Creating A Faux Wedding Cake With Fondant

A fake wedding cake is a cost-effective alternative to a traditional wedding cake. It is made from faux layers, typically using styrofoam discs decorated with fondant, spackling, joint compound, and other embellishments to resemble a real cake. The top tier of a fake wedding cake is usually real, allowing the couple to perform the traditional cake-cutting ceremony and save a slice for their first anniversary. Creating a fake wedding cake can be a fun DIY project, adding a unique touch to your special day without breaking the bank.

Choosing the right materials

The first step in making a fake wedding cake is gathering the right materials. This will ensure that your cake not only looks beautiful but also holds up during your celebration. Here is a list of materials you will need to create a stunning and realistic fake wedding cake:

Styrofoam Rounds or Blocks

The base of your fake wedding cake will be made from Styrofoam rounds or blocks. You can purchase these pre-cut in various sizes to create the desired number of tiers for your cake. If you want a more customised shape, you can cut the Styrofoam yourself. This will allow you to create a unique and personalised cake design.

Joint Compound or Spackling

To create the look of frosting, you will need to use a joint compound or spackling. This material can be found at most hardware stores or even at the Dollar Store. It is important to get a lightweight variety so that it is easy to work with and resembles real frosting. You may also want to get an extra bucket of joint compound or spackling to use as a base coat, especially if you want to create a white cake.

Paint

Adding paint to your joint compound or spackling will give it the desired colour. Acrylic paint is a good option as it comes in a variety of colours and is easy to work with. You can mix the paint directly into the compound to create a uniform colour or paint the Styrofoam tiers separately for a more naked cake look. If you want to create a chocolate cake, you can use black spackle for a more realistic look.

Adhesive

To assemble your cake, you will need a strong adhesive. A hot glue gun with glue sticks will do the trick. You can also find special Styrofoam glue that will ensure your tiers are securely attached.

Decorations

The fun part of decorating your cake begins! You can use a variety of decorations to make your cake unique and elegant. Fresh or silk flowers, ribbons, rhinestones, and other embellishments can be added. If you want to create a Halloween-themed cake, you can use candy, fall florals, and acorns for a festive touch. Get creative and choose decorations that reflect your style and the theme of your wedding.

Tools

There are a few tools that will come in handy when creating your fake wedding cake. A spackle knife will help you smoothly apply the joint compound or spackling to your cake tiers. A paint sprayer or paintbrushes will be useful for applying paint to your cake. If you want to add decorative swirls or writing to your cake, use a disposable pastry bag. Lastly, a sharp knife will help you cut the Styrofoam if you need to customise the shape of your tiers.

Stacking the tiers

Before you begin stacking, it is important to plan the design of your cake. Decide on the number of tiers you want and the size of each tier. This will depend on the overall height and width you desire for your cake. Remember that the tiers should gradually decrease in size as they go up, creating a visually appealing and stable structure.

Once you have your design planned out, it's time to start assembling:

• Place the largest tier, which will be the base of your cake, on a sturdy cake board or drum. This can be a simple cardboard cakeboard or a more formal drum, depending on your preference. Ensure the tier is centred and secured to the board with a small amount of frosting or glue.
• Carefully apply frosting or fondant to the top surface of the base tier. You can use a spatula to smooth out the frosting and create a neat edge. If using fondant, roll it out to the desired thickness and size, then carefully lift and drape it over the tier, smoothing it out with your hands or a fondant smoother.
• Place the second-largest tier on top of the first. Centre it carefully to ensure the cake remains stable. You can use a small amount of frosting or glue to secure the tiers together.
• Repeat the process of frosting or covering each tier with fondant, gradually stacking them from largest to smallest. Take your time with this process, as it is important for the stability and aesthetics of your cake.
• Once all the tiers are stacked and covered in frosting or fondant, use a small spatula or spoon to carefully seal the seams between each tier. This will create a smooth and cohesive look for your cake.
• If desired, you can add additional decorations to the cake, such as ribbons, flowers, or other embellishments. Fresh flowers can be a beautiful and elegant touch, but be sure to add them close to the event to ensure they look their best.

Remember to work in a clean space and allow sufficient drying time for any frosting or fondant before stacking the tiers. With careful planning and execution, you can create a stunning fake wedding cake that will impress your guests and save you money!

Creating the 'icing'

Creating the icing for your fake wedding cake is a fun and simple process. You can use a variety of materials to create the look you want, and it's a great way to add a touch of elegance to your special day without breaking the bank. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating the icing for your fake wedding cake:

• Gather Your Materials: You will need a disposable mixing bowl and spatula, lightweight spackling or joint compound, and acrylic paint in your desired colour. You can easily find these supplies at your local craft store or hardware store.
• Prepare the Icing: In your mixing bowl, combine the spackling or joint compound with paint. Mix it well, folding in the paint just like you would with cake batter. Depending on the colour you want, you may need to adjust the amount of paint or spackling.
• Apply the Icing: Using a plastic knife or a spatula, start covering your styrofoam cake layers with the coloured mixture. Don't worry about creating a smooth finish; the texture of the spackling will give it a more realistic frosting look. Make sure to cover all the layers, including the top and sides, to create a uniform base.
• Let it Dry: Once you have finished icing your cake layers, set them aside to dry completely. This usually takes around 24-48 hours, depending on the temperature and humidity in your workspace.
• Smooth and Sand (Optional): If you want an extra smooth finish, you can lightly sand the dried icing with fine-grit sandpaper. This step is optional but can help create a more professional look for your cake.
• Add Decorative Details: To make your fake cake even more realistic, consider adding some decorative elements. You can use a disposable pastry bag to pipe on swirls, ruffles, or other textures. Fresh or silk flowers, ribbons, and other embellishments can also be added to enhance the design and hide any imperfections.
• Final Touches: Before assembling your cake layers, you can glue or stack them together for a more cohesive look. If you want a true showstopper, consider using lights or other unique decorations to make your fake wedding cake truly unique.

Remember, this is your special day, so feel free to get creative and make it your own! You can even involve your bridal party or family members in the process, making it a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Adding decorations

Now for the fun part: decorating your fake wedding cake!

Most designs will work for a faux wedding cake, but some bakers have restrictions on what they can offer. For example, Tiffany MacIsaac, owner of Buttercream Bakeshop, only offers fondant designs, which are assembled and decorated in the same way as her real cakes. Some bakers may be willing to do buttercream designs on a fake cake.

If you're making your own fake wedding cake, you can decorate it however you like. You can use fondant, spackling, joint compound, and other embellishments to make the cake look real. You can also add fresh flowers to your cake, but be sure to add them before the spackle completely dries to avoid cracking. If you're using silk flowers, you can glue them to the cake using a hot glue gun.

You can also add other decorative elements, such as ribbons, rhinestones, or stickers, to give your cake a unique look. If you're feeling extra creative, you can even use a disposable pastry bag to add decorative swirls to your cake, just like you would with a real cake.

Don't forget to decorate the cake board or drum as well. You can cover it with store-bought frosting, fondant, or even fabric to create a clean finish.

So, let your creativity flow and have fun with it! The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating your fake wedding cake.

Cutting the cake

The top tier of your fake wedding cake is the only edible part, so this is the piece you'll cut and share with your new spouse. You can save the other tiers for your first anniversary! The fake cake will be wheeled away, and your servers will bring out slices of sheet cake for your guests.

If you want to be able to cut the cake for photos or to stick with tradition, you can replace one of the layers with a real cake. You can cut a small piece of foam out of the back of a layer, decorate the rest of the cake, then line the area for the real cake with butcher paper.

If you want to add flowers to your cake, add them about an hour before the ceremony. You can also add flowers in between the layers to cover the seams and make the bottom layers cohesive with the edible top layer.

You can also use a variety of decorative elements to add interest to your cake. For example, for a fall-style cake, you can use candy corn, fall florals, and acorns. Just dab a bit of hot glue on the bottom of the candy and press it onto the cake for a few seconds.

You can also use stickers to decorate the blank areas of the cake according to your own needs and hobbies. For example, for a fall-style cake, you can choose some leaf stickers, or if it's a Halloween cake, you can use stickers with horror elements.

With a little time and effort, you can create a faux cake that is both beautiful and realistic.

Frequently asked questions