Are you tired of dry, crumbly cakes that lack that perfect moistness?
Look no further than simple syrup!
This magical mixture of sugar and water is a baker’s secret weapon for adding and restoring moisture to cakes.
But what exactly is simple syrup, and how does it work?
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using simple syrup on your cakes before frosting, including how it keeps your cake moist and adds a touch of sweetness.
Plus, we’ll share some tips for infusing your simple syrup with different flavors to take your cakes to the next level.
Get ready to elevate your baking game with this easy and effective trick!
Why Put Simple Syrup On Cake Before Frosting?
So, why exactly should you put simple syrup on your cake before frosting?
First and foremost, simple syrup helps keep your cake moist. Even if you bake your cake for the right amount of time and use all the correct ingredients, there’s no guarantee that it will turn out perfectly moist. A dry cake can often be caused by something as seemingly minor as overmixing the batter or using a dark cake pan, which retains more heat.
Thankfully, brushing your cakes with simple syrup is the best way to keep them moist. Before decorating and assembling a cake, use a pastry brush to coat all the surfaces and edges with a light layer of syrup. The syrup should naturally seep into the crumb, adding additional moisture to make up for any that evaporated out.
But that’s not all – simple syrup can also add a touch of sweetness to your cake. This is especially helpful if you’re making a cake that’s not overly sweet, such as a carrot cake or a lemon cake. By brushing on some simple syrup, you can add just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the other flavors in the cake.
What Is Simple Syrup And How Does It Work?
Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water that is heated until the sugar dissolves, creating a clear liquid. The syrup can be used in a variety of ways, including as a sweetener for cocktails and other beverages, as well as a glaze for fruits. However, in the context of baking, simple syrup is used to keep cakes moist and add sweetness.
When applied to a cake, the simple syrup seeps into the crumb and fills any gaps or dry spots, adding moisture to the cake. This is especially important when assembling and decorating large or complex cakes, which can take several days to complete. Simple syrup helps ensure that the cake remains moist throughout every stage of the process.
In addition to its moisture-retaining properties, simple syrup can also enhance the flavor of a cake. By adding extracts or fruit flavors to the mixture, you can infuse your cake with a subtle burst of flavor that complements the other ingredients.
It’s important to note that while simple syrup can add sweetness to a cake, it won’t drastically alter the overall flavor profile. The ratio of sugar to water is one-to-one, so the sweetness level will be relatively mild. When brushing on the syrup, it’s important not to go overboard, as too much liquid can make the cake soggy. A light coating is all that’s needed to achieve optimal moisture and sweetness.
Benefits Of Using Simple Syrup On Cakes Before Frosting
Using simple syrup on cakes before frosting has several benefits. Firstly, it helps to keep the cake moist throughout every stage of assembly and decoration. As mentioned earlier, brushing the cake with simple syrup adds extra moisture that may have been lost during baking or while the cake was sitting out. This is especially important if you plan on decorating your cake over a period of several days, as it will help to prevent the cake from drying out and becoming stale.
Secondly, simple syrup can enhance the flavor of your cake. By adding a touch of sweetness and subtle flavor, it can complement the flavors of the cake and frosting. This is particularly useful if you’ve made a cake that’s not too sweet or if you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your creation. You can even infuse your simple syrup with different flavors like fruit or spices to add an extra dimension to your cake.
Lastly, using simple syrup can help to create a smooth and polished finish on your cake. When you apply frosting to a dry cake, it can sometimes be difficult to get the frosting to stick properly. However, when you brush the cake with simple syrup, it creates a slightly sticky surface that helps the frosting adhere better. This results in a more even and professional-looking finish.
How Simple Syrup Keeps Your Cake Moist
Simple syrup is made up of hot water and granulated sugar in a one-to-one ratio. When cooled and brushed onto the cake, the liquid is absorbed into the sponge, adding extra moisture to the cake. This is particularly useful for homemade cakes, which can sometimes be drier and denser than box mix cakes.
The added moisture from the simple syrup also helps to give the cake a more even texture and prevent it from drying out. This is especially important for cakes that contain fruit or stronger flavors, such as chocolate or coffee, as they tend to dry out more quickly than other cakes.
Furthermore, simple syrup can help prevent sugar from crystallizing and forming a crunchy texture on the surface of the cake. This can be particularly helpful if you’re making a cake that needs to be stored for a longer period of time, as it will help keep the cake fresh and moist.
Adding A Touch Of Sweetness With Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add a touch of sweetness to your cake. You can use regular white sugar to make a neutral-tasting, crystal clear syrup that will sweeten any cake without adding any color. For a richer taste, you can try using demerara or turbinado sugar. Demerara simple syrup is a great choice for cakes with aged spirits, as the subtle caramel and molasses notes accent the flavors perfectly.
To add simple syrup to your cake, start by making a 1:1 ratio syrup using sugar and water. Once the syrup has cooled, use a pastry brush to lightly coat all the surfaces and edges of your cake. The syrup will seep into the crumb, adding additional moisture and sweetness to your cake.
If you’re looking to add even more flavor to your cake, consider infusing the simple syrup with herbs or fruits. Fresh herbs like mint or thyme can add a subtle, refreshing flavor to your cake, while fruits like strawberries or raspberries can add a bright and fruity sweetness.
Tips For Infusing Simple Syrup With Different Flavors
If you want to take your simple syrup to the next level, try infusing it with different flavors. Here are some tips for creating flavorful simple syrups:
1. Choose your flavor profile: When it comes to infusing simple syrups, think about the flavor profiles you want to achieve. Some popular options include sweet, sour, spicy, floral, and herbaceous. You can also experiment with unusual flavors like liquid smoke or bitter coffee.
2. Wait until the sugar has dissolved: If you’re creating an infusion, wait until the sugar has dissolved before adding your chosen ingredients. This will ensure that the sugar is evenly distributed throughout the syrup.
3. Heat for an additional thirty seconds: After adding your ingredients, continue heating the syrup for an additional thirty seconds before removing from heat. This will help the flavors infuse more fully into the syrup.
4. Allow time for infusion: Allow the simple syrup to infuse with the flavor of your preference for 30-60 minutes total. This will give the flavors time to fully develop and meld together.
5. Strain before storing: Once your simple syrup has infused to your liking, strain it into a container to remove any herbs, spices, or other inclusions. Store in an airtight container inside your fridge until ready to use.
6. Experiment with different flavors: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors! Some popular options include rosemary blackberry, chamomile, elderflower, bay leaf, ginger and cardamom, mint, basil, cinnamon, pink peppercorn, honey, and cranberry. Simply add these ingredients to 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar and follow the instructions above.
By following these tips and experimenting with different flavors, you can create delicious and unique simple syrups that will take your cakes and cocktails to the next level.
Elevate Your Baking Game With Simple Syrup
If you’re looking to take your baking game to the next level, simple syrup is a must-have ingredient in your arsenal. Adding simple syrup to your cake not only helps keep it moist and adds sweetness, but it also helps to add extra moisture and keep the cake from drying out. The liquid in the syrup helps give the cake a more even texture and also helps to keep the crumb moist.
Simple syrup is especially useful for cakes that contain fruit or stronger flavors, like chocolate or coffee. It helps retain the flavor of the cake and prevents sugar from crystallizing and forming a crunchy texture on the surface of the cake. Additionally, simple syrup can help complement the flavors of your cake and give it a glossy finish, making it look extra delicious.
Professional pastry chefs often use simple syrup when applying frosting to cakes because it helps keep the cake moist during all steps of the decorating process. It can sometimes take days to build a cake, and simple syrup ensures that every layer stays moist and delicious.
Whether you’re making a homemade cake or using a box mix, simple syrup can help elevate your baking game. You can use a sprinkle bottle or a pastry brush to apply the simple syrup to your cake or cupcakes. So next time you’re baking a cake, don’t forget to add some simple syrup before frosting – your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you!
