How to Smooth Cake Frosting With Paper Towel? 10 Easy Steps!

To smooth cake frosting with a paper towel, follow these simple steps: apply a layer of frosting on the cake, let it crust, gently press a paper towel on the frosting, and carefully lift the paper towel to reveal a smooth surface.

Smoothing cake frosting with a paper towel is an effective and budget-friendly technique to achieve a professional-looking finish on your cake.

The paper towel method works best with buttercream or crusting frosting, as they form a slight crust on the surface when exposed to air.

This technique can be used on both round and square cakes, and with various paper towel textures to create different designs.

Smoothing cake frosting with a paper towel is a great way to get that professional, smooth finish without needing any special tools.

By allowing your frosting to crust and using a gentle touch with the paper towel, you can create a beautiful and polished surface on your cake.

Additionally, experimenting with different paper towel textures can add an extra element of creativity to your cake design.

10 Steps for Smoothing Cake Frosting With Paper Towel

Understanding The Benefits Of Using Paper Towel For Smoothing Cake Frosting

Why Is Paper Towel The Best Tool For Smoothing Cake Frosting?

Paper towel is known for its wide range of uses and qualities, and one of its unexpected uses is in cake decorating.

Here are some key reasons why paper towel is the best tool for smoothing cake frosting:

• Absorbency: Paper towel is highly absorbent, making it effective in removing excess frosting for a smooth finish.
• Softness: The soft texture of paper towel ensures that it does not damage your cake’s delicate surface.
• Flexibility: Paper towel is easy to manipulate and allows you to reach difficult areas around the cake.

How Does Paper Towel Help You To Achieve Smooth Cake Frosting?

Using paper towel for smoothing cake frosting can make the process simpler and stress-free.

Here are some ways that paper towel helps you achieve smooth cake frosting:

• Smoothes rough surfaces: Paper towel can help smooth out rough surfaces caused by uneven icing or air bubbles.
• Removes excess frosting: Paper towel removes excess frosting from the cake’s surface, ensuring a neat finish.
• Easy to use: Paper towel is an effortless and affordable tool that helps to achieve a professional finish for your cake.

Tips For Choosing The Right Paper Towel

Choosing the right paper towel is essential to ensure that you achieve a smooth frosting finish.

Here are some tips for choosing the right paper towel:

• Texture matters: Choose a paper towel with a soft and absorbent texture to ensure a flawless finish.
• Avoid printed paper towel: Using printed paper towel may leave unwanted markings on the cake’s surface.
• Choose durable and high-quality paper towel: Opt for durable brands that don’t tear or disintegrate easily.

Using paper towel to smooth cake frosting can create a professional-looking cake with minimal effort. Try out this helpful hack and get ready to impress your guests with a smooth and flawless finish.

Step-By-Step Guide To Smoothing Cake Frosting With Paper Towel

Preparing Your Cake For Frosting

Before you start to frost your cake, you need to prepare it properly to get the best results.

Here’s how:

• Start by placing your cake on a rotating cake stand.
• Level the cake by using a serrated knife to cut off the domed top.
• Brush off any loose crumbs with a pastry brush.
• Apply a thin layer of frosting, known as the crumb coat, to the cake and refrigerate for 15 min.

Applying A Layer Of Frosting To The Cake

Now that you’ve got a smooth surface to work with let’s move on to frosting the cake in earnest:

• Apply a generous amount of frosting to the top of the cake using a spatula.
• Use the spatula to spread the frosting evenly across the top and then down the sides of the cake.
• Add more frosting if necessary to achieve your desired thickness.

Smoothing With A Bench Scraper

In this step, we’ll show you how to smooth the frosting with a bench scraper:

• Hold the cake stand steady with one hand and the bench scraper in the other.
• Begin at the base of the cake and hold the bench scraper at a slight angle.
• Work your way around the cake, scraping off any excess frosting and smoothing out any bumps.
• Use a paper towel to wipe off the bench scraper as you go.

How To Use Paper Towel To Achieve Perfectly Smooth Frosting

In the previous step, we got our cake pretty smooth, but it can be challenging to ensure there aren’t any bumps or rough spots left.

Here’s how you can achieve perfectly smooth frosting using paper towels:

• Fold a paper towel into a small square.
• Hold the paper towel between your index and middle fingers and apply gentle pressure to the frosting.
• Starting at the base of the cake, work your way around, smoothing and shaping the frosting with the paper towel.
• Continue this process until the frosting is as smooth as you’d like.

What To Do If You Make A Mistake

Don’t worry if you make a mistake; it happens to the best of us!

Here’s what you can do to fix any errors:

• Use a clean spatula to remove the frosting you’re not happy with.
• Smooth out the area with a paper towel, then reapply fresh frosting.
• Repeat the smoothing process with a bench scraper and paper towel.

And that’s all there is to it! With these simple tips, you can easily achieve smooth, professional-looking frosting on your cakes.

Tips And Tricks For Getting Perfectly Smooth Cake Frosting Every Time

Achieving Consistent Results With Paper Towel

When it comes to smoothing cake frosting, using a paper towel is one of the easiest and most effective methods.

Follow these steps to achieve consistently smooth results every time:

• Make sure the cake has cooled completely before frosting to avoid melting or smudging.
• Apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake and smooth it using a spatula.
• Gently press a piece of paper towel onto the frosting and smooth it out with your fingers.
• Lift the paper towel away from the frosting to reveal a smooth finish.
• Repeat the process until you achieve your desired level of smoothness.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Smoothing Cake Frosting

While smoothing cake frosting with paper towel is simple, there are some common mistakes to avoid to achieve perfect results:

• Applying too much pressure with the paper towel can cause the frosting to become thin in some areas and create unevenness.
• Using a paper towel that is too wet or too dry can also cause the frosting to become uneven.
• Pulling the paper towel away from the frosting too quickly can cause the frosting to become bumpy.
• Not smoothing out the frosting with a spatula before using a paper towel can make it difficult to achieve a smooth finish.

How To Add Texture And Designs To Your Smooth Cake Frosting

While smooth frosting is classic, you can also use paper towel to create textures and designs on top of your cake frosting.

Here are some tips:

• Dab a paper towel onto the frosting to create a textured look, such as a basket weave or a textured pattern.
• Use a damp paper towel to “wipe away” sections of the frosting, creating a design or pattern.
• Place a patterned paper towel onto the frosting and press gently to transfer the pattern onto the frosting.

How To Decorate Cakes Using Paper Towel

In addition to smoothing and adding texture to cake frosting, paper towel can also be used to decorate the cake itself.

Here are some ideas:

• Use a paper towel to stencil on designs or shapes, such as hearts or stars.
• Create a marbled effect on the frosting by using a crumpled paper towel to lightly tap the frosting surface.
• Use a well-wrung wet paper towel to create a watercolor effect, blending different colors of frosting together.

Troubleshooting Common Cake Frosting Problems

How To Smooth Cake Frosting With Paper Towel: Troubleshooting Common Cake Frosting Problems

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of decorating a cake and suddenly faced with frostings that are just not cooperating? Cake decorating can be tricky, especially when it comes to getting the perfect frosting.

But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! In this section, we will discuss some common frosting problems you may encounter during the cake decorating process and how to troubleshoot them.

How To Fix Lumpy Or Crusty Frosting

If your frosting is coming out lumpy or crusty, it can be frustrating, and no amount of smoothing with a paper towel can fix it.

Here are some tips to help you fix this issue:

• Ensure that your ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
• Sift your powdered sugar before adding it to the frosting mixture.
• Beat your mixture thoroughly, making sure all lumps are removed.
• If none of the above works, try microwaving your frosting for 5-10 seconds, then mix thoroughly until smooth.

How To Fix Air Bubbles In Your Frosting

Air bubbles can leave unsightly holes in your frosting, and nobody wants that.

Here are some tips to help you avoid and fix air bubbles in frosting:

• Mix your frosting at a low speed to minimize the amount of air added.
• After mixing, bang the bowl on the counter to remove air bubbles.
• Use a toothpick, skewer, or a small spatula to remove any remaining air bubbles.

How To Fix Uneven Frosting Layers

Getting perfectly even layers of frosting can be challenging, but it’s not impossible.

Here are some tips to help you achieve that:

• Use a cake leveler to cut your cake layers to an even thickness.
• Apply a thin layer of frosting between each cake layer before adding the final coat.
• Use a cake scraper to help you smooth out the frosting as you work.

How To Store And Transport Smoothly Frosted Cakes

Transporting cakes can be a tricky affair, but proper storage and transport methods can save the day.

Here’s how to do it:

• Store your cake in the fridge before transportation to firm up the frosting.
• Cover your cake with a cake dome or a large overturned bowl lightly.
• Transport your cake in an even, flat surface, preferably in the trunk of your car.

Tips For Troubleshooting Other Common Cake Decorating Problems

Cake decorating can present a plethora of problems, but the following tips can help you to troubleshoot them:

• When using gel-based food colors in your frosting, remember to use sparingly as they can cause the frosting to become thin and sticky.
• If your frosting becomes too soft, try chilling it for 10-15 minutes before applying it to your cake.
• If the frosting is too thin, you can add more powdered sugar to thicken it up.

Cake decorating can sometimes be an uphill task, but with these tips, you are sure to get it right every time. Watch your frosting troubles disappear as you achieve the smooth cake of your dreams!

FAQ On Smoothing Cake Frosting With Paper Towel

Conclusion

Smooth and perfect frosting can take a baked cake from standard to spectacular in minutes. The paper towel frosting technique is a lifesaver when the frosting on your cake is bumpy or uneven.

With the simple steps described in this post, anyone can learn how to use paper towels to smooth out frosting and achieve a flawless finish.

Keep in mind that your frosting needs to be at room temperature and the process must be gentle. The paper towel should be pressed gently and not rubbed, or else the frosting will come off.

This method is practical and easy, reducing time, frustration and preserving the taste of your cake. With no need for professional skills or tools, cake decorating can be a fun and artistic activity to add some color and magic to any special occasion.

Give it a try and enjoy your perfectly frosted cakes!