beginners is super simple to follow - making even the most cake decorating challenged person able to master it! This gorgeous rustic and chic style features either no frosting on the sides or minimal frosting with the cake layers and fillings peeking through. Please refer to the short video below or the full-length YouTube video for a visual aid if needed.
Allow the cake layers to come to room temperature. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least an hour. *Note- I recommend preparing a 3-layer cake over a 2-layer cake, just because I think it shows off the beautiful layers better!
Use a serrated knife to level off the tops of the cakes to make them level. Then, add a small amount of frosting to the middle of the cake plate, turntable, or cake stand and place the cake on top. While the frosting is optional, it helps prevent the cake from moving around while frosting. If using a turntable, place the cake layer on a cake circle for easy transfer to the cake plate. If decorating directly on a cake plate or stand, slide 4 pieces of parchment paper underneath the edges of the cake for easy cleanup.
Pipe frosting all the way around the top edge of the cake (optional), then use a straight spatula or an off-set spatula to add frosting (around 1 to 1 ½ cups) to the top of the cake. Evenly spread the frosting over the top, filling in the circle you just piped.
Add additional cake layers upside down for a more level cake, frosting between each layer as we did in the previous step, including the top layer. Gently but firmly press each cake layer into the frosting and ensure each layer is level. The top and bottom layers should be completely parallel to make straight sides.
For a naked cake: Decorate the top as desired and remove parchment paper or transfer to cake stand. Transfer cake to the fridge for at least an hour or two to allow frosting to set. After it's set, you can place the cake out at room temperature for the party or gathering and serve.
For a semi-naked cake: Use your spatula to add frosting to the sides of the cake, starting at the bottom and working towards the top. No need to be perfect, and you can add as much or as little as you prefer. Use a bench scraper to smooth out the sides of the cake until they are smooth and you have some areas of cake peeking through. Don't push too hard or you may puncture the cake. If there are areas that need more buttercream, simply add more with the spatula then smooth out with the bench scraper until you get the look you are going for. The more perpendicular you hold the bench scraper the more frosting you will scrape off. The closer you hold the bench scraper to the cake the less frosting you will scrape off and you'll get more of a smoothing effect. To smooth out the top edges:Holding your spatula or bench scraper parallel, smooth the excess frosting on the top edge of the cake inward toward the center. Try to make a level, sharp edge. Then smooth out the top of the cake so there's not a dome from pushing the excess frosting inward. Decorate the top as desired and remove parchment paper or transfer it to a cake stand. Transfer cake to the fridge for at least an hour or two to allow frosting to set. After it's set, you can place the cake out at room temperature for the party or gathering and serve.
Video
Notes
Watch the full tutorial on YouTube to see how easy frosting a cake can be! Watch the full video here: Cake Frosting TutorialDecorating Ideas
Fresh berries
Flowers (thoroughly washed and dried!)
Herbs
Sprinkles
Keto chocolate, candies, cookies, etc...
Chocolate Ganache (the linked recipe is fairly thick, I recommend thinning it out with additional non-dairy milk or cream to get long, beautiful drips!)
I prefer to pipe a decorative edge around the top and fill the center with berries and fresh flowers, then sprinkle the whole thing with some powdered sweetener.How To Make A Piping Bag From A Plastic BagIf you don’t have a fancy pastry/piping bag, it’s super simple to make one with a Ziplock or plastic bag! Here are the easy steps:
Cut a very small piece off of the bottom corner of a large plastic baggie then place the piping tip into the cut corner.
Place the baggie into a cup with the piping tip down.
Fold the excess baggie over the outside edge of the cup.
Add frosting.
Remove the baggie from the cup and push the frosting towards the tip, removing any air.
While holding the baggie straight up and down, pipe on the frosting. Easy-peasy!