Little Debbie Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Little Debbie cakes are a popular treat, often enjoyed as a nostalgic snack that reminds people of their childhood. The brand offers a variety of cakes, including Valentine's Day and Christmas Tree-themed cakes, which are especially festive. Making Little Debbie wedding cakes at home is a fun and creative process that can be tailored to your preferences. The cakes typically feature soft vanilla or yellow cake layers filled with marshmallow or whipped cream and coated in white or pink chocolate. Decorations such as sprinkles, drizzles, and swirls of frosting add a whimsical touch. The process involves baking the cake, preparing the filling, assembling the layers, and decorating with chocolate and toppings. It's a delightful way to celebrate a wedding with a unique and personalized touch.

Choosing the right cake pan

First, consider the size of the cake pan. For a Little Debbie-style cake, you'll need a pan that is large enough to accommodate the number of servings you plan to make. Standard cake pans come in a variety of sizes, including 8-inch, 9-inch, and 10-inch rounds, as well as larger sheet pans. Choose a size that aligns with the number of guests you intend to serve.

Next, pay attention to the material of the cake pan. Different materials conduct heat differently, which can affect the baking time and the overall texture of your cake. Common materials for cake pans include aluminium, stainless steel, and non-stick-coated options. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, aluminium pans heat quickly and evenly, producing a beautifully browned cake exterior, while non-stick pans are convenient for releasing the cake without sticking but may impact the browning process.

Additionally, consider the shape of the cake pan. Little Debbie cakes are typically rectangular, so a sheet pan or a rectangular cake pan would be ideal. If you prefer a more traditional wedding cake shape, you can opt for round cake pans, which are available in various sizes. Using round pans will give your cake a more elegant, tiered appearance.

Lastly, don't forget to think about the depth of the cake pan. Since Little Debbie cakes are known for their thin, delicate layers, you'll want to choose a pan with a relatively shallow depth. This will ensure that your cake bakes evenly and can be easily layered and coated.

By taking these factors into account, you'll be well on your way to choosing the right cake pan for your Little Debbie wedding cake, ensuring both a delicious dessert and a visually appealing presentation.

Preparing the batter

To make the batter for a Little Debbie cake, you will need the following ingredients:

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cream of tartar
• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Butter
• Oil
• Powdered sugar

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, spray two half sheet pans (18x13-inch) with cooking spray and line them with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, mix together the boxed cake mix, sugar, water, eggs, vanilla, and oil until combined. This should take about 1 minute. Next, add in the flour, salt, and sour cream and mix on medium speed until the batter is smooth and lump-free, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

Make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start, as this will ensure they are easily incorporated.

Once you have a smooth batter, divide it evenly between your two pans and smooth it out. The cakes will be thin, but this is what you want as you will be stacking the layers.

Bake your cakes for 15-18 minutes, or until they are cooked through. You can check if they are done by inserting a toothpick into the centre – if it comes out clean, your cakes are ready.

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before transferring them to the refrigerator to chill for a further 30-60 minutes.

This recipe will give you a soft, vanilla-flavoured cake, similar to the classic Little Debbie cake.

Baking the cake

To make a Little Debbie wedding cake, you'll need to bake a sheet cake, cut out shapes from it, fill and assemble the cakes, and decorate them. Here's a detailed guide on the baking process:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) or 325°F (160°C). The temperature depends on the type of cake you're making.
• Prepare your baking pan by greasing it with non-stick spray or butter and lining it with parchment paper. For a sheet cake, use a half sheet pan or a rectangular baking pan (approximately 11" x 15" or 18" x 13").
• In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
• In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, oil, and sugar using a stand mixer or hand mixer until light and fluffy. This will take around 3 minutes.
• Add eggs one at a time to the mixture, scraping down the bowl between additions. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth.
• Mix in any extracts or flavourings, such as vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients and sour cream or yogurt to the wet mixture, alternating between the two. Start and end with the dry ingredients, ensuring everything is well combined.
• Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out.
• Bake the cake for 15-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding to the next step. You can speed up the cooling process by refrigerating the cake for 30-60 minutes after it has reached room temperature.

Cutting Out Shapes

Once your cake has cooled, it's time to cut out shapes for your individual cakes. Here's how:

• Use a cookie cutter in the shape of your choice (hearts, for example) to cut out shapes from the sheet cake. You can also use a knife to cut the cake into rectangles or squares.
• Cut each shape horizontally to create two layers for filling. You can do this before or after cutting out the shapes, depending on your preference.

Now that your cake layers are ready, it's time to fill and assemble them before moving on to the final decorating steps.

Making the filling

To make the filling for your Little Debbie wedding cake, you can use marshmallow creme, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, salt, and heavy cream. Beat the marshmallow creme and butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. You can use a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer for this.

Next, add in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and mix on medium speed until smooth. You can then add the heavy cream until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. You want it to be spreadable but not too thin.

Another option for the filling is Swiss meringue buttercream. This is a silky, heavenly buttercream made by cooking egg whites and sugar and whipping them with butter until velvety and delicious. Alternatively, you could fill your wedding cakes with whipped cream.

Decorating the cake

Decorating a Little Debbie wedding cake is a fun and creative process that can be tailored to your personal style and preferences. Here are some detailed instructions and ideas to help you get started:

Baking and Assembly:

Before you begin decorating, ensure that your cake is baked, cooled, and assembled. You can follow a recipe to create a soft vanilla or yellow cake with a creamy filling. Cut out your desired cake shape—hearts or trees are popular—and fill them with marshmallow creme, whipped cream, or Swiss meringue buttercream. Stack the cakes and freeze them until solid to make them easier to work with.

Icing and Coating:

For the coating, you can use almond bark, white chocolate, or candy melts. Melt your chosen coating in a heatproof bowl, stirring until smooth. If you want to colour your coating, use gel food colouring; add a small amount at a time and stir well to avoid seizing. Dip the frozen cakes completely into the coating and place them on a wire rack or parchment paper to set.

Design and Decoration:

Once the coating has set, it's time to decorate! Using leftover white coating, drizzle random circles or swirls on top of the cakes for an elegant design. You can also pipe additional designs with vanilla buttercream or use red cookie decorating icing to create a garland pattern. If you want to add some sparkle, sprinkle on some sanding sprinkles while the coating is still wet.

Presentation:

Little Debbie wedding cakes can be presented in various ways. You can place them on a platter or cake stand, adding fresh flowers or greenery for a romantic touch. For a more whimsical display, create a miniature landscape with sugar paste or fondant, featuring the cakes as part of the scene. You can also package the individual cakes in decorative boxes or bags, tied with ribbons, for your guests to take home as favours.

Final Thoughts:

Decorating a Little Debbie wedding cake is a creative and enjoyable process that allows you to express your style and personality. Feel free to experiment with different colours, flavours, and decorations to make your wedding cake unique and memorable.

Frequently asked questions