Step 6 Repeat this process around the entire surface of the cake one small section at a time ( If you place the dabs of buttercream all around the cake , it will harden before you get to it with the scraper ). Follow a zig zig kind of pattern when dabbing on the buttercream , moving in diagonal lines upward to the top of the cake and then back down again . I find this pattern of application distributes the colour nicely .
Step 7 Return the cake to the fridge for 5-10 minutes to allow the buttercream to set .
Step 8 Remove the cake from the fridge . You will now repeat Steps 4 through to 7 , using the ‘ light ’ buttercream shade . When applying the dabs of the lighter shade buttercream , work in a zig zig pattern that is opposed to the ‘ darker ’ shade buttercream ( think of two interlocking zig zig lines , one peaking where the other hits bottom ).