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December 06, 2022 5 min read

 

Who doesn't love a slice of cake? But let's be real, it's the filling that really makes it special. That sweet, creamy layer in the middle turns a good cake into a great one!

In today's blog, we're diving into the world of cake fillings. We've got 14 amazing types to share with you. These fillings are not just delicious but are sure to take your cake game to the next level.

 

What Are Cake Fillings?

 A variety of cakes with different fillings and decorations on them

Credit: Envato Elements/ Yulia_Panova

 

Cake fillings are thick or thin mixtures that are placed between the layers of a cake. They add flavor, height, and help keep the cake together.

 

Types of Cake Fillings

 

types of cake fillings

 

Here are the 14 different types of cake fillings that are used in cakes, ranging from popular ones to not-so-popular ones:

 

1)  Buttercream Fillings

 A vanilla cake with buttercream and chocolate on top

Credit: Envato Elements/ Prostock_Studio

 

Buttercream is simple to use. Given that it's used to cover a cake, using it as a filling makes sense.

You can find different flavors of buttercream, but chocolate buttercream and Swiss meringue buttercream are the most popular. Here's a tip: the buttercream you use inside the cake doesn't have to be the same as the one you use on the outside. You can mix it up!

 

2)  Custard Filling

 Some custard in a pot with eggs, milk and sugar on the side

Credit: Envato Elements/ CorinaDanielaObertas

 

Custard is a smooth, pastry cream filling. It is made from flour, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks. While you can find it in various flavors, vanilla and chocolate are the usual favorites.

 

3)  Whipped Cream

 A bowl of cream that has been whipped up

Credit: Envato Elements/ MPPLLC45

 

Whipped cream is another filling that is frequently used in cakes. This type of cake filling is popular among beginners. For a simple twist to your regular whipped cream filling, mix melted chocolate to give it a delicious chocolate flavor. This type of cake filling pairs beautifully with a vanilla cake and a dark chocolate cake.

 

4)  Frosting

 Some frosting on the top of a whisk

Credit: Envato Elements/ MPPLLC45

 

Most birthday cakes use frosting as the main filling. If your cake seems dry, just add some frosting to make it moist again. This filling is usually made with butter, milk, and powdered sugar.

 

5)  Chocolate Ganache

 Some chocolate being melted in a red pot

Credit: Envato Elements/ Rawpixel

 

Ganache is a smooth mix of chocolate and heavy cream that pairs nicely with many cakes. To make it extra rich and tasty, use 1.5 parts chocolate for every 1 part of cream.

 

6)  Fruit Fillings

 A cake that has been filled with strawberries with berries on top

Credit: Envato Elements/ alexandra_har

 

You can turn various fruits into cake fillings, like blueberries, apricots, strawberries, peaches, raspberries, and rhubarb. When using fruit fillings, you usually put a frosting barrier on the outer cake layer to keep the filling between the layers. If you want to use fresh fruit, it's best to assemble the cake right before serving to keep it fresh.

 

7)  Cream Cheese Filling

 Carrot cake with cream cheese filling

Credit: Wilton

 

Cream cheese frosting is loved for its tangy flavor. Even though it's often called a type of buttercream frosting, most of the fat in it comes from cream cheese rather than butter.

 

8)  Mascarpone Cream

 A bowl of mascarpone cream

Credit: Envato Elements/ composter-box

 

Mascarpone has a unique quality that makes it perfect for almost every type of layer cake. This type of cake filling is similar to cream cheese but smoother, sweeter, and less acidic.

 

9)  Curd Fillings

 Some curd in a bowl with a spoon inside

Credit: Envato Elements/ NatashaBreen

 

You can use curd as a filling by itself or mix it with buttercream to give your cake a unique flavor. Some popular curd flavors include lemon curd, blueberry curd, and strawberry curd.

 

10)  Jam Fillings

 A cake with layers of jam in between the layers

Credit: Envato Elements/ kcuxen

 

Jam fillings work nicely when you blend them with other fillings like buttercream or ganache. Before using jam as a filling, just give it a quick whisk to make it smoother, or warm it up a bit if it's too thick. If you want it extra smooth, strain out any seeds.

 

11)  Ermine Frosting

 A red chiffon cake with some ermine frosting on the cake

Credit: Bigger Bolder Baking

 

Ermine frosting is also referred to as "boiled milk" icing. This type of cake filling is light and fluffy and has a texture similar to whipped cream.

 

12)  Nut Fillings

 A chocolate cake with nuts in the icing between the layers

Credit: Envato Elements/ laroshenkoM

 

If you're a fan of nuts, a tasty nut cake filling is a great choice. It pairs nicely with a chocolate chip cake or banana cake. Nut fillings usually include butter, sugar, flour, and cream, along with your favorite nuts.

 

13)  Bavarian Cream

 A cake with a very light purple bavarian cream as icing

Credit: Flours and Frostings

 

Bavarian cream is a bit more complicated to make, but it's incredibly satisfying. It's perfect for no-bake pastries due to its silky, pudding-like consistency, and mild vanilla flavor. It falls between custard and frosting in thickness.

 

14)  Syrups and Glazes

 A glass jar with some syrup inside and sugar on the side

Credit: Envato Elements/ bhofack2

 

Although they don't provide any thickness, glazes, and syrups can also be used as fillings. They add flavor and keep the cake moist. You can store this kind of filling at room temperature unless the cake needs refrigeration.

 

15)  Mousse

 A chocolate mousse with some real chocolate pieces inside

Credit: Envato Elements/ keko64

 

Mousses are airy, delicate, and velvety. When using it as a cake filling, the most crucial consideration is that the cake you select shouldn't be excessively dense. You don't want anything to press the mousse out the sides of the cake and weigh it down.

 

How to Layer a Cake

woman putting icing on cake with frosting knife
Credit: Envato Elements/ nualaimages

 

 

Here's a simple guide on how to layer a cake:

 

Step 1: Bake Your Cake Layers

First, bake your cake layers according to your favorite recipe. Let them cool completely before you start layering.

 

Step 2: Gather Your Filling

Decide what filling you want to use – it could be frosting, fruit, curd, or anything you like. Make sure it has a spreadable consistency.

 

Step 3: Level the Cake Layers

If your cake layers have a dome shape on top, you can level them off with a serrated knife or a cake leveler.

 

Step 4: Place the First Layer

Put the first cake layer on your serving plate or cake board. This will be the bottom layer, so make sure it's flat side down.

 

Step 5: Add the Filling

Now, it's time for the filling. If it's thick, like frosting, pipe a ring of it around the edge of the cake layer. This will make a little "dam" to keep the filling from oozing out.

 

Step 6: Spread the Filling

Spread your chosen filling evenly within the "dam" you made. Don't go right to the edge; leave a little space.

 

Step 7: Add the Next Layer

Place the second cake layer on top of the filling. Make sure it's centered and sits evenly on the first layer.

 

Step 8: Repeat

Repeat steps 5 and 6 by adding more filling and spreading it out on the second layer.

 

Step 9: Top Layer

Place the final cake layer on top, with the flat side facing up. Your cake is now layered!

 

Step 10: Frost the Cake

If you like, you can frost the outside of the cake with your choice of frosting. Smooth it out for a nice finish.

 

Step 11: Decorate

Get creative and decorate your cake however you want. Sprinkles, fruit, or more frosting – it's your masterpiece!

 

Summary

 

Now that you have a rough understanding of all the amazing cake fillings out there, it's time to get baking. Shop our complete baking kit to improve your baking skills. It comes with everything you need to bake, including piping bags, piping tips, whisks, turntables, and more.

 


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