The Art Of Wedding Cake Making: Time And Craftsmanship

There are many variables that determine how long it takes to make a wedding cake, including the number of tiers, the complexity of the design, and the level of experience of the baker. On average, a simple three-tier wedding cake without any decorations can take around 7 hours to mix, bake, cool, fill, and cover. However, the entire process of creating a bespoke wedding cake, from initial consultations to final delivery, can take several days or even years. Bakers typically devote one wedding cake per weekend to ensure attention to detail and perfection. It is recommended to order a wedding cake at least a year in advance, allowing ample time for design consultations, tastings, and the creation of intricate decorations.

Baking the cake

Once the cakes are baked, they need to be left to cool, which can take 2-4 hours. Then, wrap the cakes and leave them overnight. The next day, you can cut and fill the cakes with buttercream and ganache. This process includes levelling the cakes, making the buttercream, and crumb coating. It can take around 1-2 hours in total, depending on the number of cakes and whether you need to wash equipment in between.

The cakes then need to be chilled for 20-30 minutes before covering them in ganache, which can take around 20-30 minutes per cake. After another 20-minute chill, you can cover the cakes in fondant, which takes around 15 minutes per cake.

So, the baking and initial decorating process for a three-tier cake can take around 7 hours, excluding cooling times and any final decorations.

Cooling the cake

Once the cake is removed from the oven, it is important to allow it to cool gradually. Covering the cake with a clean tea towel and leaving it to cool at room temperature is recommended. This process ensures that the cake is not exposed to drastic temperature changes, which could affect its texture and moisture content. It is also important to note that the cake should not be placed in the refrigerator immediately after baking, as this could cause condensation and make the cake soggy.

Once the cake has cooled to room temperature, it can be wrapped in cling film or plastic wrap to retain moisture and prevent it from drying out. The cake should then be left overnight to rest. This resting period allows the cake to settle and makes it easier to handle when it comes time to decorate.

During the cooling and resting period, it is important to store the cake in a safe place where it will not be disturbed. Keeping the cake away from direct sunlight or heat sources is crucial to prevent it from drying out or becoming deformed. Additionally, if there are multiple tiers, they should be stored separately to avoid any mishaps.

The next day, the cake will be ready for the next steps in the decorating process, such as cutting, filling, and crumb coating. It is important to work with a completely cooled cake to ensure that the decorations and fillings adhere properly and that the cake maintains its structural integrity.

Overall, allowing adequate time for the cake to cool and rest is essential in creating a stable and delicious wedding cake. This step may seem simple, but it plays a crucial role in the overall success of the cake.

Filling the cake

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

The filling can be a variety of things, such as buttercream, ganache, lemon curd, or jam. If you are making buttercream, it is recommended to make it in advance and store it in the refrigerator until needed. This will save time on the day of filling and assembly. For a three-tier cake, you will need a substantial amount of buttercream or your chosen filling. It is better to have too much than too little, as any leftovers can be frozen for future use.

Step 2: Level the Cakes

Using a sharp cake-cutting tool or a serrated knife, level the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. This step ensures that the cakes will stack evenly and reduces the risk of a lopsided wedding cake. It is crucial to take your time with this step, as an uneven surface can cause instability in the finished product.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake Layers

Place the first layer of cake on a cake board or serving platter. If you are using a cake board, ensure it is the same size as the cake. This will be the base of your wedding cake. Spread a generous amount of filling onto the first layer, ensuring it is evenly distributed. You can use a spatula or a piping bag to apply the filling. Place the second layer of cake on top, being careful not to push down too hard and squeeze out the filling. Repeat this process until all the cake layers have been stacked.

Step 4: Apply the Crumb Coat

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the outside of the cake to trap any loose crumbs and create a smooth surface for the final coat of frosting. It is recommended to use a simple syrup or a thin layer of buttercream as a crumb coat. Refrigerate the cake for 20-30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set before applying the final coat of frosting.

Step 5: Final Assembly and Decoration

Once the crumb coat has set, you can apply the final coat of frosting or fondant. If using fondant, roll it out to the desired thickness and carefully drape it over the cake, smoothing it out with your hands or a fondant smoother. For a buttercream-frosted cake, use a large icing spatula to spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Add any additional decorations, such as fresh flowers, wafer paper, or chocolate decorations.

Filling a wedding cake is a delicate process that requires time and patience. It is essential to work carefully and allow adequate time for each step to ensure a stable and beautiful final product.

Covering the cake

Choosing the Right Icing

The first step in covering a wedding cake is selecting the appropriate icing or frosting. The most popular options are buttercream, ganache, and fondant. Buttercream, a creamy and sweet icing, is a traditional choice for wedding cakes. It can be made in various colours and flavours, such as vanilla or lemon. Ganache, a rich mixture of chocolate and cream, provides a glossy and elegant finish. Fondant, a type of sugar dough, creates a smooth and flawless surface, serving as an ideal base for further decorations.

Preparing the Cake

Before covering the cake, it is essential to level and fill it. This involves cutting the cake into layers, adding buttercream or ganache between the layers, and stacking them evenly. A crumb coat, a thin layer of buttercream, is then applied to the entire cake to create a smooth base and lock in crumbs, ensuring they don't show through the final layer of icing. The cake is then chilled to allow the crumb coat to set.

Applying the Final Layer

Once the crumb coat has set, it's time to apply the final layer of icing. For buttercream or ganache, use a spatula to spread a generous amount onto the cake, working from the top down the sides in smooth, even strokes. For fondant, roll it out into a thin sheet large enough to cover the cake. Carefully lift and drape the fondant over the cake, smoothing it gently with your hands or a fondant smoother to eliminate any air bubbles or wrinkles. Trim away any excess fondant from the base.

Adding Decorations

After the cake is covered, you can enhance it with decorations. Fresh flowers, sugar flowers, ribbons, or wafer paper decorations are popular choices. These decorations can be attached with a small amount of buttercream or royal icing. If desired, you can also add final touches like edible glitter, gold leaf, or piped patterns.

Timing

The time required to cover a wedding cake can vary depending on the size, complexity of the design, and the number of tiers. For a three-tier cake, covering each tier with fondant can take around 15 minutes per cake, or about 45 minutes total. Adding decorations will extend the time further, with intricate sugar flowers taking up to three hours per flower. Therefore, it is essential to plan and allow ample time for the covering and decorating process.

Decorating the cake

Decorating a wedding cake can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of tiers. Here is a step-by-step guide to give you an idea of the time involved in the decoration process:

Day 1:

Cutting and Filling the Cake:

The first step is to cut the cakes and fill them with buttercream or ganache. This process can take around 5-10 minutes per cake. The cakes are then chilled for 20-30 minutes to allow the filling to set.

Covering the Cake:

The next step is to cover the cakes with a layer of ganache or buttercream, which will create a smooth surface for the fondant to adhere to. This step can take around 20-30 minutes per cake. The cakes are then chilled again for about 20 minutes before the fondant is applied.

Applying Fondant:

Covering each cake with fondant takes around 15 minutes. This step involves rolling out the fondant, creating sharp edges, and ensuring a smooth finish without any air bubbles.

Day 2:

Adding Final Decorations:

The second day is dedicated to adding the final decorations to the cake. This can include sugar flowers, stencilling, piping patterns, ruffles, or any other intricate details. Each of these decorations can take anywhere from one to three hours per flower or design element.

Stacking the Cake:

If the wedding cake has multiple tiers, the individual cakes need to be stacked and supported with dowels. This process can take an additional 20-30 minutes, depending on the number of tiers.

Final Touches:

Any final touches, such as ribbons, wrapping the cake drum, or adding fresh flowers, can be done on the day of the wedding, just before delivery.

Delivery and Setup:

The delivery and setup of the wedding cake at the venue can take between one and three hours, depending on the complexity of the setup and the number of suppliers involved.

So, as you can see, decorating a wedding cake is a time-consuming process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. The level of customization and the number of tiers will also impact the overall time required.

Frequently asked questions