Creating A Monogrammed Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding monograms are a popular way to add a personal touch to your big day. They can be used to decorate cakes, either as an edible element or as a cake topper. If you're looking to create a monogram for a wedding cake, there are several ways to go about it. You can use fondant, gum paste, or royal icing to create the monogram, and you can make it ahead of time and attach it to the cake with royal icing. You can also use a stencil to cut out the monogram from the cake itself. If you're not artistically inclined, you can use a wedding monogram generator or hire a professional artist to design your monogram.

Using a stencil to cut out monogram letters

Once the material is chosen, the next step is to cut out the monogram letters. This can be done by hand or with a cutting machine. If cutting by hand, print out the desired monogram letter(s) in the chosen font and size. Trace the letters onto the stencil material and carefully cut them out using a craft knife or scalpel. If using a cutting machine, design the monogram on a computer and feed the stencil material into the machine, which will cut out the letters.

With the stencil ready, it's now time to cut out the letters from the cake. Place the stencil on top of the cake layer, ensuring it is centred and secure. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut out the letter by tracing along the inside edge of the stencil. Remove the stencil, and repeat this process for any additional letters.

Finally, to reveal the monogram, gently remove the excess cake around the cut-out letter(s). This can be done by carefully cutting around the letter(s) with a sharp knife or by using a cookie cutter in the same shape as the letter(s). Once the excess cake has been removed, the monogrammed cake layer is complete and can be further decorated as desired.

Making a gum paste plaque to attach the monogram to the cake

To make a gum paste plaque to attach the monogram to the cake, you can follow these steps:

First, decide on the size and shape of your plaque. You can cut out a piece of cardboard to use as a template if that helps. If you want the plaque to curve around the side of the cake, you can use the cake pan of the tier you are attaching it to as a mould. Cover your mould with wax paper and wrap it around your cake pan.

Next, make your gum paste. You will need: 1/2 cup egg whites, 6 2/3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of tylose powder, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of food colouring if you want a particular colour for your plaque. Put the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and mix for 10 seconds at high speed. Add the powdered sugar, mixing on low until incorporated, then increase the speed and mix for approximately 10 minutes until the mixture forms soft, glossy peaks. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle, then mix for another minute. With the mixer running on low, slowly add the tylose powder, then increase the speed to medium and mix for another 1-2 minutes until the gum paste has formed a ball. Place the gum paste on a clean surface dusted with powdered sugar and knead in the vegetable shortening. If you are using food colouring, knead that in now as well. If the paste is sticking to your hands, add in another tablespoon of powdered sugar.

Now you can roll out your gum paste and cut it to the size and shape of your plaque. You can use a knife or a cookie cutter to get a neat edge. If you want to get really fancy, you could also emboss or cut out patterns or shapes to decorate the plaque.

Leave the gum paste plaque to dry completely before attaching it to your cake. You can attach it with a small amount of water, buttercream, or royal icing. If you want to attach it to the top of the cake, you can use supports like toothpicks or a popsicle stick, covered with fondant or another decoration.

Using fondant or a fondant and gum paste mix to create the monogram

First, gather your materials: you will need a fondant rolling pin, a plaque cutter, clear alcohol such as lemon extract or vodka, a rectangular cookie cutter, a monogram template, gold luster dust, a paintbrush, and a pizza cutter. You can find most of these supplies at cake decorating or craft stores.

To start, roll out a piece of fondant to your desired thickness. If you're using a fondant-gum paste mix, you may need to adjust the thickness to account for the additional strength and stiffness of the gum paste. Use your plaque cutter to cut out a neat shape for the base of your monogram. This could be a simple rectangle or something more ornate, depending on your preference.

Next, create a monogram template that fits inside the plaque. Choose a font that you like and print out the monogram in the desired size, or freehand draw it if you're feeling confident. Roll out another piece of fondant and cut out a rectangle that is large enough to fit your monogram. Using the pizza cutter, carefully cut out thin strips of fondant. Drape these strips over your monogram template, slightly overlapping them to create a neat, professional look. Allow this to dry for a few minutes before gently transferring it onto the plaque.

To attach the monogram letters securely to the plaque, brush the backside of the letters with clear alcohol. This will act as a glue to hold them in place. In a small container, mix the gold luster dust with a few drops of clear alcohol to create a paintable consistency. Carefully paint the letters with the gold mixture and allow them to dry completely. This will give your monogram a luxurious and elegant finish.

Finally, you can attach the monogram to your wedding cake. If you're transporting the cake, it's best to attach the monogram at the venue to avoid any damage. Simply place the monogram on the cake, positioning it centrally and securely. You can add additional decorations around the monogram, such as fresh flowers or macarons, to enhance the overall design of your wedding cake.

Creating a monogram with royal icing

Firstly, you will need to gather your equipment and ingredients. For this project, you will require a borderless cookie sheet, a plaque cookie cutter, wax paper, light pink sanding sugar, light pink disco dust, a printout of the chosen letter for your monogram, and stiff royal icing in a colour of your choice. You may also wish to add some super white colouring to your icing to enhance the whiteness.

To begin, prepare your workspace by taping a sheet of wax paper to your borderless cookie sheet. Print out the monogram letter in the size you require and tape this to the wax paper. You can choose to print multiple copies of the letter, or simply move the paper around as needed, tracing over the letter with stiff royal icing. If you wish to add sanding sugar to your monogram, use the same stiff icing to fill in the letter; otherwise, use a medium-consistency royal icing for a smoother look.

Next, cover the monogram letter with sanding sugar if desired, and wait 20-30 minutes before gently removing the excess. Use a small, stiff brush to remove any remaining sugar from the sides of the letter, ensuring it retains its shape. Allow the letters to dry for 6-12 hours before removing the wax paper from the back. Practise positioning your monogram on an un-iced cookie to get a feel for the placement.

Once you are happy with the positioning, outline the plaque cookie with stiff white royal icing. Fill in your cookies with flood consistency royal icing, and carefully place your monogram on top. Wait about 1-2 hours, then outline the cookie and add disco dust for a sparkly effect. Allow the cookie to dry for 24 hours, then carefully shake off any excess disco dust.

Your monogram is now complete and ready to be placed on your wedding cake! This elegant decoration is sure to be a show-stopping addition to your special day.

Adding decorations to the monogrammed cake

Once you've baked and monogrammed your wedding cake, it's time to decorate! Here are some ideas to add that extra special touch:

Flowers

Fresh flowers are a beautiful way to decorate your wedding cake. Choose blooms that complement your wedding colour palette, or opt for classic white or pastel shades. You can also use sugar flowers for a long-lasting decoration.

Gold Leaf

For a touch of glamour, add some gold leaf details to your cake. This works especially well with a white cake, creating an elegant and luxurious look.

Macarons and Meringues

For a whimsical and tasty treat, decorate your cake with macarons and meringues. Choose a variety of colours and flavours to delight your guests.

Fresh Fruit

Add a touch of freshness to your cake with strawberry halves or other fresh fruit. This is a great way to add colour and a bit of sweetness to your design.

Cake Topper

A cake topper can be a fun way to add a personal touch. Choose a love bird cake topper for a traditional look, or go for a modern geode topper for a more contemporary feel.

Fondant

Covering your cake in fondant provides a smooth finish and a blank canvas for further decorations. You can also add monogram details or other designs to the fondant itself.

When adding decorations to your monogrammed wedding cake, consider the overall style or theme of your wedding, and choose colours and elements that will tie your cake in with the rest of your celebration. Remember, this is your special day, so have fun and get creative!

Frequently asked questions