Frosted Birch Tree Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Birch tree cakes are a popular choice for weddings, thanks to their natural woodland look. To create this rustic effect, a thin layer of buttercream is applied to the top and sides of the cake, with some of the cake still visible through the frosting. It's important to crumb coat the cake first, to ensure a smooth finish. Once the crumb coat has set, a second layer of frosting is added, before decorations such as buttercream leaves, flowers, or initials carved into the side.

How to create a crumb coat

To create a crumb coat, start by applying a thin layer of buttercream to the top and sides of your cake. Use an offset spatula to smooth out the buttercream evenly and remove any excess. It's fine for some of the cake to be visible through the buttercream, as this will help achieve the rustic look. Once you're happy with the crumb coat, place the cake in the fridge for about 10 minutes to set. After the crumb coat has set, you can apply a second layer of frosting. This base frosting coat will catch any crumbs that might appear through the frosting, ensuring a smooth finish.

How to create a rustic look with buttercream

Birch tree cakes are a popular choice for weddings, thanks to their natural woodland look. To create a rustic birch tree wedding cake with buttercream, you'll need to follow these steps:

Firstly, it's important to crumb coat your cake. This base frosting coat will catch any crumbs that might appear through the frosting, ensuring a smooth finish. After your crumb coat has set in the fridge for about 10 minutes, apply a second layer of frosting.

When frosting the cake, use a thin layer of buttercream. It's fine for some of the cake to be visible through the buttercream, as this helps to achieve the rustic look. Use an offset spatula to smooth out the buttercream evenly and remove any extra.

To decorate your rustic cake, you can add flowers, leaves, herbs, or even buttercream leaves. You could also use the back end of a paintbrush to create small holes in the white layer of frosting, or carve initials into the side. For a more wintry birch tree cake, ice the top of the cake with light brown buttercream and create grooves to mimic tree rings.

Finally, chill your cake for a few hours before serving. This will help set the buttercream and ensure it looks and tastes perfect for your wedding celebration.

How to create a birch bark effect

To create a birch bark effect on a wedding cake, you'll need to start with a crumb coat. This is a base frosting coat that catches any crumbs that might appear through the frosting, ensuring a smooth cake. Once your crumb coat has set in the fridge for about 10 minutes, apply a second layer of frosting.

For a birch tree cake, you'll want to use white buttercream for the crumb coat and second layer. Only frost the sides of the cake, leaving the top empty. This doesn't have to be perfectly smooth, as you'll be covering it with birch bark.

Next, ice the top of the cake with light brown buttercream. Use a tapered spatula or butter knife to create grooves in the top to mimic tree rings.

To add further detail to the birch bark effect, use the back end of a paintbrush to create small holes that only go through the white layer of frosting. Repeat as many times as you feel necessary. You can also add buttercream leaves or carve initials into the side of the cake.

How to create tree rings

To create the tree rings, you will need to crumb coat your cake. This is a base frosting coat that catches any crumbs that might appear through the frosting, ensuring a smooth cake. After your crumb coat has set in the fridge for about 10 minutes, apply a second layer of frosting.

Next, use a tapered spatula or butter knife to create grooves in the top of the cake to mimic tree rings. Start by frosting the top and sides of your cake with a thin layer of buttercream. It's fine for some of the cake to be visible through the buttercream. Use your offset spatula to move the buttercream to the middle of the cake to remove any extra buttercream.

To create a small hole that only goes through the white layer of frosting, use the back end of a paintbrush. Repeat as you feel necessary. You can now add decorations to your rustic cake, such as flowers, leaves, and herbs.

Chill your cake for a few hours.

How to decorate a birch tree cake

Birch tree cakes are a popular choice for weddings, thanks to their natural woodland look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to decorate a birch tree cake:

Firstly, crumb coat your cake. This is a thin base layer of frosting that will catch any crumbs and ensure your cake is smooth. It is good practice to crumb coat any cake you plan to decorate. After your crumb coat has set in the fridge for about 10 minutes, apply a second layer of frosting.

Next, use a spatula to smooth out the buttercream evenly. Only use a thin layer, as this helps to achieve the rustic look. It is fine for some of the cake to be visible through the buttercream. Move the buttercream to the middle of the cake to remove any excess.

Now, you can add your decorations. Use the back end of a paintbrush to create small holes in the white layer of frosting. Repeat as many times as you like, then add buttercream leaves or carve initials into the side of the cake. You can also add flowers, herbs, or ganache.

Finally, chill your cake in the fridge for a few hours.

Frequently asked questions