Heart-Shaped Wedding Cake: Decorating Tips For Beginners

Heart-shaped wedding cakes are a popular choice for couples, with their vintage look and romantic associations. The nostalgic, playful design is particularly well-suited to old-school affairs or weddings with a Valentine's Day theme.

There are many ways to decorate a heart-shaped wedding cake, from intricate Lambeth-style piping to a simple, minimalist design. The cake can be a single tier or multiple tiers, and can be embellished with bows, pearls, fresh flowers, or a dusting of edible sparkles.

For a bold statement, opt for a colourful cake, or embrace the traditional all-white confection. You can also add a custom message, such as Just Married or your wedding date.

Whatever design you choose, a heart-shaped wedding cake is sure to be a show-stopping addition to your special day.

Using a heart-shaped cake tin or carving the cake into a heart shape

Using a Heart-Shaped Cake Tin

If you're baking the cake yourself, using a heart-shaped cake tin is a straightforward way to achieve the desired shape. Here's what you need to know:

• You can find heart-shaped cake tins in various sizes, so choose one that fits your desired cake size. Standard sizes include 8-inch and 6-inch tins, but you can also find larger or smaller ones.
• Prepare your cake batter as you normally would, following your favourite recipe or a trusted recipe from a reliable source.
• Grease the heart-shaped cake tin with butter or non-stick baking spray to ensure the cake doesn't stick. You can also line the tin with parchment paper for extra protection.
• Pour the batter into the tin, making sure to fill it evenly and not overfill it.
• Bake the cake according to your recipe's instructions, keeping in mind that baking times may vary slightly depending on the shape of the tin.
• Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the tin. You can even place it in the freezer for a faster cooling process.

Carving the Cake into a Heart Shape

If you don't have a heart-shaped cake tin, don't worry! You can still create a heart-shaped cake by carving a round cake. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Bake a round cake in a standard round cake pan. It's best to use an 8-inch or 9-inch pan for this method.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before attempting to carve it.
• Place the cake on a cutting board and use a serrated knife to cut out the heart shape. Start by cutting the cake in half, then trim the two halves into the shape of a heart.
• Use the curved pieces you cut off to form the top of the heart. You can attach them to the main cake with a little buttercream or frosting.
• Once you're happy with the heart shape, you can start decorating your cake.

Whether you use a heart-shaped cake tin or carve the cake yourself, there are endless possibilities for decoration. You can go for a simple and elegant look with smooth buttercream or elaborate piping designs. Fresh flowers, cherries, and bows are also popular choices for heart-shaped wedding cakes. Don't be afraid to get creative and incorporate your personality into the design!

Piping techniques, such as Lambeth-style piping

Lambeth-style piping is a highly skilled and admired technique in cake decoration, often used for very special occasions such as weddings. The method dates back to the 1930s and is named after Joseph Lambeth, who popularised the style in his 1934 book, 'The Lambeth Method of Cake Decoration & Practical Pastries'.

The Lambeth method uses a royal icing over-piping technique to create intricate depth and layering. Overpiping involves creating rows of intricate piped details, scrolls and garlands, one on top of the other, to give impressive depth to the decoration. The technique is also referred to as 'overpiping' due to the overlapping scrolls, details and garlands.

To pipe a Lambeth cake, you will need a variety of different shaped piping tips (or piping nozzles). An open star tip is great for creating the signature Lambeth cake swirls and shell shapes, while a petal tip is perfect for ruffles and garlands. You might also want to use a flower tip and a leaf tip to create floral designs.

Once you have the right equipment, it's a case of practising your technique. Consistency is key, so don't expect to be an expert right away. Take your time and let any initial layers of royal icing set before moving on.

• Mix vanilla frosting with pink colouring and beat until the frosting has a silk consistency.
• Cover your cake with the pink icing and smooth over the edges using a scraper, applying extra pressure where the heart meets the middle to ensure a defined heart shape.
• Mix vanilla frosting with lavender colouring to create a pastel purple for piping.
• Using an open star nozzle tip, pipe the top and bottom frills.
• Mark out where your draped frills will sit using a cutter or other round tool.
• Using a fine tooth open star nozzle, pipe the draped frills and the inner piping on top of the cake.
• Decorate with cherries, sprinkles, or any other decorative pieces.

Choosing a colour scheme and decorations

Colour Scheme

When selecting a colour scheme for your heart-shaped wedding cake, you can draw inspiration from your wedding colours, or choose something that reflects the theme and style of your wedding. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Monochromatic: A single-colour cake, such as an all-white confection, can be elegant and sophisticated. You can also play with different shades of the same colour to create a cohesive and stylish look.
• Complementary Colours: Choose a colour scheme that complements your wedding colours. For example, if your wedding palette includes pink as a primary hue, a heart-shaped cake covered in pink icing with white details can be a romantic choice.
• Bold and Bright: Don't be afraid to go bold! A colourful heart-shaped cake will stand out and make a lasting impression. If your wedding has a boisterous colour palette, consider a technicolour cake that mixes multiple bright colours.
• Vintage-Inspired: If you're having a vintage-style wedding, consider a heart-shaped cake with a nostalgic colour scheme. Pastel colours, such as soft pinks, mint greens, and light yellows, can evoke a whimsical and retro feel.
• Moody Hues: For an edgy or gothic wedding, try a darker colour palette for your cake. A black-and-white confection, for example, can be both elegant and dramatic.

Decorations

When it comes to decorations for your heart-shaped wedding cake, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

• Piped Details: Lambeth-style piping is a popular choice for heart-shaped cakes, adding intricate and vintage-inspired details. Consider using overpiping techniques to create scallops, dots, and swirls of icing along the border of the cake. You can also pipe flowers, leaves, or other designs that complement your wedding theme.
• Cherries: Maraschino cherries are a classic decoration for heart-shaped cakes. They add a pop of colour and reinforce the nostalgic, whimsical feel of the cake.
• Fresh Flowers: Fresh blooms can be a beautiful addition to your heart-shaped cake. Choose flowers that are in season, such as garden roses for a summer wedding or sunflowers for a fall celebration.
• Initials and Phrases: Monogramming the cake with your and your partner's initials is a meaningful way to personalise the dessert. You can also include a short phrase or quote that reflects your relationship, such as "Just Married" or "Til Death Do Us Part."
• Sparkles and Pearls: For a touch of glamour, add some edible sparkles or pearlescent accents to your cake. These decorations can be especially eye-catching when paired with a simple colour scheme.
• Bows: For a soft and delicate touch, adorn your cake with bows made from satin ribbons. This detail can be perfect for a glamorous or vintage-inspired wedding.

Adding a custom message or monogram

Choose a Monogram

Monogramming the cake with the couple's joint initials is a popular choice, especially on the top tier, as it represents the union of two people. You can opt for a simple monogram with the couple's first initials or include both first and last initials for a more elaborate design.

Custom Message Ideas

• "Just Married" is a classic option, often chosen for its simplicity and traditional appeal.
• Include the couple's wedding date for a unique and personalised touch.
• A favourite love quote or a special phrase that the couple often uses can add a romantic and personal flair.
• For a light-hearted and conversational feel, consider a fun message like "Married AF".
• For edgy couples or gothic-themed weddings, a phrase like "'Til death do us part" in black icing adds a moody touch.

Design Tips

• Heart-shaped wedding cakes have more surface area on the top tier, providing ample space for custom messages or monograms.
• Opt for hand-piped monograms or messages to add a delicate and personalised touch.
• If you want to include a longer message or quote, consider using block letters for a modern look.
• For a glamorous or elegant affair, you can use ribbons with a satin finish to create a border around the cake, tying in with the custom message.

Remember, the design of your heart-shaped wedding cake can be as creative and unique as you want, so feel free to incorporate any combination of colours, tiers, and decorative elements to make it truly yours!

Serving suggestions, e.g. as part of a dessert bar

Heart-shaped wedding cakes are a playful and nostalgic design, perfect for old-school affairs or for anyone who wants to add a touch of sentimentality to their celebration. The cakes are usually single-tiered confections embellished with Lambeth piping, producing a vintage-inspired look reminiscent of the 18th century.

The Main Attraction

The heart-shaped cake can be the centrepiece of your dessert bar, with other desserts complementing the main attraction. This could be a simple arrangement of matching cupcakes or cookies, or a more elaborate display of treats in the same colour scheme as the cake.

A Bountiful Spread

Why stop at one heart-shaped cake when you can have several? A collection of single-tier heart-shaped cakes will ensure there are enough slices to go around and will create a stunning display on your dessert table.

A Nostalgic Cupcake Dessert Bar

If you're a fan of the vintage style, a heart-shaped cake with intricate Lambeth piping will be a perfect fit. You can continue the retro theme with a nostalgic cupcake dessert bar, offering cupcakes in vibrant hues, such as pink and red, surrounded by white linens and simple cake stands.

A Whimsical Dessert Display

For a fun and whimsical take, consider a playful balloon dessert display. The balloon backdrop adds a touch of whimsy, while clean lines and classic brushed-gold shelves flanking the table bring a traditional feel. Add your heart-shaped cake as the centrepiece, and you've got a golden dessert bar!

A Romantic Pink Dessert Bar

If you're looking to create a romantic atmosphere, a heart-shaped cake is a perfect choice. You can enhance this theme by coordinating your dessert bar with your main wedding colour, such as pink. From pastel pink icing to pink wrapping and garnishes, this colour scheme will bring a harmonious and romantic feel to your dessert bar.

With these suggestions, your heart-shaped wedding cake is sure to be a stunning and memorable part of your dessert bar!

Frequently asked questions