Elegant Wedding Cake Decorating With Cream Cheese Frosting

Decorating a wedding cake with cream cheese frosting is a great way to add a unique and delicious touch to your special day. Cream cheese frosting is known for its rich, creamy texture and tangy flavour, making it a perfect complement to a variety of cake flavours such as red velvet, carrot cake, or spice cake. While cream cheese frosting may not be as stable as traditional buttercream, there are several tips and tricks to ensure it holds up well for your wedding cake.

One important factor is to use full-fat, firm cream cheese for a more stable frosting. It's also crucial to bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing them together to ensure a smooth and lump-free consistency. Adding in flavourings like vanilla extract or fresh lemon juice can enhance the taste, while sifting and gradually adding the powdered sugar will create a smoother frosting. For piping and decorating, chill the frosting in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to help it hold its shape.

Additionally, consider using a crumb coat by applying a thin layer of frosting to trap crumbs before adding the final coat. This technique will give your wedding cake a smooth and professional finish. With proper preparation and storage, a wedding cake with cream cheese frosting will be a delicious and stunning centrepiece for your celebration.

Choosing the right cream cheese

• Opt for full-fat cream cheese: Select a firm, full-fat block of cream cheese rather than low-fat or spreadable varieties. The full-fat version provides a more stable and thicker frosting.
• Room temperature: Ensure that your cream cheese is at room temperature before using it. Cold cream cheese may result in unappetizing lumps in your frosting.
• Avoid over-mixing: Over-mixing the frosting can lead to a less stable consistency due to the liquid in the cream cheese. Mix until smooth, and then stop to maintain the desired texture.
• Add-ins for stability: If you desire an even thicker frosting, you can gradually add more confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, while tasting to ensure it doesn't become too sweet. Additionally, you can incorporate cornstarch, meringue powder, or arrowroot powder to enhance stability without significantly altering the taste.
• Fresh lemon juice: Adding fresh lemon juice to your frosting introduces a delightful tang and depth of flavor. It also helps to cut through the sweetness of the confectioners' sugar.
• Salt: Using unsalted butter and adding a dash of salt allows you to control the flavor of your frosting. If you only have salted butter, simply omit the added salt.

Getting the right consistency

Achieving the right consistency is key to making a wedding cake with cream cheese frosting. The consistency of the frosting will determine how well it pipes, spreads, and holds its shape. Here are some tips to get the right consistency:

Ingredients

Use full-fat cream cheese and butter at room temperature. This will ensure that your frosting has a better texture and taste and mixes evenly. For the sweetest results, use unsalted butter. If you want to reduce the sweetness, you can opt for salted butter, but be aware that it will affect the colour of your frosting.

Mixing

When mixing your ingredients, follow this order: start by creaming the butter, then add in the cream cheese and mix until smooth. Next, add in the vanilla extract and any other flavourings, such as lemon juice or zest. Finally, gradually mix in the powdered sugar. If your frosting seems too thick, you can add a little cream or milk. Conversely, if it's too thin, simply add more powdered sugar.

Temperature

The temperature of your frosting is crucial. Always ensure that your frosting is at room temperature or warmer than your cake before you start decorating. If your frosting is too cold, it will be difficult to pipe or spread. On the other hand, if it's too warm, it may become runny and slide off your cake.

Storage

If you're making your frosting in advance, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Before using, bring it to room temperature and give it a good stir to get a smooth consistency again.

Thickeners

If you find that your frosting is too thin, you can add thickeners such as cornstarch, meringue powder, or arrowroot powder. However, be cautious not to add too much, as it can affect the taste and texture of your frosting.

Practice

Last but not least, practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to experiment with different recipes and techniques to find what works best for you. Making a test batch of frosting and trying out different piping tips and designs will help you get a feel for the right consistency.

Adding flavour

Ingredients

Use full-fat cream cheese to give the frosting a better texture and taste. Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing them together to ensure a smooth and lump-free consistency. For the sweet tooths, add in more icing/powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, to increase the sweetness and thickness of the frosting. A unique twist is to add in some cornstarch to thicken the frosting, but be mindful of not adding too much to avoid altering the taste and texture.

Flavour Combinations

For a tangy twist, add in some fresh lemon juice to cut through the sweetness. Alternatively, you can trade out the vanilla for other flavourings such as orange extract, chilled coffee, or spiced rum (for adults only). If you're looking for a milder, less tangy flavour, use mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese for some or all of your frosting.

Piping

If you're looking to pipe decorations, ensure you use cold, firm cream cheese to achieve a nice pipeable consistency. If the frosting starts to soften, simply place it back in the fridge for about 30 minutes and then rewhip it.

Storage

This frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Remember to give it a good stir once it thaws to get a smooth consistency. A frosted cake can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.

Decorating techniques

Decorating a wedding cake with cream cheese frosting can be a tricky affair, but with the right techniques, it can be done beautifully. Here are some tips and tricks to achieve a stunning cream cheese-frosted wedding cake:

Achieving the Right Consistency:

Before you begin decorating, it's crucial to get the right consistency for your cream cheese frosting. Here are some tips:

• Ensure that your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before mixing them. This will create a smoother, lump-free frosting.
• When adding the powdered sugar, do so in small batches and mix well after each addition. This will prevent lumps and help you achieve a consistent texture.
• If you're using vanilla extract, add it halfway through the mixing process. This ensures even distribution and adds a little moisture to help incorporate the powdered sugar.
• Depending on the desired consistency, you can adjust the amount of liquid (milk or cream) and powdered sugar. For a thinner frosting, add a little liquid, but be cautious as too much liquid can make the frosting too runny. To thicken the frosting, simply add more powdered sugar.

Basic Decorating Techniques:

Now that you have the perfect cream cheese frosting consistency, it's time to move on to some basic decorating techniques:

• Crumb Coat: Before applying the final coat of frosting, it's essential to do a crumb coat. This means applying a thin layer of frosting to trap any crumbs and create a smooth base for decoration. Chill the cake after the crumb coat to set it.
• Smooth Finish: To achieve a smooth and crisp finish, use an offset spatula. Straighten and level the top and sides of the cake with the spatula, creating a clean canvas for further decoration.
• Piping: If you want to pipe designs or borders, ensure your cream cheese frosting is thick enough to hold its shape. Chilling the frosting for about 20 minutes before piping can help with this.
• Rosettes: For a simple yet elegant design, pipe wide rosettes on the top and/or sides of the cake. This adds texture and visual interest to your wedding cake.

Advanced Decorating Techniques:

Once you've mastered the basics, you can explore more advanced decorating techniques:

• Basket Weave Design: Create a unique and intricate pattern by piping a basket weave design on your wedding cake. This technique adds dimension and texture to your creation.
• Ornate Designs: If you're feeling adventurous, try your hand at ornate designs. Cream cheese frosting holds its shape well, making it perfect for intricate patterns and decorations.
• Fondant Covering: While cream cheese frosting can be used as a filling, it may not be stable enough for a fondant covering. Consider using a different type of frosting or icing for the final coat if you plan to cover your wedding cake with fondant.

Storage and Stability:

Cream cheese frosting requires proper storage to maintain its texture and freshness:

• Room Temperature: Cream cheese frosting can be left at room temperature for a day due to the sugar content, which prevents the cream cheese from spoiling too quickly.
• Refrigeration: For longer storage, store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Bring it to room temperature and stir well before using.
• Freezing: You can also freeze cream cheese frosting for up to 2 months. Thaw it and stir well to regain the desired consistency.

Storage and preservation

A wedding cake with cream cheese frosting is a delicious choice, but it is important to store and preserve it correctly to ensure it stays fresh and safe to eat. Here are some detailed tips for storing and preserving your cream cheese-frosted wedding cake:

Storing the Frosting

Before you even begin to decorate your wedding cake, you should prepare and store your cream cheese frosting. This will ensure that it is the correct consistency for decorating and will also help to extend its shelf life.

• Make your frosting ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• When you are ready to use it, give it a good stir to get a smooth and pipeable consistency.

Storing an Undecorated Cake

If you are baking the cake layers in advance, it is important to store them correctly to prevent them from drying out or going bad.

• Once your cake layers are baked, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial, as any moisture could trap steam in the cake, affecting its texture or even leading to bacterial growth.
• Wrap the individual cake layers twice in food-service-grade plastic wrap. Label them with the date and cake type.
• The wrapped cakes can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
• If you are decorating the cake within a few days, you can store the wrapped cake layers in the refrigerator instead. This will help to preserve their freshness.

Storing a Decorated Cake

Once your wedding cake is decorated with cream cheese frosting, you have a few options for storage depending on how soon it will be served.

• If you plan to serve the cake within 2-3 days, it can be stored at room temperature. Place it under a cake dome or cover it with a large mixing bowl to protect it from dust and other contaminants.
• For longer storage, place the decorated cake in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but be sure to cover it or wrap it to prevent it from absorbing any fridge odors.
• If you need to store the cake for even longer, you can freeze a fully frosted cake! First, freeze it on a cookie sheet for at least 20 minutes, then wrap it in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• When you are ready to serve the cake, remove the wrapping and allow it to defrost in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Then, let it come to room temperature for about an hour before serving.

Preserving the Cake

To ensure your wedding cake stays fresh and delicious, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind:

• If your cake has multiple layers, fill the layers and then put a crumb coat of frosting on the entire cake. Refrigerate the cake for about 15 minutes to set the crumb coat before adding the final layer of frosting.
• Always use full-fat cream cheese in your frosting, as it gives the frosting a better texture and taste.
• Make sure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before making your frosting. This will ensure they mix together smoothly and you won't end up with lumps.
• If you are making the frosting for a cake, mix the frosting on the lowest speed at the end of the process for a couple of minutes to remove any extra air incorporated during mixing.
• If you have leftover cake after serving, use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moist. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Frequently asked questions