Decorating a chocolate cake with whipped cream involves a few simple steps to achieve a beautiful and delicious result. Here's how:
Preparing Your Cake and Whipped Cream
Before you start, make sure your cake layers are cold. This prevents them from crumbling or wobbling while you're working. As the reference video notes, this is the easiest approach.
- Chill the cake: Place your chocolate cake layers in the refrigerator for at least an hour before decorating.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream: Make your whipped cream according to your recipe or purchase pre-made. Ensure it has reached the desired consistency for piping or spreading.
- Tip: Consider using a chocolate whipped cream to enhance the chocolate flavors.
Applying the Whipped Cream
Spreading Technique
- Start with a thin layer: Place a dollop of whipped cream in the center of the first cake layer.
- Spread evenly: Use a frosting spatula or a knife to spread the whipped cream, moving outwards. Aim for a thin, even layer.
- Layer the cake: Gently place the second cake layer on top.
- Crumb Coat: Apply a thin layer of whipped cream around the entire cake (top and sides), this seals in crumbs, creating a smooth surface for the final coat.
- Chill again (optional): If you have time, chill the crumb coated cake for a short while to firm up the icing
- Final Layer: Once the crumb coat is done, spread your second coat of whipped cream for the final, desired thickness.
- Smooth it out: Use a frosting smoother, as suggested in the provided reference video, to create a smooth and even surface on top and around the sides of the cake.
Piping Technique (Optional)
If you want to add more decorative elements, use the following piping techniques:
- Use Piping Bags & Tips: Employ a piping bag fitted with your preferred tip to create swirls, rosettes, or other designs on top of the cake, and/or around the base.
- Create borders: Pipe a border around the top edge of the cake, or at the base of the cake.
Additional Tips
- Consistency is key: Make sure the whipped cream is firm enough to hold its shape if you are piping.
- Chill frequently: Cold temperatures help the whipped cream stay stable and easier to work with.
- Decorate just before serving: Whipped cream is best used right before the cake is served.
By following these simple steps, you'll be able to decorate a chocolate cake with whipped cream beautifully.
