Golden Wedding Anniversary Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A 50th wedding anniversary is a significant milestone that calls for a celebration. A golden wedding anniversary cake is a great way to commemorate this special occasion. Whether you're looking for a traditional floral design or a more modern cake with gold brushstrokes, there are many ways to make your cake unique and personalised. You can also add fondant cartoon figures of the couple or turn it into a two-tier cake with matching cupcakes if you're hosting a large party. Another idea is to recreate your wedding cake, with the same flavour, icing, and structure, or opt for a cake with a golden trim.

Two-tier cake with gold brush strokes

A two-tier cake is a great option for a medium-sized wedding, as it can serve several dozen people. It is also a more affordable option than a larger cake.

Baking the Cake

Firstly, you will need to bake the two tiers of the cake. For a golden wedding anniversary, you could opt for a chocolate bottom tier and a vanilla top tier. Here are the ingredients and steps for baking each tier:

Chocolate Cake Bottom Tier:

• Preheat your oven to 170C/150C Fan.
• Line two 8-inch deep cake tins with parchment paper.
• Add 500g of unsalted butter and 500g of light brown sugar to a bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
• Add 400g of self-raising flour, 100g of cocoa powder, and 10 medium eggs. Beat again until a smooth cake mixture forms.
• Split the mixture evenly between the two tins and bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
• Once baked, leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Vanilla Cake Top Tier:

• Preheat your oven to 170C/150C Fan.
• Line two 6-inch deep cake tins with parchment paper.
• Add 300g of unsalted butter and 300g of light brown sugar to a bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
• Add 300g of self-raising flour, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 6 medium eggs. Beat again until a smooth cake mixture forms.
• Split the mixture evenly between the two tins and bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
• Once baked, leave the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Making the Buttercream and Ganache:

While the cakes are cooling, you can make the chocolate buttercream and chocolate ganache that will be used for the filling and outside of the cake.

Chocolate Buttercream:

• Beat 300g of unsalted butter in a mixer until smooth and supple.
• Gradually add 600g of icing sugar and 100g of cocoa powder, beating well after each addition, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
• If the mixture becomes too stiff, add 1-2 tablespoons of boiling water and beat until smooth.

Chocolate Ganache:

• Chop 125g each of dark chocolate and milk chocolate into chip-sized pieces.
• Heat double cream in a pan until just before the boiling point.
• Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Stir the mixture until smooth. If needed, return the mixture to the pan and heat gently until smooth.
• Let the ganache sit at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a peanut butter-like consistency.

Assembling the Cake:

Once the cakes are cooled and the buttercream and ganache are ready, you can begin assembling the cake.

• Level off the cakes if needed. For the chocolate cake, split the two cakes horizontally so that you have four layers in total.
• Place the first chocolate cake layer on a 10-inch cake board and secure it with a small amount of buttercream.
• Spread some chocolate buttercream onto the first layer, then add the second chocolate sponge on top. Repeat this process until you reach the top layer of the chocolate cake.
• Spread chocolate buttercream around the sides of the chocolate cake to fill in any gaps and create a crumb coat. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes.
• Repeat this process with the vanilla cake layers, using a 6-inch thin cake board for the top tier.
• Once the cakes are chilled and the ganache is ready, use an angled spatula to spread the ganache over both cakes, smoothing it with a large metal scraper. Refrigerate the cakes for another 30 minutes.

Adding the Final Touches:

Now, you can add the finishing touches to your golden anniversary cake!

• Insert four dowel supports into the larger 8-inch cake to hold the top tier in place.
• Spread a small amount of buttercream or ganache on top of the dowels, then carefully place the smaller 6-inch cake on top.
• If desired, thin down some of the leftover buttercream with boiling water to create a drip effect around the edges of each tier.
• Using a small paintbrush, flick edible gold paint over the cake in a random paint splatter effect. Protect the surrounding surfaces before doing this.
• Pipe swirls of the leftover buttercream on top of the cake and add gold sprinkles or other decorations, if desired.

Your two-tier golden wedding anniversary cake with gold brush strokes is now complete! Remember to let the cake chill and set between each step for the best results. Enjoy this special cake with your loved ones!

A recreation of the wedding cake

Firstly, gather as much information about the original cake as possible. If you have access to the recipe, that is ideal. If not, try to find out the flavour, icing and structure of the cake. Perhaps there are photos or even people who attended the wedding who can describe the cake. The more details you can gather, the more accurate your recreation will be.

Next, decide on the size of the cake. A multi-tiered cake is impressive and traditional for weddings, but it may not be necessary for an anniversary celebration, especially if it is a small, intimate gathering. Consider the number of guests and whether you want leftovers before deciding on the size.

Now, it's time to decorate! This is where you can really bring back memories of the original wedding. Use gold as your colour palette, with gold icing, gold leaf, or gold brush strokes. You could also add traditional floral decorations, perhaps replicating the flowers used at the wedding. If you want to include a cake-topper, consider fondant cartoon figures of the couple, or recreate their original wedding cake-topper.

Finally, don't forget that you can adapt the cake to modern tastes or to include any new elements from the couple's life together. For example, you could add a tier in a different flavour or include decorations that reflect their hobbies or interests.

By following these steps, you will create a delicious and meaningful golden wedding anniversary cake that is sure to be a talking point at the celebration.

Gold-trimmed triple-tier cake

A golden wedding anniversary is a momentous occasion to celebrate, and a gold-trimmed triple-tier cake is a perfect centrepiece for such an event. Here is a guide to creating this impressive cake:

Firstly, decide on the cake's flavour. A rich chocolate cake or a delicate vanilla sponge are classic choices, but you could also opt for something more unique, like a fruity cake with a hint of golden rum.

For the structure, you will need three different-sized cake tins, with the largest being around 10 inches in diameter, and the smallest about 6 inches. Bake your chosen cake recipe in these tins, ensuring you have a flat surface to decorate and stack. Once baked and cooled, you can level the cakes with a long serrated knife to ensure a straight edge.

Next, prepare your buttercream or frosting. A traditional vanilla or chocolate buttercream is a good choice, but for a golden anniversary, you might consider adding a touch of edible gold glitter to the frosting to give it a subtle sparkle.

Now it's time to assemble your tiers. Place the largest cake at the bottom, and use a buttercream or frosting dam to fill and prevent the layers from shifting. Repeat this process for the second and third tiers, using cake dowels in the bottom two tiers to provide support.

Finally, it's time to decorate. For a gold-trimmed cake, use gold ribbon around the base of each tier, and consider adding gold leaf or edible gold paint for a more luxurious touch. Fresh flowers, such as golden-hued roses, can be a beautiful addition, or you could opt for elegant gold-painted fondant flowers. To personalise the cake, you could include the couple's names and wedding date, or even recreate a scene from their wedding, such as their first dance or the proposal.

And there you have it—a stunning gold-trimmed triple-tier cake, perfect for a golden wedding anniversary celebration.

Number cakes representing years together

Number cakes are a fun and creative way to celebrate a golden wedding anniversary, representing the couple's years of commitment and love. Here are some ideas to make a memorable number cake:

Design Options

You can choose to bake a single-digit cake, such as a "5" or "0" for the 50th anniversary, or create two separate cakes, one for each digit. Decorate the cakes with elegant gold icing or fondant, reflecting the traditional theme for a 50th anniversary. You can also incorporate gold leaf details or edible gold flakes for a luxurious touch. Alternatively, opt for a modern design with gold brushstrokes or a combination of gold and white icing for a stylish look.

Personalisation

Add a personalised touch to the number cake by incorporating the couple's names or initials. You can also include the wedding date or a meaningful message. If you have access to a photo of the couple's original wedding cake, consider recreating it with a modern twist, adding the number "50" as a topper or alongside the cake. Another idea is to create fondant cartoon figures of the couple, depicting them celebrating their golden anniversary, to place on top of the number cake.

Flavour and Tiers

While the design is essential, don't forget to choose a delicious flavour for the cake. Consider the couple's preferences or recreate the flavour of their original wedding cake. If you want to make it more special, opt for a multi-tier number cake, with each tier representing a different flavour. For instance, you could have a two-tier cake with a different flavour for each number. This adds variety and makes the cake even more impressive.

Accompanying Treats

Enhance the celebration by including matching cupcakes or cookies with the number "50" on them. These treats can be decorated in similar colours and themes as the main cake, creating a cohesive dessert table. You can also offer a variety of other golden anniversary-themed desserts, such as golden macarons, truffles, or chocolate-covered strawberries.

Number cakes are a wonderful way to symbolise the couple's journey and the many years they have shared. By incorporating personal touches, elegant designs, and delicious flavours, you can create a golden wedding anniversary number cake that will be remembered for years to come.

Theme cakes showing love for your spouse

A wedding anniversary, especially a golden one, is a momentous occasion that calls for a grand celebration. A thoughtful way to commemorate this occasion is by ordering a personalised theme cake that symbolises your love for your spouse. Here are some creative ideas to consider:

Recreate Your Wedding Cake

Take inspiration from your wedding cake by recreating it for your anniversary. Opt for the same flavour, icing, and structure, evoking fond memories of your special day. If you wish to add a modern twist, consider incorporating gold elements, such as brush strokes or fondant figures of the golden couple, to mark the 50th anniversary.

The Scene of Your Proposal

If you and your spouse had a love marriage, consider recreating the intimate moment of your proposal on your anniversary cake. Whether it was a grand gesture or a private, heartfelt moment, this cake will undoubtedly spark joy and lead to retelling the stories attached to your proposal.

Special Landmarks: Golden, Silver & Ruby

For a 50th anniversary, opt for a golden-trimmed triple-tier cake. If you're celebrating a 25th anniversary, a silver-trimmed cake is a perfect choice. For those yet to reach these milestones, a ruby-trimmed cake is an excellent alternative. Enhance these cakes with large roses or other floral motifs for added elegance and a touch of romance.

Domestic Bliss

If you're celebrating your 50th anniversary, consider a cake depicting an old couple sitting comfortably on a sofa in a domestic setting. You can personalise this scene by including pets, grandchildren, or other elements that reflect your life together. This idea captures the beauty of a long-lasting marriage and the happiness found in the simple moments of everyday life.

A Classic 'Just Married' Sign Revisited

Bring a playful twist to your anniversary cake by revisiting the classic "just married" or "x weds y" signs. Update these phrases with creative variations such as "married since..." or "x wedded y on...." with date stamps. This idea adds a touch of nostalgia and fun to your celebration.

These theme cakes are a delightful way to showcase your love for your spouse and create lasting memories. Whether you opt for a simple and sophisticated design or a grand, multi-tiered creation, these cakes will undoubtedly make your golden wedding anniversary even more special.

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