Arranging A 3-Tier Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A 3-tier wedding cake is a stunning centrepiece for any wedding reception. Whether you're baking it yourself or ordering from a bakery, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the number of guests you need to cater for, as this will determine the size of your cake tiers. You'll also need to choose your cake flavours, fillings and icing. If you're baking the cake yourself, you'll need to allow plenty of time for preparation, baking and assembly. It's also important to use cake circles or cake boards for support, especially if you're transporting the cake to the wedding venue. Finally, think about how you want to decorate your cake – fresh flowers, ribbon, sprinkles and edible decorations are all popular choices.

Choosing cake sizes and flavours

Choosing the right cake sizes and flavours for your 3-tier wedding cake is an important decision. Here are some factors to consider:

Number of Tiers and Guests:

Firstly, consider the number of guests you are expecting. The number of tiers you choose should be based on the number of guests you want to serve. A 3-tier cake typically serves around 50-100 guests. If you have a smaller guest list, you may opt for a 2-tier cake, which serves 30-40 guests, or a single-tier cake for an intimate wedding of about 10-12 guests.

Portion Sizes:

The portion sizes you choose will depend on your preferences and the style of your wedding. Traditionally, wedding cake slices are around 1" by 1" for coffee portions and 1" by 2" for dessert portions. However, modern couples often customise these sizes based on their event and guests' preferences. If you're serving other desserts or have a cocktail hour and a meal, consider smaller portions.

Cake Flavours:

When choosing flavours, consider the impact on portion sizes. A decadent flavour like chocolate cake with ganache may be best served in smaller portions, while a lighter flavour like lemon cake with vanilla buttercream can be offered in larger slices. You can also offer variety by choosing different flavours for each tier. For a traditional approach, the bottom and middle tiers can be fruit cake, which has a long shelf life and was once saved for the couple's first child's christening or their first anniversary.

Cake Shapes:

The shape of your cake tiers can also impact portion sizes and aesthetics. Square cakes are easier to cut into uniform portions and provide more servings than a round cake of the same size. Hexagonal or octagonal cakes offer even more surface area, allowing for additional servings.

Leftovers and Budget:

Consider whether you want leftovers or prefer to minimise waste. If you want leftovers for a recovery brunch or to send home with guests, increase your portion sizes or add an extra tier. On the other hand, if you're concerned about staying within your budget and avoiding waste, cater to around 70-80% of your guest count, as not everyone will want a slice of cake.

By taking these factors into account, you can choose the perfect cake sizes and flavours for your 3-tier wedding cake!

Preparing the pans

Firstly, ensure you have the right-sized pans for each tier of your cake. For a 3-tier cake, you will need three different pan sizes: a 6-inch pan, an 8-inch pan, and a 10-inch pan. It is recommended to use pans that are 3 inches deep to prevent batter overflow during baking.

Once you have the correct pans, prepare them for baking. Start by spraying the pans with cooking spray. This will help to prevent the cakes from sticking to the pans. Next, cut a wax paper round to fit the bottom of each pan. Place the wax paper rounds into the pans and spray them again with cooking spray. This double layer of protection will ensure that your cakes don't stick, making it easier to remove them once they are baked.

Another important consideration is oven temperature. To ensure your cakes bake evenly, it is crucial to have an accurate oven temperature. Use an oven thermometer to check that your oven is at the correct temperature, which is usually around 350°F for baking cakes. Remember that baking times will vary depending on the size of the layers. For a 6-inch cake, bake for 25 to 30 minutes; for an 8-inch cake, bake for 35 to 40 minutes; and for a 10-inch cake, bake for 55 to 60 minutes. These are just guidelines, and you may need to adjust the timing based on your oven's unique characteristics.

Lastly, it is essential to test for doneness. There are several signs to look for to determine if your cakes are fully baked. First, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out dry, your cake is likely done. Additionally, the cakes should appear golden brown, and their edges will start to pull away from the sides of the pans. Finally, when you touch the cakes, they should spring back. This is especially important for the 10-inch layers.

By following these detailed instructions for preparing the pans, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and stable 3-tier wedding cake.

Baking and levelling the cakes

Baking the Cakes:

Before you begin baking, it's important to gather the right tools and ingredients. You'll need round cake pans in different sizes (6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch). Additionally, you'll need a rotating cake turntable, cardboard or foam core cake rounds, a cake drum for the bottom tier, a serrated cake knife, and other basic baking equipment.

The first step is to prepare your cake pans. It is recommended to spray them with cooking spray and then line the bottoms with wax paper or parchment paper. This will ensure that your cakes don't stick to the pans.

For a 3-tier wedding cake, you'll typically need to bake two cakes of each size (6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch), as each tier consists of two layers. The baking times will vary depending on the size of the cakes. Here's a general guideline:

• 6-inch cakes: 20 to 30 minutes
• 8-inch cakes: 30 to 40 minutes
• 10-inch cakes: 40 to 60 minutes

It's important to note that oven temperatures and baking times may vary, so it's always a good idea to use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy.

Once your cakes are baked, let them cool for about 10 minutes before loosening them from the pans and transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Levelling the Cakes:

Levelling your cakes is crucial to ensuring a straight and stable 3-tier wedding cake. Here are the steps to level your cakes:

• Make sure your cakes are completely cooled before levelling.
• Use a long serrated cake knife to cut a thin, even layer off the top of each cake. This will create a flat surface for stacking.
• To get a straight cut, keep the blade level while rotating the cake on the turntable. Use a sawing motion instead of trying to push the blade through the cake, as it can cause tearing.
• You only need to level the tops of the cakes, but you need to do this for all six layers.
• When assembling the tiers, flip the cakes so that the bottoms are facing upward. The straight edge of the cake pan will ensure that the tops of each tier are flat, especially for the top tier.

By following these steps, you'll have evenly baked and levelled cakes that are ready to be stacked and decorated. Remember to take your time and work carefully to ensure a stable and beautiful 3-tier wedding cake.

Assembling and stacking the tiers

To assemble and stack the tiers of a 3-tier wedding cake, you will need cake circles, support or bubble tea straws, a cake leveler, a cake turntable, a long central dowel, a ruler, and a 2-directional level.

Start by stacking and frosting your cake layers. Use a bit of frosting underneath each tier to hold the cake layers to the cake circles. Apply crumb coats and then spread the cake tiers with frosting and smooth. Mark the centre of your first/base tier and roughly outline where the next tier will go. This will ensure that you place your support dowels where they won't be visible. Cut your dowels to the height of the tier they'll be supporting. Mark where your support dowels will go, making sure to place them at least 1/4" inside your marked circle. Evenly space and then insert the dowels into your base tier, pushing them straight down.

Centre your middle dowel, using a ruler to help centre it, and the vertical level to ensure it's straight. Centre your next tier on top of your dowel and slide it straight down, centring it on your base tier. Repeat these steps until your cake is stacked.

If you are transporting your cake, it is best not to stack the tiers beforehand. Instead, plan to have your caterer or skilled guests stack the cake tiers at the venue.

Decorating the cake

Firstly, you can add some colour to your cake. You can opt for a different shade of frosting, such as light blue, light pink, or light purple. Alternatively, you can keep the cake white and add some colourful decorations. Ribbons, fruit, cake toppers, and fresh flowers are all great options to bring some colour to your cake. You could even add some gold or silver tones to make your cake elegant and modern.

If you want to add some texture to your cake, you can use a palette knife to create a rustic swirl effect on the frosting. Another option is to add some fondant decorations, such as fondant bees or butterflies. You can also use frosting to pipe some decorative touches or textural designs.

Don't forget that you can also decorate your cake table! A mirror-topped table or a gilded stand can add a glamorous touch to your cake display. Fresh flowers, eucalyptus hoops, or a glass cloche can bring a romantic, rustic feel to your cake table.

Finally, don't be afraid to think outside the box. You can incorporate your interests, like adding a miniature of your dog, or your wedding theme, such as a beach or rustic theme. Whatever you choose, your 3-tier wedding cake is sure to be a beautiful statement piece at your reception.

Frequently asked questions