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

Building a wedding cake is a fun and exciting task, but it can also be nerve-wracking and time-consuming. The process involves planning, baking, assembling, and decorating the cake. Timing is crucial, and it is essential to start early, allowing enough time to gather equipment, find a suitable recipe, and practice baking and decorating techniques. It is recommended to use a recipe specifically designed for a wedding cake to ensure it is sturdy and yields the right amount of batter and icing. For a tiered cake, multiple cakes of different sizes need to be baked and assembled carefully. The cake can be decorated with flowers, toppers, or royal icing, and it is important to plan and practice decorations in advance. Assembling the cake tiers requires careful stacking and the use of dowels or straws for support. Transporting the cake to the wedding venue is another important consideration, and it should be delivered chilled and on a flat, level surface.

Choosing a recipe and practising

A good recipe is essential, and it is advisable to use one specifically designed for wedding cakes to ensure it is sturdy and makes the right amount of batter and icing. The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book is recommended, as it includes instructions, a timeline, equipment, and pictures. It is also important to consider the size of the cake and the number of guests it needs to serve. Practice baking and assembly, as well as freezing, thawing, and decorating.

When choosing a recipe, consider the flavour, the type of cake (such as sponge or fruit cake), and the icing (such as buttercream, ganache, or fondant). Practice your icing skills and decorations, such as flowers, toppers, or royal icing shapes, on test cakes. This will help you get an idea of how you want the final cake to look and ensure you are confident in your technique.

Additionally, it is important to have the proper equipment, such as quality pans, parchment paper, cake boards, a stand mixer, and frosting bags and tips. Practising with the equipment will help ensure that you are familiar with the tools and can assemble the cake smoothly on the wedding day.

Buying equipment and ingredients

The equipment and ingredients you will need will depend on the type of cake you are making, the number of tiers, and the number of guests. For example, a three-tier cake will require three cakes of 12", 9", and 6" in diameter, while a two-tier cake will only need two cakes. You will also need to consider the height of each tier, with most recipes calling for cakes that are 2" or 3" tall.

• Quality aluminium pans (sheet & rounds) in the appropriate sizes. These can often be found at restaurant supply stores and are usually fairly inexpensive.
• Parchment paper, including pre-cut rounds to line the pans.
• Cake boards, including a larger one to serve the cake on and smaller ones for each tier.
• Industrial-sized plastic wrap for storing and transporting the cake.
• A cake-decorating stand or turntable, which can make it easier to frost and assemble the cake.
• Frosting bags and tips for decorating the cake.
• A large serrated knife for levelling and torting the cakes.
• Thick plastic drinking straws or wooden dowels for supporting the weight of the tiers.
• High-quality ingredients for the cake batter and frosting, including flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and any flavourings or fillings.

It is important to read through your recipe carefully and make a list of all the required ingredients and equipment before you start baking. This will ensure that you have everything you need and don't run into any last-minute problems. It is also a good idea to practice using your equipment and making the cake ahead of time, especially if you are not an experienced baker.

Baking, assembling and decorating

Baking a wedding cake is a long process, so it's important to start early. You'll need to decide on a recipe, source the ingredients, and get the right equipment. You'll also want to practice your baking, assembly, and decorating skills.

For a three-tier cake, you'll need to bake three cakes of 12", 9", and 6". It's important to allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling. You can also bake the cakes ahead of time and freeze them.

To assemble the cake, you'll need to stack the tiers carefully. You may want to use wooden dowels or thick straws to support the weight of the upper tiers and prevent the cake from collapsing. Fill in any gaps between the tiers with frosting.

When it comes to decorating, the possibilities are endless. You can use fresh flowers, sugar flowers, silk flowers, or royal icing to decorate your cake. You can also use fondant to cover the cake and create a smooth, clean surface. Don't be afraid to get creative and make the cake your own!

• Practice baking and decorating before the big day.
• Use high-quality ingredients and equipment.
• Plan your timeline carefully, including time for baking, assembly, and decoration.
• Transport the cake safely and store it in a cool place until it's time to serve.
• If using fresh flowers, order them from a florist in advance.

Transporting the cake

Transporting a wedding cake is a delicate task. Here are some tips to ensure your cake arrives safely and securely:

Planning and Preparation:

Firstly, it is crucial to plan and prepare for transporting your cake. Allow ample time to arrange transportation details and consider the following factors:

• Distance and Travel Conditions: Consider the distance between the baking location and the venue. If it is a long distance or involves challenging travel conditions, such as bumpy roads, plan accordingly to minimise potential damage.
• Weather Conditions: Take the weather into account. If it is hot and humid, like in the example of an outdoor wedding in Missouri, you will need to take extra precautions to prevent the cake from melting or sweating.
• Vehicle: Ensure you have a suitable vehicle for transporting the cake. It should be clean, spacious, and well-air-conditioned to maintain a cool temperature.
• Timing: Plan to deliver the cake as close to the event as possible. Cakes should not be left in a warm room for an extended period, as this can cause drooping and sagging. Aim for 1-2 hours before the ceremony.

Packing and Securing the Cake:

Now, let's move on to packing and securing the cake for transport:

• Cake Boxes and Containers: Use sturdy cake boxes or containers to protect the cake during transport. Ensure they are clean and lined with tissue paper or bubble wrap for extra cushioning.
• Refrigeration: Keep the cake refrigerated until the last possible moment before transport. This helps to prevent melting and sweating, especially in warm weather.
• Assembly: If possible, assemble the cake tiers and add final decorations at the venue to reduce the risk of damage during transport.
• Stacking and Support: For a tiered cake, use wooden dowels or thick straws to provide support and stability during transport. Place each tier on a separate cake board, and stack them carefully, filling any gaps with frosting.
• Separation: If you need to transport the cake in separate tiers, wrap each tier securely in plastic wrap and place them in individual boxes or containers.
• Flat Surface: Always transport the cake on a flat, level surface. Do not hold it on your lap, as it is challenging to keep the cake level, and body heat can warm the cake.
• Safe Placement: Place the cake in a secure area of the vehicle, preferably on the floor or a flat surface in the back seat. Avoid placing it on seats that can recline or in the boot, where it may slide or tip over.

Final Checks and Delivery:

You're almost ready to go! Here are the final steps:

• Final Inspection: Before leaving, do a final inspection of the cake. Ensure it is stable, securely packed, and there are no loose decorations or frosting that could melt or shift during transport.
• Slow and Steady Driving: Drive slowly and carefully to avoid sudden movements or vibrations that could damage the cake. If possible, ask someone to accompany you to monitor the cake and make any necessary adjustments.
• Unloading: When you arrive at the venue, carefully unload the cake and bring it to the designated area. Unpack it and make any final touches, such as adding fresh flowers or assembling the tiers if you haven't already done so.

By following these detailed instructions, you can confidently transport your wedding cake, ensuring it arrives safely and looks stunning at the event.

Storing the cake

Storing your wedding cake tiers is a crucial step in the cake-making process. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for storing your cake:

Chilling and Refrigeration

It is important to keep your cake tiers chilled to maintain their shape and stability. Use a refrigerator to chill your cake tiers, aiming for a temperature that is not too cold to prevent condensation. Condensation is not harmful to the cake, but it can affect the appearance of fondant or buttercream. To reduce condensation, use a cardboard box to store the cake in the fridge, as this will absorb any moisture. Alternatively, direct a fan towards the cake to speed up the evaporation of water on its surface. Do not touch or attempt to fix the cake while it is sweating.

Timing

Plan your cake-making process to allow for adequate chilling time. Ideally, assemble and decorate the cake the day before the wedding to reduce last-minute stress. This will also give the buttercream or fondant enough time to set, making transportation safer and cleaner. If you are short on cold storage space, consider assembling the cake at the venue, but allow yourself at least an hour to do so.

Transport

Transporting a wedding cake can be stressful, so it is crucial to keep the cake well-chilled and deliver it in a cold, air-conditioned vehicle. Use a cake safe or a homemade delivery box to protect the cake during transport and prevent it from falling over. Avoid holding the cake on your lap, as it is challenging to keep it level, and body heat can warm up the cake. Aim to deliver the cake one to two hours before the ceremony. Leaving the cake for too long in a warm room can cause it to droop and sag.

Frequently asked questions