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

Making a wedding cake can be a fun and exciting project, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you arrange a beautiful and delicious wedding cake.

1. Choose the Type of Cake:

Decide on the flavour and style of the cake. Popular options include vanilla, carrot cake, red velvet, lemon cake, or even a chocolate chip cake. Consider the preferences of the couple and the overall theme of the wedding.

2. Gather Ingredients and Tools:

Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients for both the cake and the frosting. Additionally, gather tools such as cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cake boards, a pastry bag, and decorations like fresh flowers or cake toppers.

3. Prepare the Cake Pans:

Line your cake pans with parchment paper and grease them with non-stick spray or butter. This step is crucial to ensure the cakes don't stick to the pans.

4. Bake the Cake Layers:

Follow your chosen recipe and bake the cake layers separately. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling and decorating. The baking time will vary depending on the size of the layers.

5. Level the Cake Layers:

Use a long serrated cake knife to slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes, creating a flat surface. This step ensures that the cake tiers will stack evenly.

6. Make the Frosting:

Prepare the frosting according to your chosen recipe. You will need a sufficient amount of frosting for both the crumb coat and the final coat.

7. Apply the Crumb Coat:

Start by assembling each tier separately on a cake board. Apply a thin layer of frosting, called the crumb coat, to each tier. This helps to trap crumbs and create a smooth base for the final coat of frosting.

8. Chill the Cake:

Chill the cake tiers in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set. This step is important to prevent condensation and ensure the final coat of frosting adheres well.

9. Apply the Final Coat of Frosting:

Remove the cake tiers from the refrigerator and apply a generous amount of frosting to the top and sides of each tier. Use a palette knife or an icing smoother for a sharp, professional finish.

10. Stack the Tiers:

To assemble the cake, insert cake dowels or supports into the bottom tier to bear the weight of the tiers above. Carefully place the next tier on top, ensuring it is centred and secure. Repeat this process for any additional tiers.

11. Decorate the Cake:

Add the final touches to your wedding cake! You can pipe decorative details, use fresh flowers or edible decorations, or even add ribbon and sprinkles. Be creative and let your imagination shine.

12. Transport and Store the Cake:

Plan ahead for transporting the cake to the wedding venue. It is advisable to keep the cake chilled until ready to serve, especially if it contains perishable ingredients.

Choose a simple design

Choosing a simple design for your wedding cake can be a stylish option for couples who want to prioritise simplicity and understated elegance. Here are some tips to help you choose a simple design for your wedding cake:

Consider your wedding theme and colour scheme:

Think about the overall theme and style of your wedding, such as traditional and elegant, cool and contemporary, or rustic. Your wedding cake can incorporate elements that complement your theme. For example, a classic cake might feature round, stacked tiers, a white base, and fresh flowers. If you're having a contemporary wedding, you might opt for unusually shaped tiers or coloured icing. Rustic weddings could feature a semi-naked cake.

Your colour scheme is also an important consideration. You might opt for a white cake with colourful accents or choose icing in shades that match your bridesmaids' dresses or groomsmen's attire. Dark colours like black can be stunning for autumn or winter weddings.

Be inspired by fashion and personal touches:

Details from your wedding dress, such as lace, embellishment, or texture, can inspire the design of your cake. You can also add personal touches that reflect your hobbies or interests. For example, a couple who loves to travel might choose a cake with miniature paper airplanes or a stack of suitcases.

Opt for minimalist or modern designs:

Minimalist wedding cakes are becoming increasingly popular. These cakes often feature smooth finishes, single-colour frosting, and minimal decoration, such as a single flower or ribbon. They are perfect for smaller, intimate weddings or events with a modern or industrial theme. Square tiers can also add a chic and modern touch to your cake design.

If you want to incorporate current trends, consider adding gold or silver leaf detailing, an ombre design, or geometrically shaped piping. Hand-painted frosting, watercolour effects, and transparent sugar glass elements are also unique and contemporary options.

Choose simple decorations:

When it comes to decorations, fresh flowers are a popular choice and can be matched to your wedding colour scheme and natural surroundings. Sugar flowers are another option and can be customised to match your colour palette. If you prefer a more understated approach, a simple sugar bow or a single flower can add a touch of elegance.

Sprinkles, edible gold or silver leaf, or wafer paper details can also be used to decorate your cake without overwhelming the design.

Gather tools and ingredients

Before you start baking your wedding cake, it's important to gather all the necessary tools and ingredients. Here's a comprehensive list to help you get started:

Tools

• Round cake pans in various sizes (6-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch, and/or 12-inch)
• Parchment paper to line the pans
• Large serrated knife
• Cardboard cake boards in matching sizes to your pans
• Non-flexible straws or cake dowels
• Platter or cake stand to serve the cake
• Pastry bag with a round tip (size 3-7) for piping
• Lazy Susan or cake turntable for decorating
• Cake smoother or scraper
• Rolling pin
• Small sharp knife
• Flowerpaste, wires, stamens, poppy petal cutters, edible glue, petal dust, modelling tools, pliers, wire cutters, florists tape, and a petal veiner (if making sugar flowers)

Ingredients

• For the cake batter: flour, sugar, butter, eggs, sour cream, milk, baking powder, baking soda, and flavourings such as vanilla extract, lemon zest, orange zest, or cocoa powder.
• For the frosting/buttercream: butter, confectioners' sugar, milk or cream, and flavourings such as vanilla extract.
• For the filling: lemon curd, jam, chocolate mousse, vanilla custard, Bavarian cream, whipped cream, or pastry cream.
• For decorations: fresh flowers, cake toppers, ribbon, sprinkles, artificial flowers, or edible flowers.

Bake the cakes

Baking a wedding cake is a fun and rewarding experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Here are the steps you need to follow to bake a wedding cake successfully:

Choose a recipe

Select a recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes, as it will ensure that your cake is sturdy enough and that you make the right amount of batter and icing. Consider the size of your guest list and choose a recipe that will yield enough cake for everyone. For a three-tier cake, you will typically need to bake three cakes of different sizes, such as 12", 9", and 6".

Gather your ingredients and tools

Make sure you have all the ingredients for your chosen recipe, including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder, and any flavourings or fillings you plan to use. Additionally, assemble the necessary tools and equipment, such as cake pans in the required sizes (usually 3" tall), parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cardboard cake boards, a stand mixer, and any other tools specified in your recipe.

Prepare your pans

Line your cake pans with parchment paper and grease them with baking spray or butter. This will ensure that your cakes don't stick to the pans and make it easier to remove them once they are baked.

Mix and bake your cakes

Follow your recipe's instructions for mixing the batter. Pay attention to details such as creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, adding eggs one at a time, and gradually incorporating the dry ingredients. Once your batter is ready, pour it into your prepared pans and bake according to the recipe's instructions. Be sure to allow enough time for your cakes to cool completely before moving on to the next step.

Level your cakes

Use a levelling tool or a large serrated knife to create a flat, even surface on the top of each cake layer. This step is important to ensure that your tiers stack neatly and create a stable structure.

Storage

If you are baking your wedding cake ahead of time, it is important to store it properly. Wrap each layer in plastic wrap and aluminium foil and store it in a cool, dry place. You can also freeze your cakes if you are baking them well in advance. Just make sure to thaw them completely before decorating.

Prepare the frosting

Preparing the frosting for a wedding cake is a crucial step in the cake-making process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect frosting for your wedding cake:

Choose your frosting type:

First, decide on the type of frosting you want to use. Popular options include buttercream, Italian meringue buttercream, American buttercream, French buttercream, and fondant. Consider the flavour, consistency, and how well it will hold up in different conditions, such as heat and humidity.

Gather your ingredients:

The ingredients you need will depend on the frosting type you choose. For example, if you opt for a basic buttercream frosting, you will need unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream. On the other hand, Italian meringue buttercream requires egg whites and sugar to create a meringue base. Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients before you begin.

Prepare your workspace:

Before you start making the frosting, ensure your workspace is clean and organised. You will need a stand mixer or hand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, bowls, spatulas, and any other tools specified in your chosen recipe.

Mix the ingredients:

Follow your chosen recipe's instructions for mixing the ingredients. For example, if making buttercream, start by creaming the butter until it is smooth and fluffy. Then, gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream, until you achieve the desired consistency. Mix until light and fluffy, ensuring you scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Adjust the consistency:

The consistency of your frosting is crucial for achieving a smooth and professional finish. If your frosting is too thick, thin it out with a small amount of water or additional liquid, such as milk. If it is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired thickness.

Colour and flavour enhancements:

If you wish to add colour or flavour to your frosting, this is the time to do so. For colour, use gel food colouring, as liquid food colouring can alter the consistency of your frosting. Add a small amount of colouring at a time, mixing well, until you achieve the desired shade. For flavour, consider adding extracts such as vanilla, almond, or lemon.

Final adjustments:

Once your frosting is mixed, give it a final taste to ensure it meets your expectations. Adjust the sweetness, flavour, or consistency as needed. Remember, it is better to have slightly more frosting than you need, so don't be afraid to add a little extra to ensure you have enough to work with when decorating the cake.

Now that your frosting is ready, you can begin the process of assembling and decorating your wedding cake!

Assemble the tiers

Now that you have baked and levelled your cakes, it's time to assemble the tiers. For a three-tier cake, you will need to assemble each tier separately before stacking them together. Here are the steps to assemble each tier:

• Place one layer of cake on a cardboard cake board. This will serve as the base of your tier.
• Spread a layer of frosting on top of the cake layer. You can use a buttercream, ganache, or any other frosting of your choice.
• If you are filling your cake, create a buttercream dam around the perimeter of the layer. This will prevent the filling from leaking out.
• Spoon your chosen filling into the centre of the cake. This could be jam, lemon curd, chocolate mousse, or any other filling you prefer.
• Place the second layer of cake on top, ensuring that the bottom of the cake is facing upwards to create a flat edge.
• Apply a crumb coat to the assembled tier. This is a thin layer of frosting that will catch any crumbs and create a neat base for the final coat.
• Chill the assembled tier in the refrigerator for about 15 to 30 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.
• Repeat the above steps for each tier, placing the assembled tiers in the refrigerator while you work on the next one.

Once all the tiers are assembled and chilled, you can begin stacking them to create the final wedding cake. Here are the steps for stacking the tiers:

• Place the bottom tier on a cake drum or a large platter.
• Insert cake dowels into the bottom tier to provide support for the tiers above. You will need four or five dowels, spaced evenly apart in a triangle formation. Cut the dowels to match the height of the bottom tier so that they are flush with the surface.
• Place a wax paper round on top of the bottom tier, slightly smaller than the size of the next tier. This will help you position the next tier accurately.
• Carefully place the middle tier on top of the bottom tier, ensuring that it is centred.
• Repeat the dowel process for the middle tier, inserting dowels through the middle tier and into the bottom tier for added support.
• Place another wax paper round on top of the middle tier and position the top tier.
• You can add a central dowel through all the tiers for extra stability, especially if transporting the cake.
• Once the tiers are stacked, you can apply the final coat of frosting to the entire cake.
• Decorate the cake with fresh flowers, ribbons, sprinkles, or any other desired embellishments.

Frequently asked questions