1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need:

• A Fully Frosted Cake: The frosting acts as the adhesive for the sprinkles, so ensure your cake is completely covered.
• Sprinkles: Choose your favorite type of sprinkles—jimmies, nonpareils, or confetti. The size and shape of the sprinkles will impact the final look.
• A Cake Turntable: This isn’t strictly necessary, but it makes the process much easier.
• Offset Spatula or Bench Scraper: Useful for smoothing the frosting.
• Piping Bag (optional): For more precise application of frosting.
• A Small Plate or Sheet Pan: To catch any stray sprinkles.

2. Prepare Your Cake

Start with a cake that is fully frosted. The frosting should be smooth and even. If you’re using a crumb coat (a thin layer of frosting to seal in crumbs), make sure it’s set before applying the final coat.

Tip: For a more polished look, you can chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes after frosting. This helps the frosting firm up, making it easier to handle.

3. Smooth the Frosting

Use an offset spatula or bench scraper to smooth the frosting on the sides of your cake. The smoother the surface, the better your sprinkles will adhere and look.

Tip: If you’re having trouble smoothing the frosting, you can dip the spatula in hot water and dry it before smoothing the cake. The heat will help glide the spatula over the frosting more easily.

4. Apply the Sprinkles

There are a few methods for applying sprinkles to the sides of your cake:

Method 1: Hand Application

1. Place the Cake on a Turntable: This allows you to rotate the cake while you work.
2. Pour Sprinkles into a Small Plate: This makes it easier to pick up and sprinkle without creating a mess.
3. Gently Press the Sprinkles onto the Side: With the palm of your hand or fingers, lightly press the sprinkles onto the frosting. Move around the cake as you go to ensure an even coverage.
4. Rotate the Cake: Turn the cake as you apply the sprinkles to ensure an even distribution around the entire cake.
5. Remove Excess Sprinkles: Once you’ve applied the sprinkles, tap the sides of the cake gently or use a small brush to remove any excess that didn’t stick.

Method 2: Using a Piping Bag

1. Prepare the Piping Bag: Fill a piping bag with frosting and cut a small tip off the end.
2. Pipe a Border: Pipe a border of frosting around the cake where you want the sprinkles to go. This can help contain the sprinkles and make them stick better.
3. Sprinkle Over the Piped Frosting: Apply sprinkles over the piped border. The extra frosting will act as a glue, holding the sprinkles in place.
4. Smooth Out Any Mess: Use a small offset spatula to smooth the frosting and sprinkles together if needed.

5. Finishing Touches

After you’ve applied the sprinkles, take a moment to inspect the cake. Make sure there are no bare spots or excess sprinkles. If you need to, use a small clean brush or your fingers to tidy up the edges.

Tip: If you find that some sprinkles have fallen off or are uneven, you can carefully touch them up with additional sprinkles and a gentle press.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Once you’re happy with the look of your decorated cake, it’s ready to be served! Remember to handle the cake carefully to avoid disturbing the sprinkles.

Storage Note: If you’re not serving the cake right away, store it in a cake box or under a cake dome. Sprinkles can lose their crunch and colour over time, so it’s best to add them as close to serving time as possible.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Sprinkles Aren’t Sticking: Make sure the frosting is slightly tacky. If it’s too dry, a light brush of additional frosting or a quick spray of water can help.

Sprinkles Are Falling Off: If you’re finding that sprinkles are falling off, it might be because the frosting layer is too smooth. Adding a bit of extra frosting to the sides can help.

Uneven Coverage: Ensure you’re applying the sprinkles in a consistent manner. A cake turntable helps maintain even application.

Conclusion

Adding sprinkles to the side of a cake is a delightful way to enhance its appearance and bring a festive touch to any celebration. With a smooth layer of frosting, a few simple techniques, and a bit of patience, you can create a beautifully decorated cake that’s sure to impress. So next time you’re preparing a cake, don’t forget to sprinkle on some joy!

Happy decorating!