Ridged Buttercream Technique-Video
In this quick tutorial, I'm going to show one of the easiest ways to frost your cakes, using a ridged buttercream technique!
This style of textured buttercream is perfect for any skill level of cake decorating, and has a lovely rustic feel.
Whether you are frosting cakes for a birthday cake, wedding cake, baby shower, or just because- keep this quick and easy method in mind!
Today's short video is an updated tutorial that we first created in 2012- and we still use it all the time!
Frost a Cake with Textured Buttercream Ridges
This quick and easy frosting method can be completed in minutes! It has a professional, elegant feel yet is so easy. We hope that you enjoy it!
- First, fill and crumb coat the cake as usual, with a thin layer of frosting. You can use any frosting that you like for this method.
- Next, chill the cake in the freezer for 10-15 minutes (or longer in the refrigerator) to firm up the crumb coated layer of frosting. This is an optional step, but I find it helpful to firm everything up before moving to the next step.
- Next, frost the cake with the second (final layer of frosting). Smooth over the frosting with an offset spatula or bench scraper to even out the frosting. We will be texturing it and so it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth.
- Place the cake on a turntable. Using the tip of an offset spatula, apply pressure into the frosting while rotating the cake. With each rotation, move the spatula slightly higher, until you have reached the top edge of the cake.
- Decorate the top of the cake however you like! We created a spiral design, starting in the top center and spiraling out with an offset spatula while rotating on the turntable.
- We finished things off with a number cake topper and colorful sprinkles!
I finally joined your school and found this tutorial. I love it! It's my friend's 50th bday coming soon. I cant wait to have a go at this...so excited!
Hi Maria, Welcome to cake school!
I did a small wedding cake (6, 8 and 10" tiers) this weekend using this technique. Simple to do, but so pretty. I appreciate the tute; it was very to follow.
Sally, I'm so happy to hear that! I love the look too.
Just watched your video and I am an all buttercream caker:) so any new techniques for buttercream is a plus, but this one was amazing looking..simple but elegant... can wait to try this out:) One question what did you smooth the icing with (not the paper towel) the silver smoother? That was a first for me...And you said the bride and groom or in "your" tutorials? Thanks again... I joined a week ago and just LOVE YOU VIDEOS!!!!! ty ty ty Brenda
Again you are just amazing! I can't believe how easy this would be and can't wait to try it.
I have just finished a birthday cake for a friend using this technique and it was easier than I thought it was going to be!! I am so pleased with the end result of my cake that I can guarantee I'll be using this technique again!! Thanks Melissa
Thank you!!! -- @Kirsten, so happy to hear that it turned out great for you :0)
Melissa, I love this cake and the techique you used!!
I wish I had joined your site a month ago:( my mother requested this type of look on her 50th birthday cake & I had to tell her no because I had no idea how to do it. Oh well maybe I will have to make her this style for a "no reason at all cake";)
Hi where did you buy your turntable please, thanks
Hello! Would this work if i wanted to do a gradient cake? Do i just frost the cake in the sections? Or can i airbrush the gradient?
Thanks!