Why is syrup added to the inside of a cake before frosting? Maybe the cream sticks better with each layer of cake?
asked Jul 1, 2019 at 6:24
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4Just wanted to mention, I'm from the UK and we very rarely add syrup to a cake as standard (apart from a drizzle cake), so it must be something to do with specific recipes!– GamoraJul 1, 2019 at 15:39
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4Ditto for the US..– user57361Jul 1, 2019 at 16:53
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1@Bee it's standard in home baking to use thinned down Apricot Jam as a "syrup" to stick on marzipan or other icing eg when making a fruit cake or Battenburg cake.– pbhjJul 1, 2019 at 19:32
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1Those are specific types of cake though, both topped with royal icing or marzipan, the op is talking about topping with frosting and I'd never add syrup under that– GamoraJul 1, 2019 at 19:52
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3Syruped cakes are the norm in Eastern cuisine (the geographical separation starts around Turkey, I suspect the origin of the practice is India). People in countries with syruped cakes are surprised at the idea of eating a cake which has not been soaked in syrup, just as people with countries are surprised at the idea of soaking it. But we are still talking about a standard, widespread practice, not about something rarely used in specialized recipes.– rumtscho ♦Jul 2, 2019 at 9:47
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3 Answers
Brushing a cake with simple syrup before frosting is done to prevent the cake from drying out too quickly, and sometimes to add flavour (if a flavoured syrup is used instead of just water+sugar).
answered Jul 1, 2019 at 8:11
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2It also would be harder to add syrup after frosting. You'd either "flush" off the frosting, dilute it or end up with a puddle of syrup around the cake. Jul 2, 2019 at 6:40
The syrup is added to the cake before frosting so that is remains moist throughout. Also you can add flavours to your simple syrup to enhance the flavour like cinammon or star anise in banana cake and orange cake. For mango cake, you can simply add cardamom to syrup. Avoid using simple syrup if it is already moist and delicate. It would destroy the cake.
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"It would destroy the cake."Destroy how? Structurally? Jul 1, 2019 at 16:07 -
6@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas : the cake can't absorb the moisture and maintain structural integrity. It either seeps out the bottom and makes a mess, or the cake starts breaking down and has a texture more like wet crumbs than cake.– JoeJul 1, 2019 at 17:11
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1@RoddyoftheFrozenPeas If the cake is already moist or too soft and you'll add simple syrup, it would make it soggy and heavy and it might collapse as it won't be able to hold that liquid for too long.– aashiiJul 2, 2019 at 4:38
Simple syrup add a great taste, but be careful not to add too much syrup. The frosty will collapse. Just add 1/4 cup to each layer of your cake prior of frosting. Wait for an 1 hour to absorb the syrup prior of frosting. This happened to me for adding to much syrup. 
