The Challenge Of Baking A Wedding Cake

Baking a wedding cake is a challenging task, but it can be a rewarding experience for those who are passionate about baking and want to add a personal touch to their special day. It requires significant planning, time management, and attention to detail. From choosing flavours and creating a design to assembling and transporting the cake, there are many factors to consider.

Bakers need to decide on the number of tiers, the size of each tier, and the number of servings required. They also need to plan for refrigeration and freezing, especially if baking in advance. Practising the recipe and decorating techniques beforehand is essential, as is having the right tools and equipment, such as cake boards, offset spatulas, and support structures for stacked layers.

While it can be a stressful endeavour, baking a wedding cake can also be a labour of love, allowing the baker to put their skills and creativity on display for family and friends to enjoy.

Planning and preparation

Research and Planning:

Start by researching what professional wedding cake bakers do. Understand the differences between a standard party cake and a wedding cake in terms of size and requirements. Study cake order forms from bakeries to gather essential information, such as wedding details, delivery specifics, and cake details. Use resources like the Wilton cake cutting guide to determine the appropriate cake size based on the number of guests. Consult books like Tessa Huff's "Layered" for flavour and finish options.

Cost Estimation:

Calculate the costs involved in baking a wedding cake. Contact local bakeries to find out the cost per slice and any additional fees, such as delivery charges. Make a list of all the tools and ingredients needed, including parchment paper, cake pans, cake boxes, piping bags, etc. Estimate the time spent on tasks like recipe testing, baking, decorating, travelling, and setup, and factor that into the overall cost.

Order Supplies Early:

Ensure you have all the necessary equipment and ingredients well in advance. Order and store supplies in a designated bin for easy access. In addition to basic baking tools, you may need items like cake pans in various sizes, parchment rounds, cooling racks, pastry bags, gel food colouring, piping tips, offset spatulas, cake decorating stands, cardboard cake rounds, cake boxes, a level, dowels, and a hacksaw for cutting dowels.

Practice and Preparation:

Practice baking the wedding cake layers ahead of time to perfect the recipes and adjust them to fit the pan sizes. This will also help increase your comfort and confidence in baking. Freeze egg whites if you're making a traditional white cake, as they can be stored for up to a year. Measure and mix dry ingredients and sugars into separate containers, clearly labelled with the ingredients, flavour, and tier they are intended for. Cake layers can be made a few weeks in advance, wrapped, and frozen until needed.

Icing and Decoration Practice:

If the wedding cake will have icing or decorations, practice these techniques on styrofoam cake rounds or extra cake layers stored in the freezer. This will help you refine your skills and ensure a smoother process on the wedding day.

Transportation and Setup:

Plan how you will transport the wedding cake to the venue. Consider the distance, temperature, and vehicle type. Ensure your vehicle has a flat cargo space and working air conditioning to maintain the cake's integrity. Prepare signs for your car, such as "Wedding Cake on Board," to inform other drivers and reduce potential road rage. Have a cake repair kit with you, including extra frosting, pastry bags, offset spatulas, and paper towels for any last-minute fixes.

Thorough planning and preparation will help ensure a smooth and successful process when baking a wedding cake.

Baking and assembling

Baking a wedding cake is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process.

Planning

Before you start baking, there are a few things to consider:

• Number of guests: This will determine the size of the cake and the number of layers needed. Most cakes have between 2 and 4 tiers, with a difference of about 2-3 inches between each tier.
• Flavours: Choose flavours that the couple will enjoy. Consider doing a trial run to ensure the flavours work well together and to practise the recipe.
• Dietary restrictions: Be sure to accommodate any dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or vegan options.
• Recipes: Decide on the recipes you will use for the cake and the icing.
• Number of layers: Plan to make more layers than you think you need, as backups in case something goes wrong.
• Refrigerator/freezer space: You will need ample space to store the cake layers before assembly.
• Assembly location: Decide where you will assemble the cake. Ensure the space has enough table space and is cool or air-conditioned.
• Transportation: If the cake needs to be transported, ensure you have a suitable vehicle with a flat surface and working air conditioning.
• Time management: Baking and assembling a wedding cake is a time-consuming process. Give yourself twice as much time as you think you will need and plan out each step carefully.

Baking

• Batter: Measure and mix the batter according to your recipe. You may need to scale up the recipe to accommodate the number of guests.
• Baking pans: Use baking pans that are 3 inches tall and match the size of each tier.
• Parchment paper: Line the pans with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
• Baking time: Bake the layers according to your recipe. For large cakes, you may need to bake longer than usual.
• Cooling: Allow the layers to cool completely before handling. You can bake the layers in advance and freeze them until you are ready to assemble.

Assembly

• Crumb coating: Apply a thin layer of frosting to each layer to seal in the crumbs and create a smooth surface.
• Filling: Spread the filling of your choice (e.g. buttercream, curd, or jam) between the layers.
• Stacking: Carefully stack the layers on top of each other, using a central wooden dowel to keep the tiers stable and centred.
• Frosting: Apply a final coat of frosting to the outside of the cake, using a spatula or piping bag to create the desired finish.
• Decorations: Add any desired decorations, such as fresh flowers, cake toppers, or piped buttercream designs.
• Refrigeration: Store the assembled cake in the refrigerator until it is time to transport it to the venue.

Transporting the cake

• Cake box: Place the cake in a sturdy box, such as a moving box from a hardware store.
• Signs: Put signs on your car, such as "Wedding Cake on Board," to alert other drivers and reduce road rage.
• Slow driving: Drive slowly and carefully to avoid jostling the cake.
• Air conditioning: Ensure your car's air conditioning is working to keep the cake cool during transport.
• Flat surface: Place the cake on a flat surface in the car, such as the back seat or cargo area.
• Help: Enlist the help of a friend to assist with transporting the cake and provide moral support.

Setting up at the venue

• Timing: Aim to deliver the cake to the venue as close to the event as possible, especially if it is a warm day.
• Table: Set up a table for the cake, ensuring it is stable and decorated as desired.
• Final touches: Add any last-minute touches, such as fresh flowers or piped buttercream.
• Cutting: Be sure to instruct the venue staff on how to cut the cake properly, considering the number of layers and supports.

Transporting the cake

Transporting a wedding cake can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with careful planning, it can be done successfully. Here are some tips to help ensure your cake arrives safely and securely:

• Choose the right vehicle: Select a vehicle with a flat cargo space, such as an SUV or a van. Make sure the seats can be folded down to create a flat surface for the cake. And don't forget to ensure the vehicle has working air conditioning to keep the cake cool during transport.
• Use a cake box: Invest in a sturdy cake box, such as a moving box from a hardware store. These boxes are cheap, durable, and can accommodate the weight of a wedding cake. Cut a flap on one side of the box with a knife to create an opening for the cake to slide in easily.
• Secure the cake: Use bubble tea straws, wooden dowels, or milkshake straws to support each tier of the cake. This will help ensure the cake can bear its weight and maintain its shape during transport.
• Protect the cake from damage: Place the cake on a non-slip surface, such as a rolling mat or Silpat, inside the box. This will prevent the cake from sliding around during the trip.
• Bring a cake repair kit: Prepare a kit with extra frosting in different colours, pastry bags, offset spatulas, and any other decorations you may need. This will allow you to make quick fixes if the cake is jostled or bumped during transport.
• Drive carefully: Place signs in your car windows to alert other drivers that you are transporting a wedding cake. Drive slowly and carefully to avoid sudden stops or sharp turns that could damage the cake.
• Have extra hands: Enlist the help of friends or family members to assist you in carrying the cake and ensuring it stays stable during the trip.
• Plan your route: Choose the shortest and smoothest route to the venue to minimise the risk of bumps and potholes.
• Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue and set up the cake. This will help reduce stress and allow you to address any last-minute issues.
• Communicate with the venue: Speak to the caterer or venue manager in advance about cake transport and refrigeration details. Ensure they have the necessary space and resources to accommodate your cake.

Decorating the cake

If you want to add extra decorations, you can use a pastry bag with a round tip for piping. You can also use a toothpick for tracing. If you're feeling confident, you can even try your hand at shaping a central wooden dowel into a point, to make it easier to slide your cakes onto it.

If you're not confident in your decorating skills, you can keep it simple. One person on Reddit shared that they chose to do their cake "semi-naked" to make frosting and assembling easier. Another person said they decorated their cake with buttercream and a casual swirl finish.

Remember, your cake doesn't have to look like it came from a professional caterer. It's homemade and that's something to be proud of!

Cutting the cake

Practice makes perfect

As with any part of a wedding, it's a good idea to practice the cake-cutting in advance. This will help you perfect the technique and ensure you're comfortable with it when the time comes. Practising will also allow you to estimate how long the cake-cutting will take, so you can fit it seamlessly into the schedule on the day.

Choose your tools

You'll need to decide whether to cut the cake with a knife or a cake-cutter, and whether to use a cake stand. If you opt for a knife, a long, serrated blade is best for portioning the cake. A cake stand can add a touch of elegance to the proceedings, but it's not essential.

Positioning

If you're planning to cut the cake in front of your guests, you'll need to position the cake table in a place where everyone can see. If you're not planning to make a big show of it, you can cut the cake away from the crowd, then bring out the slices for your guests.

Who does the honours?

Traditionally, the couple cut the cake together, but there's no reason why you can't enlist members of the wedding party, family members, or even guests to help. You could also have different people cut each tier.

How to cut it

Start by cutting a slice from the back of the cake, to avoid getting icing on the front. Then make a horizontal slice partway down, and an adjacent vertical slice to remove a portion of cake. You can then cut this portion into smaller slices to serve to your guests.

When to cut it

There are no hard and fast rules about when to cut the cake. It can be a nice way to round off the meal, or you might prefer to cut the cake later on, perhaps as a prelude to the evening's entertainment.

Don't forget the top tier!

Many couples choose to save the top tier of their wedding cake to eat on their first anniversary. If you're planning to do this, remember to set it aside before cutting the rest of the cake.

Frequently asked questions