Baking A Nigerian Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Nigerian wedding cakes are renowned for their cultural richness and splendour, with the wedding cake acting as a symbol of prosperity, fertility, and celebration. The cakes are often grand in design, reflecting the couple's personality and style. In this article, we will explore the history of Nigerian wedding cakes, their cultural significance, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to bake a classic Nigerian wedding cake, including the ingredients, tools, and methods required.

Choosing the right ingredients

Flour: The type of flour you use is crucial. Opt for plain or all-purpose flour to ensure the cake's success. Using self-rising flour can be unpredictable due to the unknown amount of leavening agent added. If you prefer to use cake flour, you can substitute it for the plain flour and cornflour/starch mixture.

Butter: For those baking in Nigeria, use baking butter, not margarine. If you're in the US, measure out the required amount of butter as sticks, and make sure to bring it to room temperature before using. This will ensure it's soft enough for the creaming process.

Sugar: Granulated sugar is the traditional choice for Nigerian wedding cakes, but you can also use brown sugar. If you think your granulated sugar is too coarse, you can grind it with a dry mill to reduce the grain size and speed up the creaming process.

Flavour: Vanilla extract is commonly used in wedding cakes to add a subtle vanilla flavour. If you prefer a different flavour, such as butterscotch, you can replace the vanilla with your desired option.

Dry Fruits: If you want to include dry fruits like raisins, soak them in brandy for at least a week, or up to a month for wedding cakes. This step not only enhances the flavour but also acts as a preservative, ensuring your cake stays fresh for longer.

Brandy: Adding brandy to your cake batter is essential, especially if you plan to keep your wedding cake at room temperature while decorating it. With all the eggs in the cake, it can spoil before the event without a preservative. However, be careful not to add too much brandy to avoid an overpowering taste.

Eggs: Ensure your eggs are at room temperature before using them. This will help them incorporate better into your batter.

Milk: Use whole milk or evaporated milk to add creaminess to your batter.

Local Flavours: To give your cake an authentic Nigerian taste, consider incorporating local ingredients such as coconut, groundnuts (peanuts), and various spices.

Remember to gather all your ingredients before starting and to follow a trusted Nigerian wedding cake recipe for the best results.

Preparing your tools

Before you start baking your Nigerian wedding cake, you need to ensure you have the right tools for the job. Here is a list of the essential tools you will need:

• Oven: An oven with top and bottom heating capabilities is best for baking a Nigerian wedding cake.
• Cake mixer: This appliance will be used to cream the butter and sugar, and mix the other ingredients.
• Kitchen scale: Weighing your ingredients accurately is crucial for a successful bake.
• Cake pan: Use a 10-inch diameter and 2.5-inch deep cake pan for the perfect Nigerian wedding cake.

It is also important to have clean and dry utensils and appliances before you begin. Check that you have all the ingredients you need, and if you are using a printed recipe, keep it close at hand.

If you are using butter, ensure it is at room temperature. Take it out of the fridge well in advance, especially if you live in a cold climate. This will ensure the butter is soft enough for the creaming process.

If you are using granulated sugar and find the grains too coarse, you can grind it with a dry mill to reduce the size of the grains. This will also reduce the creaming time.

Finally, if you are adding dried fruit to your cake, remember to soak it in brandy beforehand. This step is particularly important for wedding cakes, as it helps to preserve the cake. Soak the dried fruit for at least one week, and up to a month, before adding it to your batter.

Mixing the batter

Now that you have prepared your baking pan and whisked your eggs, it's time to mix the batter.

Firstly, cream the butter and sugar. Place the softened butter and granulated sugar into your mixer and cream until the mixture is much whiter than the butter you started with, softer, and you can barely feel the sugar. Depending on the size of the grains of your sugar, this could take up to an hour.

Next, add the eggs to the creamed butter and sugar. If your mixer is big enough, add the whisked eggs to the mixture and blend until smooth and fluffy. If not, transfer the butter and sugar to a bigger bowl and use a hand mixer to combine.

Now, add the vanilla extract, brandy, and pre-soaked dried fruits (if using). Stir with a wooden spatula until everything is well incorporated. If you are making a wedding cake, add some browning at this stage to give the cake its distinctive dark colour.

Finally, add the flour and baking powder. Put the mix into a sieve or flour sifter and add small quantities of the flour to the bowl, stirring very well with a wooden spatula in between each addition. Keep going until all the flour is incorporated. This step can be a bit of an arm workout, so be prepared! It is important to add the flour in its finest powder form to ensure a very smooth cake mix.

Baking the cake

Firstly, you'll need to gather your ingredients and tools. For a classic Nigerian wedding cake, you'll need plain or all-purpose flour, corn flour, baking powder, butter, granulated sugar, evaporated milk, lemon juice, butter scotch flavour, and vanilla flavour. You'll also need a cake pan (10 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches deep), an oven with top and bottom heating capabilities, a cake mixer, and a kitchen scale.

Before you start, make sure all your utensils and appliances are clean and dry, and that you have all the ingredients you need. It's also important to bring the eggs and butter to room temperature before you begin, so take them out of the fridge well in advance.

Now, let's get started!

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Pan

Rub butter inside the pan, pour some flour into the greased pan, shake it so that the flour coats the inside of the pan, and then pour out the excess flour. Set the pan aside.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

Mix the lemon juice and milk in a separate bowl and set aside. In another bowl, cream the butter scotch, butter, vanilla flavour, and sugar for 1 minute. Add the eggs, two at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add the milk and lemon juice mixture and combine.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, corn flour, and baking powder. Sift the flour mixture and gradually fold it into the wet ingredients using a spatula.

Step 4: Add Colouring (Optional)

If you want the traditional brown colour for your wedding cake, add some browning to the batter and mix until the colour is well combined.

Step 5: Pour the Batter into the Pan

Once all the ingredients are well incorporated, pour the batter into the prepared cake pan.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Preheat your oven to 170 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the cake in the oven, making sure the rack is halfway between the top and bottom. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool and Decorate

Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before removing it from the pan. Allow it to cool completely before decorating. You can also cut it into desired sizes and store it in the freezer.

Your classic Nigerian wedding cake is now ready to be served or decorated as you wish!

Decorating the cake

Fondant Icing:

Fondant is a type of smooth icing that can be rolled out and draped over the cake. It gives the cake a polished and professional finish. Fondant is versatile and can be sculpted into various shapes and figures, making it perfect for creating intricate designs and patterns that represent the couple's heritage. It can also be used to cover multiple tiers smoothly and seamlessly.

Buttercream Frosting:

Buttercream is a versatile and easy-to-work-with frosting that can add texture and flavour to your cake. It can be piped into a variety of decorative designs, such as swirls, rosettes, or even intricate flowers, to enhance the overall aesthetic of the cake. Buttercream is a great option if you want to achieve a rustic or whimsical look for your wedding cake.

Edible Decorations:

Incorporate edible decorations such as chocolate shavings, fresh fruits, or edible flowers to add a delightful touch to both the appearance and flavour of the cake. Fresh flowers, for example, can be carefully placed on the cake to create a romantic and elegant design, while chocolate shavings can give a luxurious and indulgent feel.

Cultural Motifs and Symbols:

Adorn the cake with cultural motifs and symbols that reflect the couple's heritage and family traditions. For example, common designs include pillows, suitcases, coral beads, and gourds, especially in Igbo weddings. Each element, from the colours to the specific decorations, should add to the overall cultural significance of the cake design.

Colour Scheme:

Choose a colour scheme that complements the wedding theme and the couple's style. You can use coloured fondant, icing, or natural ingredients such as fruit or flower petals to achieve the desired colours. Consider the traditional wedding colours and how they can be incorporated into the cake design.

Tiered Cake Design:

If you're creating a multi-tiered cake, ensure that each tier has a distinct design element that ties the entire cake together. You can vary the shapes and sizes of the tiers to add visual interest. Additionally, consider adding height and dimension to the cake by using cake stands or separators between the tiers.

Remember, the key to decorating a Nigerian wedding cake is to blend traditional motifs with modern design techniques, resulting in a cake that is both culturally significant and visually stunning.

Frequently asked questions