When icing cakes what is a crumb coat?

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to a cake before the final coat. It's essentially a barrier between the cake and the final frosting.

Here's why it's important:

* Keeps crumbs from mixing with the final frosting: Crumbs can make your frosting look messy and uneven. The crumb coat traps them in, giving you a smooth, polished final product.

* Creates a smooth base for the final frosting: The crumb coat fills in any imperfections on the cake, creating a more even surface to work with. This helps the final frosting adhere better and allows you to achieve a flawless finish.

* Prevents soaking: If your cake is very moist, a crumb coat can help prevent the frosting from getting soggy.

How to apply a crumb coat:

1. Chill the cake: This helps the frosting adhere better.

2. Apply a thin layer of frosting: Use a thin spatula or offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly over the entire cake, including the sides. Don't worry about making it perfect at this stage.

3. Chill the cake again: This allows the crumb coat to set and prevents the final frosting from mixing with the cake crumbs.

4. Apply the final frosting: Once the crumb coat is set, you can apply your final frosting, ensuring a smooth and beautiful finish.

While applying a crumb coat takes a little extra time, it's definitely worth it for a professional-looking, delicious cake!