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From spatchcocking a chicken to crafting the ideal margarita, Ina Garten has shared countless culinary secrets with her fans. Now, with her active presence on social media, the Barefoot Contessa continues to answer a flood of kitchen queries, offering invaluable tips to home cooks and entertainers alike.
In a recent Instagram post, Garten addressed a common baking frustration: how to frost a cake without letting crumbs mix into the icing. She showcased her technique using her beloved Beatty’s Chocolate Cake.
Simply Recipes / Wanda AbrahamShe begins with a practical tip. “If you’re using a cake plate, you’ll want to keep it clean,” she explains in her instructional video. “I place pieces of parchment or wax paper on the plate and then set the first cake layer on top. Once the cake is frosted, simply remove the paper, leaving a pristine plate and a beautifully decorated cake.”
For the frosting process, she shares this method. “Add a small amount of icing on top and use an offset spatula to spread it evenly. The secret to avoiding crumbs is to move in one direction only—never back and forth. It’s tempting to do so, but pushing the icing from the top ensures it stays crumb-free.”
To achieve a perfectly smooth surface, she flips the second cake layer upside down, placing the bottom side up.
After stacking the layers, she advises, “Start frosting the sides, always moving in one direction. It might look messy, but the parchment paper on the plate hides any spills. Frosting is forgiving—you can fill gaps, cover cracks, and it doesn’t need to be flawless. It will still taste amazing.”
When frosting the top, Garten emphasizes pushing the icing outward from the center, not back and forth, to keep crumbs out. “Work your way around the edges to create a clean, sharp finish,” she adds.
To simplify the frosting process, Garten recommends preparing the cake ahead of time and chilling it before adding the frosting. She also suggests warming the knife or spatula in hot water (after drying it) to achieve a sleek, glossy finish on the cake, as demonstrated in her video.
It’s that simple! Like all baking endeavors, perfection comes with practice. Thanks to Garten’s tips, even an imperfect cake is guaranteed to taste delightful.
