Assembling A Grand Pillar Wedding Cake

Assembling a 3-tier wedding cake with pillars is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure stability and an elegant final presentation. The process involves several steps, including preparing the individual cake tiers, creating a sturdy internal structure, and stacking the tiers securely. Here's a brief overview of the process to give you an idea of what's involved.

Use pillars and plates to separate the tiers

To assemble a 3-tier wedding cake with pillars, you will need to use separator plates and pillars. These are required for cakes stacked on pillars, and they help to create a stable cake support structure. Each tier will typically require 4 pillars, so for a 3-tier cake, you will need 2 sets of pillars. Separator plates serve the same purpose as cake boards but have special knobs underneath to secure the pillars.

Step 1: Prepare the Cakes and Plates

Before you begin stacking, ensure your cakes are completely cooled and chilled. Place each tier on a separator plate that is either the same diameter as the cake or slightly larger. If you plan to pipe a large border, the separator plate should be at least half an inch larger than the cake diameter.

Step 2: Mark the Pillar Points

Start with the base cake. Place the separator plate of the next tier above on the base cake, gently pressing it down to mark where the pillars will go. Make sure the plate is centred and do not exert too much pressure, or you will spoil the icing.

Step 3: Insert the Pillars

Remove the separator plate and set it aside. On the base cake, where you have marked for the pillars, poke each pillar until you can feel them touching the cake board.

Step 4: Stack the Cake Layers

Once all the pillars are securely poked into the cake, stack the next tier on the pillars. Ensure that the pillars are well secured to the knobs underneath the separator plate of the tier above. Repeat this process until all cakes are securely stacked on the pillars.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to assemble the cake onsite, especially if transportation is required. This reduces the risk of the cake toppling during travel.
• When purchasing plates and pillars, ensure that the pillars can fit securely into the knobs of the separator plates. Otherwise, the cake structure will not be stable.
• For extra stability, you can use a long dowel rod through the centre of the cake. This is not necessary for pillared cakes but can provide additional support.

Use a centre dowel to hold the tiers together

To assemble a 3-tier wedding cake with pillars, you will need to use a centre dowel to hold the tiers together. This is necessary for the overall stability of the cake and to prevent the tiers from sliding off during transportation or any movement to the cake table.

Step 1: Place the bottom tier of the cake onto a cake drum or thick cake board. The cake drum provides extra support for your wedding cake.

Step 2: Insert one wooden cake dowel into the centre of the bottom tier. This will serve as your centre dowel.

Step 3: Mark the height of the centre dowel. Grab a cake decorating pen and mark where the centre dowel reaches the top of the bottom tier.

Step 4: Remove the centre dowel and cut it. Use a serrated knife to score the dowel so that it snaps cleanly at the marked height.

Step 5: Re-insert the centre dowel. Ensure that the dowel does not sit above the top of the bottom tier, as this will prevent the upper tiers from sitting evenly.

Step 6: Repeat the process for each additional tier. As you add each upper tier, insert the centre dowel into the centre of the tier and press down until it touches the cake board below.

Step 7: Secure the tiers. Once all the tiers are stacked, carefully insert the centre dowel through the top tier, ensuring it goes through the centre of each cake tier and reaches the bottom cake board.

By following these steps, you will create a stable structure for your 3-tier wedding cake, preventing it from toppling or sliding during transportation or display.

Use bubble tea straws or dowel rods to support the weight of the cake

To assemble a 3-tier wedding cake with pillars, you'll need to use bubble tea straws or dowel rods to support the weight of the cake and prevent the bottom tiers from compressing under the weight of the top tiers.

Bubble tea straws are the fat straws used for drinking bubble tea and come in a variety of colours. They are usually made of plastic and are very sturdy, providing good support for stacked cakes. They are also much easier to cut than wooden or plastic dowel rods. When using bubble tea straws, ensure that you use plenty and that they are cut to match the height of each cake tier.

Dowel rods, on the other hand, are long and thin wooden rods that are widely available in craft and baking specialty shops. Plastic cake rods function in the same way as wooden dowels. When using dowel rods, you will need to insert one long rod through all the cake tiers from the top down to the bottom tier to hold them in place during transportation or any movement.

For a 3-tier cake, you will need to insert at least four straws or dowels into each cake tier, except for the topmost one. These should be placed in a circular pattern within the diameter of the tier above, about 2 to 3 inches apart. This will ensure that they are not visible once the next tier is placed on top.

To assemble your 3-tier wedding cake with pillars, follow these steps:

• Place each tier on a cake board. The base cake tier should be placed on a base cake board that is a few inches larger than the diameter of the cake. The rest of the tiers can be placed on cardboard circles with a hole in the centre.
• Insert a straw or dowel rod into the base cake tier towards the centre but not in the centre itself. Press it down until it touches the cake board and mark the height of the cake.
• Remove the straw or dowel and cut it at the marking. Use this to cut a few more to the same length.
• Poke the cut straws or dowels into the base cake tier in a circular pattern, leaving a gap of 2 to 3 inches between them.
• Repeat steps 2 to 4 for all cake layers except for the topmost one.
• Stack the tiers on top of each other.
• Secure the cake with a long dowel rod in the centre. Sharpen one end of the dowel and poke it through the centre of all the layers until it touches the bottom cake board. If you want to leave the top of the cake plain, cut the dowel so that it stops a few inches short of the full height of the cake.

Assemble the cake on-site

Assembling a three-tier wedding cake on-site is a common practice, especially for larger cakes, as it reduces the risk of damage during transportation. Here is a step-by-step guide for assembling a three-tier wedding cake with pillars on-site:

• Prepare the cake tiers: Ensure that your cake tiers are completely chilled or frozen before transport. This will help to protect the cake from any minor bumps during the journey. Each tier should be placed on its own cardboard cake circle or separator plate, depending on your preferred method. The cake circles/plates should be the same diameter as the cake tier they are supporting.
• Transport the cake tiers: Box each cake tier separately and transport them to the venue. It is recommended to use rigid cake boxes that fit the cake tiers snugly to minimise movement during transport. Bring all your tools, extra frosting, and any decorations with you to the venue.
• Set up your workspace: Upon arrival at the venue, set up your workspace close to where the cake will be displayed. Unbox the cake tiers and allow them to come to room temperature gradually. If the cake tiers are frozen, they should be thawed before assembly.
• Prepare the pillars and plates: If using separator plates and pillars, ensure that the pillars can fit securely into the knobs on the underside of the plates. Mark the placement of the pillars on the bottom tier by gently pressing the separator plate of the next tier onto the iced cake, leaving marks to guide pillar placement.
• Assemble the cake: Place each tier on its respective separator plate, securing it with icing. Position the push-in pillars at the marked points and insert them into the tiers until they touch the cake board. Start with the tier above the base tier and place the feet of the separator plate onto the pillar openings. Continue adding tiers in the same manner until the entire cake is assembled.
• Final touches: Once the cake is stacked, you can add any final touches, such as fresh flowers, extra frosting to smooth out any imperfections, or dusted gold powder around the edges. It is recommended to bring a helper with you to assist with the assembly and hold tools or decorations as needed.

Use a cake drum for the bottom tier

To assemble a 3-tier wedding cake with pillars, you'll need to use a cake drum for the bottom tier to support the entire weight of the cake. The cake drum is thicker and sturdier than a cake board, which is important for supporting the weight of the cake above.

The cake drum should be a few inches larger than the bottom tier cake. For example, if you're making a 12-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch tiered cake, you'll need a 12-inch cake drum for the bottom tier. The cake drum will provide a stable base for the entire cake structure.

Once you have your cake drum, you can place your bottom tier cake on it. If your cake has multiple layers, you may need to use dowels or bubble tea straws to provide internal support and prevent the layers from sliding or shifting. These can be inserted into the cake before placing it on the drum.

After the bottom tier is secured on the drum, you can begin assembling the rest of the cake by adding the pillars and separator plates or cake boards for the next tier. Remember to handle the cake carefully and transport it with caution, especially if you're moving it to a different location.

Frequently asked questions