In my perspective, nothing quite like sprinkles screams “celebration cake” as loudly as they do. However, it’s not exactly the simplest task to attempt to sprinkle sprinkles over a cake like that. The good news is that you can easily produce sprinkly cakes if you use the appropriate method and put in a little bit of effort.

Hello! My name is Shea, and sprinkles are one of the things that rank among my all-time favorites in the whole wide universe. I like how vibrant and brilliant their appearance is; it makes me happy. In addition to that, they have a satisfying crunch that really brings out the flavor of the dish. Because of this, I make it a point to decorate all of my cakes and other baked goods with sprinkles whenever I can.

Do not worry if you are unable to successfully put sprinkles on the edge of your cake; you are not the only one having this problem. Because it could take a few attempts with the appropriate approach before you get it perfect, that’s why I’m here to help you. You will discover all of the information that you need to successfully add sprinkles on the edge of a cake in the following paragraphs.

Who’s up for having some fun with sprinkles?

How to Put Sprinkles on the Side of a Cake

Adding sprinkles to the top of a cake is a simple and straightforward process. However, what about making an effort to go to those sides for a really remarkable finish? You have your choice of four distinct approaches to take. Before you give it a try, you should keep in mind that certain procedures are created specifically for individual cakes.

Method 1: Freshly Frosted Sprinkles

You have patiently awaited for the cake to cool completely before applying the frosting to achieve perfection. At long last, you have a delectable layer of buttercream or whipped cream icing that is completely smooth and flat. Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to level up with some icing.

Simply positioning your cake on a turntable is all that is required to complete the freshly frosted sprinkling approach. (There is no need to panic if you do not own a turntable. It makes this approach simpler to implement, but it is not necessary in and of itself).

After that, scoop up a good amount of sprinkles into one hand and angle it such that it is pointing at an extremely acute angle. It should feel as if the bottom of your palm is nearly touching the cake. Then, while spinning the cake, let the sprinkles to fall from your palm onto the edges of the cake, and continue to turn it as the sprinkles fall.

Keep in mind that in order for this procedure to work, you will need to utilize freshly made frosting that has not yet solidified. Because of this, you will need to work swiftly, but the results will be well worth the extra effort.

You may still decorate the cake with the sprinkles even if some of them fell off the cake. You may use a knife or a spatula to scoop them up, and then you can just press them onto the cake. Proceed in this manner until you have a sprinkling arrangement that satisfies your needs.

The following is an excellent video that will demonstrate to you the correct way to carry out this procedure.

Method 2: Frozen Sprinkles

There are a lot of folks who insist that you should freeze a cake before you sprinkle it. In order to complete this step, you will need to turn the cake upside down. Therefore, if you’re uncomfortable with the idea of doing that, it’s probably better for you to avoid using this approach completely.

Follow these steps in order to successfully utilize the frozen upside-down cake method:

1. Freeze the frosted cake for around thirty minutes –The cake has to be chilled to a point where it can be turned over without any problems.
2. Flip the cake upside down and place it on a cookie sheet –There is no need that it be a cookie sheet. It doesn’t matter what kind of pan you use, as long as it can accommodate your cake.
3. Line the cake with a thin layer of frosting –If you want the sprinkles to stay in place, you will need to add a little amount of new frosting first since they won’t attach to a smooth surface.
4. Grab a handful of sprinkles and apply directly to the frosting –You want to use some force, but you don’t want to ruin the cake by pressing too tightly.
5. Continue to press until you’re satisfied, then flip the cake over –It is important to remember that you should frost and spray in stages. In the event that this does not occur, the frosting will become too solid to properly accommodate the sprinkles.

Method 3: Rolled Sprinkles

If you are dealing with a huge cake, it is strongly recommended that you steer clear of this procedure completely. It won’t be successful. However, if you are making a more compact and thick cake, this might be a straightforward method for finishing the sprinkling.

In order to carry out this procedure, you will need to dump one whole container of sprinkles onto a baking sheet (or another type of wide and large pan that will fit your cake). After that, spread the icing evenly across the whole cake.

The next step is to roll the cake in the sprinkles, as you probably anticipated it would be. Yes, it is quite possible that the dirt will get on your fingertips. To get sprinkles on every part of your little cake, though, you only need to follow these really easy steps. When you’re through, all you have to do is lick your fingers and enjoy the delicious combination of frosting and sprinkles.

Method 4: Fondant Sprinkles

What should you expect if you are going to be dealing with fondant? Don’t be concerned. The process of decorating the sides of a fondant cake with sprinkles does not have to be difficult.

The best method for achieving sprinkles on the side of a fondant cake is to gently damp the fondant where the sprinkles will go. This will ensure that the sprinkles stick. After that, give it a little coating of water or piping gel, and then, using either your hands or a spatula, add the sprinkles to the area where you want them to be.

Carry on until you have the desired level of sprinkling on your cake. For those of you that learn better by seeing things demonstrated, here is a wonderful video that will teach you how to put sprinkles to fondant using piping gel.

On top of the fondant, you may also spread a new layer of buttercream or whipped cream, and then sprinkles would go on top of that. Bear in mind, however, that this may result in the cake having a significantly increased level of sweetness; hence, this technique might not be suitable for all fondant cakes.

FAQs

As can be seen, decorating the edge of a cake with sprinkles is a rather straightforward process. Nevertheless, unless you’re going to be covering the cake with fondant, the best choice for any kind of cake will almost always be fresh frosting. Still have any questions? If so, continue reading.

How far in advance can you put sprinkles on a cake?

Great question! Sprinkles won’t go bad quickly after being applied to a cake, but you should be concerned about the colors running and altering the tone of the baked good they are on. In light of this, it is recommended that you sprinkle the side of your cake no more than 12 hours before it is going to be served.

Do sprinkles go on before or after baking?

If you want to create a confetti-style center for your cake, you may absolutely add sprinkles to the batter before baking. However, if you want to add sprinkles to the sides of your cake, you will need to do so after the cake has been baked and allowed to cool. After the cake has had enough time to completely cool, it should be frosted, and then sprinkled.

Do sprinkles expire?

Due to the very high amount of sugar that is included in sprinkles, they are recognized for having a shelf life that is effectively endless. Because it inhibits the development of germs, sugar is an item that has a long shelf life and may be stored in your cupboard for many years without the risk of going bad.

Will sprinkles stick to buttercream?

If the buttercream has already set, the answer is no. When decorating the sides of a cake with sprinkles, you should always use fresh buttercream (or whipped cream), since this will ensure that the sprinkles stick. This is the case regardless of whatever approach you use, whether it the first, the second, or the third.

How do you make sprinkles stick to cake without icing?

Using powdered sugar, lemon juice, and warm water to produce a glaze is one of our go-to methods of preparation. Start with around four cups of powdered sugar and approximately one-third of a cup of lemon juice (this helps prevent it from being so excruciatingly “straight-sugar” sweet). After that, gradually add the hot water while whisking the mixture completely with a wire whisk.

How do you decorate a cake with buttercream on the side?

Place a big glob of buttercream that has been softened (but not to the point where it is runny or melted) in the middle of the cake. To smooth the icing all the way to the edge of the cake, you may use a spatula or a palette knife. To decorate the edges of the cake, use the spatula or palette knife to spread smaller quantities of icing in portions, then flip the cake over and do it again.

Will sprinkles bleed into buttercream?

Before we begin the lesson, there are a few things regarding sprinkles that you will need to know, and we will also answer any questions that you may have. The colors of the sprinkles do transfer into the frosting. After you have added them to your baked goods, such as your cake, cupcakes, or cookies, everything will be alright.

How do you put sprinkles on dry icing?

Once the area has dried, I use a little paintbrush and softly apply a stroke of vodka to the place you want sprinkles to go. This works great if you are working on a big quantity, so give it a try if you are. If you want to sprinkle the whole cookie, wait to apply the sprinkles when the frosting is still wet. This will ensure that the sprinkles adhere properly.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of individuals who wish to decorate the edge of their cake with sprinkles so that it seems more fun and interesting. When you top your cake with freshly made frosting, doing this task is simple. Simply apply a layer, add the sprinkles by hand or with a spatula, and then enjoy the finished product that has sprinkles on it!

Do you sprinkle the sides of your cake with sugar crystals?