Designing And Baking A Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a wedding cake is a challenging but rewarding task. It requires careful planning, practice, and attention to detail. Here are some key steps to help you make a beautiful and delicious wedding cake:

- Plan ahead: Consider the number of guests, the size of the cake, and the number of tiers. Calculate how much cake batter and frosting you will need.

- Practice baking and decorating: Find recipes that suit your taste and practice making the cake layers and frosting. You can also try different decoration techniques, such as piping, ruffles, or fresh flowers.

- Prepare in advance: Bake the cake layers ahead of time and freeze them. This helps lock in moisture and makes the cake more manageable. You can also make the frosting ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.

- Assemble the cake: Use cardboard cake rounds for each tier, and insert wooden dowels or bubble tea straws for support. Carefully stack the tiers, adding a thin layer of frosting between them.

- Transport and display: Use a sturdy cake box for transportation, and assemble the final decorations at the venue. Add fresh flowers, if desired, on the day of the event.

Plan ahead and do a little math

Planning ahead and doing a little math is key to making a wedding cake. First, you need to decide on the number of guests and the size of the cake. For instance, a 12-inch, 10-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch tiered cake with three layers in each tier can serve about 134 people.

Next, you need to calculate how many batches of cake batter you will require. For instance, a cake with the above-mentioned tiers would need six batches of cake batter. It is also a good idea to get the right amount of ingredients beforehand and get them ready before you start baking.

Additionally, you should use a recipe specifically designed as a wedding cake to ensure it is sturdy enough and makes the right amount of batter and icing. For instance, a three-tier cake would require three cakes of 12", 9", and 6" each, along with a large quantity of icing.

Finally, you should also plan your calendar accordingly. Take time to make a test cake and keep careful notes. You can also decide on the decorations and practice them beforehand.

Make your cake layers in advance

Making a wedding cake is a big task, but it can be done with some forward planning and preparation. One of the most important things to remember is to make your cake layers in advance. This will save you time and stress closer to the wedding day.

The key to making cake layers in advance is to wrap them properly, locking in all the moisture and protecting them from the freezer. It is a good idea to wrap and freeze your cake layers while they are still a little warm, so the steam is locked in with the cake layer. This will result in a moist and delicious cake layer.

There are different ways to wrap your cake layers, and all methods work well. You can wrap and freeze your cake layers up to several days in advance. Frozen cake layers can stay good in the freezer for weeks if properly sealed.

If you are making a traditional white cake, you can freeze your egg whites. Egg whites freeze beautifully, so you can save them anytime you make a recipe that only calls for a yolk. Measure your egg whites by weight and there will be no need to freeze them individually.

Cake layers can be made a few weeks in advance, as long as they are cooled completely before being wrapped in plastic wrap and foil, then frozen. Thaw the cakes in the fridge a day before icing so they can defrost slowly.

Make your frosting ahead of time

Making your frosting ahead of time is a great way to save time and stress when preparing a wedding cake. It is recommended to make the frosting a few days before the wedding, and in some cases, it can be made up to a week in advance. This will give you more time to focus on assembling and decorating the cake on the day of the wedding.

The amount of frosting you will need depends on the size and number of tiers of your wedding cake. As a rule of thumb, you will need about one batch of frosting per batch of cake batter. For a three-tier cake, you will likely need three batches of frosting. However, if you are planning to do additional frosting decorations, such as swirls or piping, you may need to increase the amount.

It is important to have enough containers to store the frosting. If you are making a large quantity of frosting, you may need to buy or borrow additional containers. Proper storage will ensure that the frosting stays fresh and can be easily transported to the wedding venue.

When making the frosting, it is essential to follow a recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes. This will ensure that the frosting is sturdy enough to hold up the tiers and that you have enough to cover the entire cake. You can make your frosting more stable by ditching the mixer and stirring the frosting by hand with a wooden or metal spoon. This technique will help to get rid of any air bubbles and give your frosting a smooth and velvety texture.

Additionally, when making your frosting, consider the flavour preferences of the couple and the guests. While a traditional vanilla buttercream is a classic choice, you can also experiment with different flavours, such as almond, lemon, orange, or coconut. You can also add extracts or mix in ingredients like raspberry jam to create unique flavour combinations.

By making your frosting ahead of time and following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and stunning wedding cake.

Add supports into your tiers

Adding supports to your tiers is a crucial step in assembling a wedding cake. This will ensure your cake can support its own weight and maintain its shape.

There are several options for the types of supports you can use. Some people prefer wooden dowels, while others opt for bubble tea straws, which are easier to cut and work very well. If you're concerned about stability, you can also use a combination of both. For example, you can use bubble tea straws for the individual tiers and a central wooden dowel for added stability.

To add supports to your tiers, follow these steps:

• Place your bottom tier on a cake drum or cake board.
• Insert one support (either a straw or a dowel) into the centre of the cake.
• Evenly distribute additional supports in a circular pattern around the central support. For an 8" cake, you'll typically use 3-9 supports. As you add more tiers, you'll need fewer supports in each tier.
• Mark the height of each support where it reaches the top of the cake using a cake decorating pen or similar tool.
• Remove the supports and cut them to the correct height. They should be flush with the top of the cake—they should not sit above the top of the tier, as this will prevent the upper tiers from sitting evenly.
• Re-insert the supports.
• Repeat this process for each subsequent tier.
• If desired, you can add a central dowel for extra stability. Drill a hole through the cake boards (except the bottom one) to accommodate the central dowel. Sharpen one end of the dowel and push it through the cake from the top.

Assemble your cake

Assembling a wedding cake is a complex process, but with careful planning and practice, it can be done. Here is a step-by-step guide to assembling your wedding cake:

Prepare the Cake Tiers:

Before assembling the cake, ensure that the individual tiers are properly baked, levelled, and frozen. Each tier should consist of multiple cake layers, with a thin layer of frosting between them. The cake layers can be baked and frozen up to several weeks in advance, but they must be completely cooled before freezing. When you are ready to assemble the cake, remove the tiers from the freezer and let them thaw.

Stack the Tiers:

Place the bottom tier on a coated cardboard cake board. For added stability, insert wooden dowels or bubble tea straws into the bottom tier. Cut the dowels or straws to match the height of the cake. These supports will help bear the weight of the upper tiers. Place a small amount of frosting in the centre of the bottom tier, which will act as "glue" for the next tier. Carefully stack the next tier on top, centring it over the dowels or straws. Repeat this process for any additional tiers.

Cover the Seams:

To create a seamless look between the tiers, pipe a layer of frosting along the seam where they meet. Gently level out the frosting with an offset spatula. This will give your cake a smooth and polished appearance.

Final Decorations:

Once the tiers are stacked and the seams covered, you can add the final decorations. Fresh flowers, edible flowers, gold leaf, or piped frosting patterns are all great options. If using fresh flowers, be sure to wrap the stems with floral tape to prevent any fluid from leaching into the cake. You can also add a chocolate drip or colourful candy melts to the top tier for a unique touch.

Transport and Storage:

Transporting and storing your wedding cake requires careful planning. It is best to assemble the cake as close to the event as possible to avoid melting or other issues. If transportation is necessary, use a sturdy cake box and keep the cake level and secure during the journey. At the venue, clear a large space in the refrigerator to store the cake until it is time to serve.

Frequently asked questions