Sheet Cake Secrets For A Wedding Feast

Sheet cakes are a great way to save money on your wedding cake without sacrificing the look of a traditional tiered cake. The top tier can be real, for the couple to cut, and the bottom tiers can be fake, made of styrofoam, with sheet cakes cut and served to guests in the kitchen. This is a common practice and guests often don't know the difference. Sheet cakes can also be used as a standalone option, with a small cake for the couple to cut. This is a cost-effective solution, as the bulk of the price of a cake goes into decorating and assembly, and sheet cakes are easier to transport and serve.

Choosing a sheet cake flavour

Choosing a flavour for your wedding cake is an important decision. You want to select something that you and your guests will enjoy, but with so many options available, it can be challenging to narrow down your choices. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect sheet cake flavour for your wedding:

• Consider your preferences: Think about the flavours you and your partner enjoy. If you have a favourite cake flavour, it may be a good option for your wedding cake. Vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot cake, and lemon cake are popular choices for wedding cakes.
• Think about the filling: The filling can add a lot of flavour to your sheet cake. Some options to consider include lemon curd, buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or fruit preserves. You can also get creative and choose a unique filling that reflects your personality or cultural background.
• Seasonality: Consider the time of year for your wedding. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, you might want to choose a lighter, fruit-based flavour. In contrast, a rich chocolate cake could be perfect for a winter wedding.
• Guest preferences: While it's impossible to please everyone, you may want to consider any dietary restrictions or allergies your guests may have. For example, if you know some of your guests are vegan or gluten-intolerant, you could offer a cake with vegan or gluten-free options.
• Cake texture: In addition to flavour, think about the texture you prefer. Do you like a dense, moist cake, or something lighter and fluffier? The texture of the cake can vary depending on the ingredients and baking techniques used.
• Pairing with other desserts: If you're planning to serve other desserts alongside your sheet cake, consider how the flavours will work together. For example, if you're serving a variety of pies or cookies, you might want to choose a cake flavour that complements those options.
• Availability of ingredients: Some flavours may be more readily available or in season than others, which can impact the cost and freshness of your cake. For example, choosing a cake with fresh strawberries may be more expensive or difficult to source if they're not in season.
• Cost: The cost of ingredients can vary depending on the flavour you choose. If you're on a budget, consider flavours that use more common or affordable ingredients. However, don't compromise on quality – your wedding cake should be delicious and memorable!
• Baker's recommendations: If you're working with a baker, they may have suggestions for flavours that work well for sheet cakes. They can also advise on any flavours that may be more challenging to execute or less suitable for a large number of guests.

Picking a sheet cake filling

When it comes to picking a filling for your sheet cake, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a flavour that complements the cake itself. If you're making a chocolate sheet cake, for instance, you might want to fill it with a rich, creamy ganache. If you're making a vanilla sheet cake, you could opt for a fruity filling such as lemon curd or raspberry jam.

Another thing to consider is the texture of the filling. Do you want something smooth and creamy, like buttercream or cream cheese frosting? Or would you prefer a chunkier filling with more bite, such as a cookie butter or a fruit compote?

• Lemon curd
• Raspberry jam
• Chocolate ganache
• Cream cheese frosting
• Cookie butter
• Fruit compote
• Pastry cream
• Caramel sauce

You could also layer multiple fillings together to create a more complex and interesting flavour profile. For example, you could pair a chocolate ganache with a raspberry jam, or a cream cheese frosting with a fruit compote.

Ultimately, the filling you choose for your sheet cake is a matter of personal preference. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavours and textures until you find the perfect combination for your wedding cake.

Making a small cake for display

• Plan the size of your cake: Consider the number of guests you will be serving and choose a cake size that is slightly larger to ensure everyone gets a piece. A good rule of thumb is to plan for 30-35 guests per tier if you are making a tiered cake.
• Choose your cake flavour: Opt for a classic flavour such as vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet to please a variety of tastes. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours, such as carrot cake or lemon cake.
• Prepare the cake pans: Line your round pans with parchment paper rounds before adding the batter. Grease the pans with butter or non-stick spray and then add the parchment paper rounds. This will ensure the cakes release seamlessly from the pans.
• Make the batter: Use high-quality ingredients such as room-temperature butter, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, and milk. Measure the ingredients carefully and mix them well. You may need to make the batter in separate batches to avoid overloading your mixer.
• Bake the cake: Preheat your oven to the recommended temperature and bake the cakes according to the recipe instructions. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling and decorating.
• Create a crumb coat: Apply a thin layer of frosting to the cakes to protect the outer layer of frosting from catching any crumbs. Refrigerate the cakes to help set the crumb coat.
• Decorate the cake: Use a large icing spatula and a bench scraper to apply the exterior frosting. Create a textured look by using a small icing spatula and running it around the cake while spinning it on a cake turner. You can also pipe dots of frosting or add decorative pieces such as artificial flowers.
• Transport and store the cake: Use cake rounds and bakery boxes or large tupperware to transport the cake to the venue. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve and enjoy it within three days for the best taste and texture.

Decorating a sheet cake

• Keep it simple: A sheet cake is typically cut in the kitchen and served on plates, so you don't need to worry about creating an elaborate design. A simple, elegant design will be more than enough to impress your guests. You can use fresh flowers, fruit, or other simple decorations to add a touch of elegance to your cake.
• Use fondant or buttercream: While fondant gives a smooth, polished look to your cake, buttercream can be just as delicious and decorative. If you choose to use buttercream, consider adding a crumb coat to protect the outer layer of frosting from catching any crumbs. You can also create a textured look by using a small icing spatula and running it around the cake while spinning it on a cake turner, creating beautiful ruffles.
• Add some colour: Consider using food colouring to create a unique and colourful design on your sheet cake. You can match the colours to your wedding theme or simply choose your favourite colours.
• Pipe some details: Using a piping bag and a round piping tip, you can pipe dots of frosting between the tiers and around the bottom of the cake to cover any imperfections and create a polished look. You can also smooth any peaks on these dots by moistening your fingertip with water and gently pressing them down.
• Include some personal touches: Add some personal touches to your sheet cake, such as artificial flowers, macarons, or other decorations that match your wedding theme or your interests. For example, if you love Oreos, you can create a tower of Oreos next to your sheet cake for a fun and unique display.
• Supplement with other desserts: If you want to offer a variety of desserts to your guests, consider adding a dessert table with cupcakes, cookies, or other treats. This can help take the focus off the sheet cake and give your guests more options to choose from.
• Cut the cake in front of your guests: While it is traditional to cut the cake in the kitchen, some couples choose to cut the sheet cake in front of their guests. This can be a fun and interactive experience for your guests, and it ensures that the cake is served fresh and doesn't dry out.

Serving a sheet cake

Sheet cakes are a great way to save money on your wedding cake. Many couples opt for a small tiered cake for display and ceremonial cutting, while guests are served slices of sheet cake. This is a cost-effective option as the bulk of the price of a wedding cake goes into the decorating and assembly, which is the same whether the cake is tiered or not.

There are a few ways to go about this. You could have a small tiered cake that serves you, your new spouse, and the wedding party, with sheet cakes for the rest of the guests. Alternatively, you could have a two-tiered cake that serves around 50 people, with sheet cakes to make up the difference. The sheet cakes can be cut in the kitchen and served to guests without them knowing the difference.

Some couples choose to have a fake tier of cake made from styrofoam, which is decorated to match the real cake. This can be a good option if you want the look of a large, impressive cake without the cost. However, it may not actually save you much money, as your baker will still need to decorate the fake tier.

If you're looking to save money, it's worth considering where you buy your sheet cakes from. Some couples choose to get their sheet cakes from grocery stores or warehouse clubs, which can be much cheaper than a specialty bakery. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your budget and how important the look of the cake is to you.

Frequently asked questions