Creating A Cheese Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A cheese wedding cake is a unique and elegant alternative to a traditional wedding cake. It is made by stacking wheels of cheese on top of each other, with the largest wheel at the bottom and the smallest at the top. The cheese wheels are usually decorated with fruits, flowers, and herbs to create a beautiful and tasty display. When creating a cheese wedding cake, it is important to consider the size, colour, and texture of the cheese wheels to ensure stability and a visually appealing cake. It is also recommended to order extra cheese wheels for the top tier and to serve the cake at room temperature.

How to Make a Cheese Wedding Cake

Choosing the right cheeses

The most important thing about a cheese wedding cake is that it tastes good. It's important to know your guests' preferences, but it's also an opportunity to showcase your favourite cheeses. A good cheesemonger will let you sample each cheese before purchasing, so you can be sure your cake will be delicious as well as beautiful.

The cheeses should vary from firm to soft, with the firmest cheeses at the bottom to support the cake. The middle layers can be semi-firm, and the softest cheese should be at the top. If you want to include a soft cheese in the lower layers, you can cut out a small circle in the centre and insert an egg cup to support the layer above.

Your cake should include a range of colours, textures, and tastes. Try to select at least one hard cheese, one soft cheese, and one blue cheese. You could also add a goat's cheese, and a crumbly Lancashire, Cheshire, or Wensleydale. The harder cheeses will probably be the most popular, so you'll want the biggest quantity of those.

Each layer should get smaller by at least 2 cm, and you should choose cheeses with diameters that differ by about 1-2 inches to create a balanced effect.

Finally, don't forget to pre-taste all the cheeses in your cake. Good cheese shops will let you come in and taste the cheeses, or they may allow you to mail-order a sample box.

How to stack the wheels

Stacking the wheels of cheese is an important step in creating a cheese wedding cake. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you stack the wheels effectively:

• Ensure the top of each wheel is flat: Use a sharp knife to trim the surface if the wheels are slightly domed. A flat surface will provide a stable base for stacking.
• Start with hard or semi-hard cheese wheels: Place the largest wheel on a cake stand or a sturdy base. Hard or semi-hard cheese wheels will provide a strong foundation for the cake.
• Work from largest to smallest: Gradually stack the wheels, with each layer getting smaller by at least 2 cm. This will create a tapering tower effect.
• Use supports for soft cheeses: If you are using soft cheeses in the lower layers, cut a small circle in the centre and insert supports such as glassware, small egg cups, or wooden skewers. This will help bear the weight of the upper tiers.
• Distribute weight evenly: To distribute the weight of the upper tiers evenly, top the soft cheese layer with a cardboard cake round that is similar in size to the next wheel of cheese.
• Secure the stack: Drive a bamboo skewer or wooden skewer down the centre of the cake to hold the wheels in place and provide additional support.
• Decorate the cake: Decorate the cake with fruits, flowers, nuts, or herbs. You can also add candles or a cake topper to enhance the presentation.

Remember to taste the cheeses before purchasing to ensure they are delicious and suitable for your guests' tastes. Additionally, consider ordering extra cheese wheels of the top tier to ensure there is enough for all your guests.

Decorating the cake

The cheese wedding cake should be assembled on a stand or board that complements the style of your wedding. A rustic, bark-covered wood slab, or a simple wooden board, can be a great base for the cheese tiers.

When it comes to decorating the cake, the cheese should be the star of the show. However, you can add some extra touches to make it look even more impressive. Fresh fruit, such as grapes, figs, berries, and blackberries, can be used to fill the spaces between the layers. You could also add some edible flowers, herbs, or nuts to the display. If you want to add some height to the cake, you can place glass tea-light holders between the layers.

For a finishing touch, add a cake topper, such as a candle or two, or some fresh flowers.

Remember, the cheese wedding cake should be served at room temperature, so make sure it is set up and allowed to temper for a few hours before serving. Provide plenty of fruits, nuts, and crackers on the side, and don't forget to offer several sharp knives so guests can help themselves.

How much cheese to buy

When it comes to creating a cheese wedding cake, the amount of cheese you'll need will depend on the number of guests you're expecting. The general rule of thumb is to buy 70-100g of cheese per guest. This is if cheese is being served as part of a bigger spread or as an accompaniment to the main meal. If, however, cheese is the main part of the meal, you'll need to double this quantity. For 100 guests, this equates to around 10kg of cheese in total.

If you're creating a cheese wedding cake, you'll want to ensure that each tier is at least 2cm smaller than the one below it. This means that the amount of cheese you'll need will depend on the size of your tiers. You can ask your cheesemonger how much each wheel will serve to give you an idea of how many tiers you'll need.

It's also a good idea to order extra of the top-tier cheeses as these will be the smallest and there may not be enough to serve all your guests.

In terms of the types of cheese to include, it's a good idea to have a range of at least five different varieties with a mix of textures and flavours. Include a couple of "safer", more traditional options as well as any unusual favourites. A good cheese wedding cake should include a mix of hard, semi-firm, and soft cheeses. Harder cheeses will be the most popular, so you'll want the biggest quantity of those.

Serving the cake

The cheese wedding cake should be served at room temperature, so make sure it is out of the fridge a couple of hours before serving. If you're worried about the cheese getting too warm, aim for an hour or so. You don't want the Brie running down the aisle!

When it's time to serve the cake, take the layers apart and slice each wheel like a traditional cake. Provide sharp knives for people to help themselves. You could also slice the cheese in advance and serve individual portions to your guests.

Alongside the cheese, offer an assortment of crackers, fruits, nuts, and charcuterie. Fresh and dried fruits such as grapes, figs, berries, and apricots pair well with cheese, as do salami rosettes and other meats. You could also provide a variety of breads, such as baguette.

If you have any leftover cheese, you can freeze it or let your guests take some home to enjoy.

Frequently asked questions