Crumb Coating: What's the Point?

You have your My Cake-in-a-Box kit and are ready to create a celebration cake. Congratulations! Before you dive straight into decorating, there's a crucial step you can't afford to skip: crumb coating. What's the point? Well, it wraps your cake in a moisturizing layer of frosting to keep pesky cake crumbs out of your final decorations. Don't worry - we've included all you need in the kit! 

What exactly is a crumb coat?

Think of a crumb coat as the primer before you paint a masterpiece. It's a thin layer of buttercream that locks in any loose crumbs on the cake's surface, ensuring that your final fondant layer is smooth and crumb-free. It is also the glue that allows the fondant layer to stick to your cake. And finally, it adds an extra layer of moisture to keep your cake from drying out. Triple win!

How do you crumb coat like a pro?

Before assembling your cake, make sure your cake layers are completely cooled. This makes them easier to handle and prevents melty buttercream. Brush crumbs off each layer and then assemble with buttercream between each layer. Now, grab that piping bag of buttercream again and spread a thin layer all over the cake. We like to pipe it onto the cake, starting from the bottom up and then smoothing with the buttercream smoothing tool provided in your box. Fill in any gaps. Keep the scraper clean and dip it in warm water to minimize sticking. You don't need perfection – this is just the base layer after all, but any major bumps or gaps may show up under the fondant.

Any tips and tricks?

Absolutely! We recommend wrapping your cake layers in plastic wrap and popping them into the refrigerator or freezer for about 20-30 minutes. This will help set the crumbs in place, making it easier to add the buttercream layer. Once you have crumb coated your entire cake, pop it back into the fridge or freezer to firm up the buttercream. When the buttercream is set, pull it back out and smooth off any bumps of extra buttercream. And remember, a little patience goes a long way. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a perfectly frosted cake. Take your time, enjoy the process, and don't stress about imperfections. After all, it's the taste and fun that truly matters!

There you have it, fellow cake crafters – the secret to a flawless cake: the crumb coat. So, next time you're whipping up one of our show-stopping desserts, don't forget to give your cake some extra care with this essential step. That someone special (and your Instagram feed - tag #mycakeinabox) will thank you!