How To Create a Simple and Rustic Icing Design on a Cake (With Photos)
There are so many different ways to ice a cake, but they can be quite difficult to achieve for people who are baking at home. This horizontal-rustic style of icing is one of the easiest to do. If you want to impress everyone, try following the steps below to achieve a stunning cake!
Step 1: Gather your tools and ingredients
Since we are focusing on the icing part of this process, the type and size of your cake doesn’t matter. Be sure to pick a cake recipe that has an icing recipe attached to it, that way you’ll know you have enough for the entire cake.
Here is a list of what you’ll need:
Cake layers (Trimmed if they are very domed at the top. Watch this video here for help. I personally used three cake layers and didn’t need to trim mine.)
Batch of icing (If I want to ensure I have enough, I’ll make an extra half batch of icing for comfort)
Small or large offset spatula (or alternatively, a spoon and knife)
Turntable (or something that allows you to turn the cake as you ice)
Paper towels
Step 2: Set up your station
To stay organized, I like to keep my cake and icing to my left, and my tools to my right. I typically place a piece of cardboard underneath my cake so that I can lift it off the turntable after I finish. This isn’t necessary if you want to serve it on whatever you’re icing it on.
Step 3: Begin icing the cake layers
Place your first layer of cake on the turntable/cardboard. Dollop a large scoop of icing with your rubber spatula and begin spreading it around using your small offset spatula (or knife) as you turn the turntable clockwise. Allow the icing to spill over the sides, as this will help you later on. Place the next cake layer on top, trying your best to line it up with the one below and repeat what you did on the previous layer. Continue this process until your last layer of cake. For the last layer, place it on top of the icing with the top facing down to ensure a flat cake.
Step 4: Apply a light crumb coat
A crumb coat refers to a light layer of icing on the outside of the cake that we place in the fridge to glue it all together and create a smooth surface before you apply the rest of the icing. To start, keep the bowl of icing next to you. This will allow you to scrape icing off of your small offset spatula (or knife) as you go. Place a large dollop of icing on top and spread it out evenly. Using the icing that has spread over the sides from icing in between your cake layers, gradually work your small offset spatula (or knife) over the sides to spread it around. Grab more icing and apply to fill open areas if necessary. The goal is to have a thin base layer of icing and have a little less than half the icing remaining.
Step 5: Refrigerate cake
Once your crumb coat is complete, refrigerate your cake for 15-30 minutes so the cake can set up. Leave your station the same so that you can pull your cake out of the fridge and get back to work after the time has passed.
Step 6: Remove the cake from the refrigerator and start icing again
Once the cake is out of the refrigerator, place it back onto your station. Apply small dollops of icing with your rubber spatula to the top and sides of the cake and smooth it out just like you did for the crumb coat. This does not need to be perfect. To help, keep scraping your small offset spatula (or knife) into the icing bowl to remove extra icing and help you smooth out the sides and top of the cake.
Once you feel like enough icing is on the cake, test it out. I will lightly insert my small offset spatula (or knife) into the side to ensure there is a thick layer of icing. Be sure to smooth out the line after if you do this.
Step 7: Create the design
Once your cake is smoothed out, take your same small offset spatula (wipe it clean) or a small spoon. If using a spoon, be sure to use the back of it for this. Starting at the top of the cake, use your tool of choice to apply light pressure in one spot. Without moving your tool, turn the cake clockwise until you match up with were you started. Once the top line is complete, move right below to start a new one. Continue this process until the whole cake is covered.
Once done, clean up the turntable (especially if you’re serving it on there) and add whatever else you’d like to decorate the cake!
This particular cake was a mish-mosh (yes, that's a technical term) of admittedly leftover coconut ingredients so, no recipe here (yet). I decorated it with some flowers because why not!
