Baking A Wedding Cake: A Homemade Guide

Baking a wedding cake at home is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. It is important to plan ahead, allowing time to do a practice run, and to make sure you have all the right equipment. You will need a recipe specifically designed to be a wedding cake, as it will ensure the cake is sturdy enough and that it makes the right amount of batter and icing. For a three-tier cake, you will need to make three cakes of 12, 9 and 6, as well as a large amount of icing. You will also need cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cardboard cake boards, non-flexible straws, a platter to serve the cake on, a pastry bag, and any desired decorations such as fresh flowers or cake toppers. The process is time-consuming, but the results are worth it!

Choosing a flavour

If you're making a wedding cake for a couple, it's important to consider their preferences and choose a flavour that they will both enjoy. You can also opt for a more neutral flavour, such as vanilla or chocolate, to please a variety of wedding guests.

• Vanilla: A classic choice that is often paired with buttercream frosting and can be easily customised with different fillings and flavourings.
• Carrot Cake: A delicious and unique option that can be paired with a cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.
• Red Velvet Cake: A vibrant and eye-catching choice that is often paired with cream cheese frosting.
• Lemon Cake: A refreshing and tangy option, especially when paired with a light and fluffy sponge.
• Marble Cake: A visually appealing option that combines vanilla and chocolate flavours in a swirled pattern.
• Chocolate Chip: A crowd-pleaser that adds a sweet and indulgent touch to the wedding cake.

When choosing a flavour, it's important to consider the overall theme and style of the wedding. For example, a rustic wedding might call for a simpler flavour profile, while a more extravagant affair could accommodate a unique or unusual flavour combination.

Additionally, the time of year and season can also influence your flavour choice. For instance, a light and fruity flavour might be more suitable for a summer wedding, while a rich and spicy option could be perfect for a winter celebration.

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavour combinations. You can also offer the couple a tasting session to help them decide on their favourite flavour. Ultimately, the flavour of the wedding cake should reflect the couple's personality and create a memorable experience for them and their guests.

Planning and timing

Planning:

Before you start baking, it's essential to have a clear plan and a timeline in place. Here are some key considerations:

• Cake Size and Servings: Determine the expected number of guests and the desired cake size. Calculate how many servings you need, considering the cake tier sizes. For example, a combination of 12-inch, 10-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch tiers can feed about 134 people.
• Recipe and Ingredients: Choose a recipe specifically designed for a wedding cake, ensuring it's sturdy and yields the required amount of batter and icing. Consider the flavour, such as vanilla, lemon, or chocolate, and create a list of all the ingredients needed.
• Tools and Supplies: Gather all the necessary tools and supplies, including cake pans of various sizes, parchment paper, cake boards, dowels or straws for support, a large serrated knife, a lazy Susan for decorating, and any desired decorations like fresh flowers or cake toppers.
• Practice and Testing: It's highly recommended to do a practice run and make a test cake ahead of time. This will help you refine your techniques, manage your time effectively, and identify any potential issues.

Timing:

Once you have a plan in place, it's time to focus on timing:

• Bake in Advance: Bake your cake layers in advance to reduce stress. Freshly baked cake layers can be frozen and properly wrapped to lock in moisture. This will also give you time to make any necessary adjustments.
• Make Frosting Ahead: Prepare your frosting or buttercream ahead of time as well. You'll need a substantial amount, and making it in advance ensures you have enough and allows for consistency in taste and texture.
• Assembly and Decoration: Plan a timeline for assembling and decorating the cake. This includes levelling and crumb-coating the cake layers, stacking the tiers, adding supports, and final decorations. Allow for refrigeration time in between these steps to set the crumb coat and frosting.
• Transportation and Display: Consider how you will transport the cake to the venue and ensure a suitable vehicle and cake box are available. Communicate with the venue about cake transport and refrigeration details. Plan to add fresh flowers or final decorations at the venue, ensuring they are secured and won't wilt.

Baking a wedding cake at home requires careful planning and timing. By following these instructions and allowing for sufficient time, you can create a beautiful and delicious wedding cake that will impress your guests.

Preparing the cake pans

Firstly, it is essential to line your round cake pans with parchment paper. This will ensure that your cakes are easily released from the pans once they are baked and cooled. Begin by lightly spraying the bottoms and sides of each pan with non-stick spray or greasing them with butter. Then, cut out parchment paper rounds that fit the bottom of your pans by tracing the bottom of the pan onto the parchment paper and cutting it out. Place these parchment paper rounds into the greased pans and grease them as well.

If you are making a tiered cake, you will need multiple cake pans in different sizes. For a three-tier cake, you will typically need three 12-inch, three 9-inch, and three 6-inch round cake pans. These pans should be at least 3 inches tall to accommodate the height of the cake layers. You can find these cake pans at craft stores or baking supply stores.

Before adding the batter, ensure that your pans are properly prepared. You can also use baker's floured cooking spray to prepare your pans. This spray combines flour with a light oil, creating a non-stick barrier that helps your cakes release easily from the pans.

Once your pans are lined and greased, they are ready for the batter. It is important to note that you should only fill your pans about halfway with batter to allow for proper rising and baking.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to successfully preparing your cake pans for baking a beautiful wedding cake.

Making the batter

To make the batter, you will need to gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. For a simple vanilla wedding cake, you will need basic ingredients such as sugar, cake flour, eggs, butter, milk, and flavourings like vanilla extract. You may also need additional ingredients for the frosting, such as cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar.

Once you have all the ingredients, it is important to ensure that they are at the right temperature. Room temperature ingredients are often recommended, so take out the butter, eggs, and milk from the refrigerator ahead of time.

Next, you will need to mix the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a mixing bowl. Mix them together until they are fully incorporated and there are no lumps.

After that, you can start incorporating the wet ingredients. Cut the butter into small chunks and slowly mix them into the dry mixture on low speed. Keep mixing until the mixture looks crumbly and there are no large chunks of butter.

Now, you can add the eggs. Beat them into the mixture one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and any other liquid flavourings.

The next step is to add the milk. Mix it in gradually, starting on low speed, until it is fully combined. At this point, you should also add any additional wet ingredients, such as sour cream or oil, if your recipe calls for them.

Finally, give the batter a good mix on medium speed for about 30 seconds to a minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is well combined.

And there you have it! Your wedding cake batter is now ready to be poured into the prepared cake pans and baked. Remember to follow the specific instructions and measurements provided by your chosen recipe for the best results.

Baking and assembling

Baking a wedding cake is a long process, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time. It's a good idea to do a practice run before the big day. You'll also need to make sure you have all the right equipment, including cake pans, a large serrated knife, cake boards, cake dowels or straws, and a lazy Susan for decorating.

Most wedding cakes are made up of three tiers of cake, in 12", 9", and 6" sizes. You'll need to bake each tier separately, and it's important to let the cakes cool completely before you start assembling them.

To assemble the cake, start by levelling off the cakes with a large serrated knife to create a flat surface. Then, using a cake board as a base, stack and fill the cake layers, adding a crumb coat of frosting between each layer. Place the cake in the fridge to help set the crumb coat.

Once the crumb coat is set, you can add the final layer of frosting. You can use a textured effect by using a small icing spatula and running it around the cake while spinning it on a cake turner. This will give your cake a beautiful ruffle effect.

If you're making a tiered cake, you'll need to add supports to each tier to ensure the cake is stable. You can use wooden dowels or plastic straws for this. Cut the dowels to match the height of the cake and insert them into the centre of the tier, spacing them about 2 inches apart to form a square.

To assemble the tiers, place the central dowel through the centre of the top tier and lower it onto the bottom tier. You can decorate the finished cake with fresh flowers, cake toppers, or other decorations.

Frequently asked questions