cake skills Posts

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want a sweet afternoon treat, it's always time for cake. And we've got plenty of blog posts to help you get there, from a breakdown of mixing methods to tips on getting your Bundt unstuck.  

Cakes and cupcakes finished with berry mirror glaze

How to make our vibrant, fruit-forward mirror glazes

The recipe you need to make your most beautiful cake yet.

Jun 20, 2022
Basket weave cake decorated with a rainbow of flowers

How to pipe and decorate a celebratory basket-weave cake

One piping technique makes a stunning cake for everything from a birthday party to Pride brunch.

Jun 14, 2022
A baker presenting a birthday cake topped with modeling chocolate letters and flowers

Modeling chocolate 101: How to make and use it, and why it's easier than it seems

One of the simplest, most delicious ways to decorate cake.

Jun 2, 2022
Chocolate Pound Cake

Why we like water for chocolate (cake)

Making your cakes with water instead of milk results in stronger, purer chocolate flavor.

May 12, 2022
Spiced Carrot Snacking Cake

Wait, should I be aging my cakes?

Delaying that slice can be worth the wait.

Apr 25, 2022
Slice of Golden Vanilla Cake, with full cake in background

What is reverse creaming, and why does it make great cake?

This unexpected technique is the key to a velvety crumb, tender texture, and less doming.

Mar 9, 2022
Egg cracked into a clear bowl

Do eggs used in baking really need to be at room temperature?

If the recipe says so, yes. And here’s why.

Jan 25, 2022
Yule Log

My quest to make a perfect Bûche de Noël

Here’s what I learned about making roll cakes without cracking.

Dec 10, 2021
Hands in bowl of flour

A beginner’s guide to gluten

A little bread-ucation goes a long way.

Aug 18, 2021
Electric beater mixing cake batter

A pastry chef’s trick for preventing curdled cake batter

Banish broken batters forever.

Aug 11, 2021
A chocolate cake made from stacked crepes and filled with pastry cream, topped with berries

How to make a sky-high cake without the oven

Crêpe cake to the rescue.

Jul 14, 2021
Checkerboard cake

A checkerboard cake is simpler than you think

Learn how to make this sweet showstopper.

Jun 21, 2021
Naked cake decorated with flowers

How to decorate a naked cake

When it comes to frosting, less can be more.

Jun 3, 2021
Vanilla cupcakes topped with chocolate frosting and filled with pastry cream

How to make filled cupcakes

Add more flavor and delight to a basic treat.

May 27, 2021
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting

A salute to sourdough cake

The sweetest way to use discard starter

May 10, 2021
A sheet cake topped with chocolate frosting and edible flowers

How to use edible flowers for cakes and other bakes

5 stunning ideas to brighten up your baking

Apr 29, 2021
Hands piping designs on a sheet cake

How to use a pastry bag

The secret to beautiful cakes

Apr 8, 2021
Cake next to bowl of frosting

A breakdown of (almost) every frosting

Your guide to frostings, from buttercream to cream cheese

Apr 5, 2021
A chocolate mousse cake with raspberries being sliced

Step up your cake game

8 ways to take your cakes to the next level

Mar 31, 2021
Robin's egg cake

How to make a robin egg cake for Easter

Celebrate that spring has (finally) sprung

Mar 24, 2021
Decorating a cake with painting technique

Painting cake with buttercream

An art-inspired cake decorating technique

Dec 14, 2020
A flourless chocolate cake stenciled with confectioners' sugar, cranberries, and twinkling lights

Make a stunning holiday dessert

Flourless Chocolate Cake gets all dressed up

Dec 11, 2020
Bag of rye flour and cookies

How to substitute rye for all-purpose flour

Try rye in your favorite recipes

Oct 5, 2020
Stand mixer with batter trailing from whisk

What does "ribbon stage" mean?

Whipping up light and fluffy cakes

Sep 16, 2020