Applying a Crumb Coat

When assembling a layer cake, before you can finish with a luscious drape of frosting, you must first apply a crumb coat. This coat seals in any and all loose crumbs, so that your final coat is spotless and crumb free. Using an offset spatula and a small bit of frosting, spread as thin a layer of frosting as possible on the top of the cake. Then take a bit more frosting and spread it on the sides, again keeping the layer very thin. Don’t worry too much about how the crumb coat looks, as it will eventually be entirely covered with more frosting. The important thing is to make sure the whole cake gets covered with a thin layer of frosting. If time permits, place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer for 20 to 30 minutes to set the crumb coat, which will make putting on the final coat of frosting a breeze.