Birch Bark Wedding Cake: A Natural, Rustic Delight

Birch tree wedding cakes are a popular choice for couples who love nature and the outdoors. The cakes mimic the look of birch wood, with a rustic, white-textured exterior that replicates the bark. To make a birch bark wedding cake, you can use either buttercream or fondant, depending on your preference. Fondant lends itself more to manipulation for texture and airbrush colouring. To create the bark effect, you can use a thin, wavy spatula to make swirls in the buttercream or paint melted dark chocolate and white coating on parchment paper to create an edible bark finish. You can also add fresh flowers, florals, branches, greenery, or even fresh fruit to enhance the natural-inspired design.

Using buttercream or fondant to create a birch bark effect

To create a birch bark effect with buttercream or fondant, start by covering the entire cake with a thin layer of white fondant or buttercream frosting. This will serve as the base colour for the birch bark. Next, roll out small strips of grey fondant and apply them randomly onto the cake, slightly overlapping each strip to mimic the natural variations in bark patterns.

If using buttercream, you can use an offset spatula or piping bag to spread or pipe alternate sections of grey and white buttercream onto the cake in irregular shapes that resemble patches of birch bark. It is recommended to use a stiffer consistency of buttercream for this purpose.

To add depth and dimension to the bark, lightly brush edible brown food colouring onto selected areas of the grey fondant strips or buttercream sections. This will create shadows and highlights, giving the bark a more realistic three-dimensional appearance.

Finally, use an icing scraper or a small piece of parchment paper to gently press horizontal lines onto the grey fondant strips or buttercream sections. Ensure that these lines align with the direction of the bark's grain. This step will create an authentic birch wood appearance and enhance the overall texture of your design.

For a more intricate design, you can use a small paintbrush or piping tip to create fine lines or grooves on the bark, simulating cracks or indentations commonly seen in birch bark. You can also add small details such as knots, cracks, or peeling sections of bark using a smaller brush.

Fondant is preferred by some bakers for creating birch bark cakes due to its manipulability and ease of use for texturing and airbrush colouring. However, buttercream is considered more tasty and can be used to create a beautiful, rustic texture that mimics the bark's uneven surface.

Adding decorations like fresh flowers, pinecones, or berries

Once you've created your birch bark cake base, it's time to add decorations like fresh flowers, pinecones, or berries. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers provided by a florist are a great way to dress up your birch bark wedding cake. Choose blooms that complement the rustic, natural aesthetic of the cake. For a bold statement, opt for large, colourful flowers that cascade down the tiers. Alternatively, for a more delicate look, go for dainty blooms or a simple nod to the outdoor theme with a single bold flower and a few twigs. Fresh flowers can also be paired with greenery or berries for a more intricate design.

Pinecones

Pinecones are perfect for a winter wedding or a rustic, barn-style celebration. They add a touch of sophistication to the cake while still maintaining the natural, outdoor-inspired theme. For a more subtle approach, consider using sugar pinecones instead.

Berries

Berries are an excellent choice for a birch bark wedding cake, especially if you're looking to incorporate some colour. Fresh forest berries can be used as a whimsical addition to a woodland-inspired cake, while jewel-toned sugared cranberries add a touch of elegance to a winter wonderland design.

When adding these decorations, feel free to get creative and mix and match different elements. Remember, the beauty of a birch tree cake is its versatility, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that best suits your wedding's aesthetic.

Creating a birch bark pattern with chocolate and white coating

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers

Start by baking your favourite 6-inch round cake recipe. You will need three layers to create a tall cake that showcases the birch bark design. Once your cakes are baked and cooled, split them and soak the layers with sugar syrup. Then, stack them with layers of buttercream and crumb coat the entire cake. Place the cake in the fridge for about 30 minutes until it is firm.

Step 2: Create the Birch Bark Pattern

Now, remove the cake from the fridge and frost only the sides with white buttercream. The top of the cake will be left empty as it will be decorated separately. To create the birch bark pattern, cover a half sheet tray with parchment paper. Melt 4 ounces of dark chocolate candy coating in the microwave at half power, stirring occasionally until melted. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate to avoid burning it.

Using a paintbrush, start painting the parchment paper to mimic the markings of a birch tree. This includes painting knots, striations, stripes, and little dots. Ensure you cover the entire tray with the pattern. If your paintbrush starts to harden, wipe it clean before continuing. Once you are done, place the tray in the fridge for about 2 minutes to chill the chocolate pattern.

Step 3: Add the White Coating

Melt a 12-ounce bag of white candy coating and let it cool until it is no longer warm to the touch but still melted. This should take around 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the refrigerator and spread the white coating evenly across the pan, working from left to right. The layer will be thin, but that is okay. Return the tray to the fridge for about 10 minutes to let the coating firm up.

Step 4: Apply the Bark to the Cake

Take the chilled tray out of the refrigerator and place the short end towards you. Simultaneously lift the parchment paper and use both hands to break the chocolate sheet into large strips of bark. Don't worry if it breaks into shards instead of strips, as they can still be used to decorate the cake.

Step 5: Assemble the Cake

Finally, take the strips of bark and place them on the sides of the cake, using extra buttercream to adhere them if needed. Overlap the strips to fit them neatly around the cake, arranging them however you prefer.

And there you have it! A beautiful birch bark wedding cake with a chocolate and white coating pattern. You can further decorate the cake with pine trees, deer, mushrooms, or fresh flowers to match your wedding's aesthetic.

Using a spatula to create grooves and mimic tree rings

• Start by preparing your cake layers. It is recommended to bake three 6" diameter cake layers for a nice tall cake that showcases the side pattern. You can use your favourite recipe or opt for a flavour like spice cake, chocolate cake, or vanilla cake.
• Create a crumb coat by filling your layers with buttercream and placing the cake in the fridge until firm. This creates a base for the final layer of icing and helps to seal in the crumbs.
• Remove the cake from the fridge and apply a final layer of buttercream to the sides and top. For a birch tree cake, you don't need to worry about achieving a perfectly smooth finish. In fact, a slightly uneven and textured surface can enhance the bark effect.
• To create the tree rings, focus on the top of the cake. Use a tapered spatula or a butter knife to carefully carve grooves into the buttercream. Imagine you are mimicking the circular growth rings that you would find in a tree's cross-section. Vary the spacing and depth of these grooves to create an interesting and natural-looking texture.
• You can further enhance the bark effect by adding colour. Mix brown gel colour with cooled boiled water, and apply this mixture to the top of the cake using a wide brush. Gently spin your turntable to create a bark edge circle. Use a small spatula to blend the colour while continuing to spin the turntable.
• Now, it's time to add the distinctive birch bark pattern. Using brown gel colour and a narrow paintbrush, spin the cake slowly while adding short and slightly longer dashes around the sides. Remember, this technique requires a gentle touch, as you are working with buttercream, not fondant. If you need to make any corrections, simply push the buttercream back into place.
• The final step is to add any additional details, such as "bark eyes." Use a brush and gel colour to create these markings, and then use a palette knife or blade to give it a chunky, textured appearance.

By following these steps and paying attention to the details, you'll be able to create a stunning birch bark wedding cake that impresses your guests and captures the beauty of nature.

Stacking and layering cakes with buttercream

Stacking and layering a birch bark wedding cake with buttercream is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail to achieve the desired outcome. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Cake Layers:

Before stacking, ensure your cakes are baked and cooled and split into layers. It's essential to level each layer by trimming any domes or uneven surfaces with a long serrated knife. This step ensures that your cake layers are flat and even, providing a stable foundation for stacking.

Creating a Stable Base:

Place a cardboard cake circle the same diameter as your cake layers onto a turntable or cake board. This step will make it easier to work with the cake and transport it later. Add a small amount of buttercream to the cake circle, acting as "glue" to secure the bottom layer in place.

Filling with Buttercream:

Buttercream is a stable filling that can be used to fill and frost your cake. Prepare a buttercream with the desired consistency—thick enough to hold the weight of the above cake layer without oozing out. You can adjust the consistency by adding extra powdered sugar or cooling it in the refrigerator before whipping it back up.

To fill the cake, use an angled spatula to scoop and smooth the buttercream onto each cake layer. Aim for a thickness of about 1/2 inch, or adjust according to your preference. Ensure the buttercream filling is level by checking at eye level before adding the next cake layer.

Stacking the Cake Layers:

After filling the bottom layer, place the next cake layer on top, ensuring it is centred. Repeat the process of adding and smoothing the buttercream before placing the subsequent layer. When adding the top layer, flip it upside down so that the cut-side is facing down. This reduces the amount of loose crumbs in your crumb coat and final cake finish.

Creating a Crumb Coat:

Apply a crumb coat by filling in any gaps between the layers with additional frosting. Use an offset or straight metal spatula to even out the frosting, creating a thin, even layer that completely coats the cake. It doesn't need to be perfectly smooth, but it should be even.

Chilling the Cake:

Chill the cake in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes or until the frosting sets. This step is crucial to prevent mixing different temperatures of frosting when applying the final layer.

Final Frosting and Decorations:

Once the crumb coat is set, you can add the final layer of frosting. For a birch bark effect, don't worry about achieving a perfectly smooth surface. Instead, aim for a bark-like, uneven texture. You can use a palette knife or a spatula to create carvings and rings for a more realistic bark texture.

At this stage, you can add additional decorations to your birch bark wedding cake. Consider fresh florals, branches, greenery, or even fruit to enhance the natural aesthetic.

Frequently asked questions