Creating A Dream Wedding Cake With Styrofoam

Styrofoam wedding cakes are a great option for those who want a visually impressive cake without the cost and hassle of a real, multi-tiered cake. This type of cake is usually made from tiers of Styrofoam, with perhaps one edible tier for the couple to cut into and share. This approach can be more cost-effective, especially if you have a large guest list, as you can serve a less expensive sheet cake to your guests without them ever knowing! You can also avoid the stress of dealing with a large, real cake, as Styrofoam cakes are easy to assemble and transport.

Styrofoam cake dummies

Planning and Preparation:

Before you begin, it's important to plan and gather the necessary materials. Determine the number of guests and the desired size of the cake. Source the required styrofoam cake dummies in the appropriate sizes and quantities. You can find these at specialty kitchen or craft stores, or online retailers like Amazon. Other materials include a sturdy cake board or drum, non-edible sturdy icing, and decorative elements like flowers.

Assembly:

Start by preparing the edible top layer cake and frosting. Set it aside. Take your cake board and place a couple of swipes of store-bought frosting on it to act as glue for the base styrofoam layer. Firmly press the largest styrofoam layer onto the board. You can use strips of parchment paper underneath to keep the board clean. Frost the base layer, including the top surface, and smooth or add texture as desired. Repeat this process for all additional styrofoam layers.

Final Touches:

Once all the layers are frosted, it's time to assemble the edible top layer. Spend extra time on this layer to ensure it is ultra-symmetrical and level. Use sturdy spatulas and an extra pair of hands to carefully centre and stack the layers. Clean up any imperfections and seal the seams between the layers with a small spoon or piping beads.

About an hour before the wedding, add fresh flowers or other decorations to the cake. Consider placing flowers between layers to cover seams and create a cohesive look between the styrofoam and edible layers. Feel free to experiment with asymmetrical floral arrangements for added interest and balance.

Benefits of Styrofoam Cake Dummies:

Using styrofoam cake dummies offers several advantages. They are lightweight and easy to transport, reducing the risk of toppling during delivery. The dummy cake can be assembled on-site, ensuring a stress-free setup. Additionally, the styrofoam layers provide structural support, allowing you to use moist and dense cake recipes without worrying about collapse. The dummy cake can also serve as a stunning display throughout the wedding, while sheet cakes or pre-cut slices can be served to the guests.

Edible top layer

If you want to make a styrofoam wedding cake with an edible top layer, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, purchase your styrofoam cake rounds. These can be found at specialty kitchen or craft stores, or on Amazon. You will need three layers of styrofoam, each one smaller than the last, to create the tiered effect. The most common heights for styrofoam cake dummies are 3 and 4 inches. Once you have your styrofoam layers, you can begin to prepare your edible top layer.

For the edible top layer, you will need to bake a cake. The size of the cake will depend on the number of guests you need to serve. A good rule of thumb is to allow for a 3" x 1.5" rectangular slice per guest. So, for example, if you have 50 guests, you will need a cake that yields at least 75 rectangular slices. This can be achieved by making multiple cakes of the same size, which can be assembled and frosted on-site.

When it comes to the flavour of your cake, choose something that is moist and dense, as this will hold up better under the weight of the frosting and decorations. A good option is Italian Cream Cake. You can make the cake layers in advance, wrap them in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze them until you are ready to assemble the cake.

On the day of assembly, prepare your frosting. You will need a sturdy icing that is not meant for eating to coat the styrofoam layers, and a separate, edible frosting for the edible top layer. Try to match the colour of the edible frosting as closely as possible to the colour of the sturdy icing used on the styrofoam layers.

Now it's time to start assembling your cake! Place a couple of swipes of the store-bought frosting on a 14" white drum or cakeboard to act as glue for the base styrofoam layer. Place the largest styrofoam layer on the board and press firmly to secure it in place. Add strips of parchment paper underneath the base cake to keep the board clean.

Frost the base styrofoam layer using the store-bought frosting, including the top of the cake. Smooth the frosting and add texture as desired. Carefully remove the parchment paper scraps. Repeat this process for all additional styrofoam layers.

For the edible top layer, assemble and frost the cake with the homemade frosting. Spend a little extra time on this layer to ensure it is ultra-symmetrical, levelling off the cake layers if needed. If cake transportation is not an issue, you can assemble this layer the day before the wedding for easy on-site assembly.

Finally, using sturdy spatulas (and an extra person if possible), carefully pick up the edible cake layer and centre it on top of the styrofoam layers. Clean up any mishaps with a small spoon or piping bag, running beads of frosting between the layers to seal the seams.

Your styrofoam wedding cake with an edible top layer is now ready to be decorated!

Sturdy non-edible icing

To make a sturdy non-edible icing for your styrofoam wedding cake, you can use a sturdy cream cheese frosting. This type of frosting is light yet sturdy and will hold its shape for several days at room temperature. It can be smoothed to a crisp, hold romantic swoops, or maintain piped swirls.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of heavy cream, chilled
• 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 8 ounces of cream cheese, chilled

Instructions:

• In a stand mixer with a completely cleaned bowl, add cream, powdered sugar, cream of tartar, and extract. Beat on high using the whisk attachment until stiff peaks form, as if you were making whipped cream. It should be stiff yet smooth. If you accidentally beat the cream too long and it starts to curdle towards butter, add a tablespoon or so more of heavy cream to bring it back to the correct consistency. Slowly incorporate. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the chilled cream cheese until it’s spreadable and creamy, about 2 minutes. Test spreadability by dragging a spatula through it.
• Add the cream cheese into the whipped cream mixture and beat at medium speed until completely smooth, still using the whisk attachment. The frosting will be light but very sturdy. Ice cooled cakes or cupcakes immediately.

This recipe yields enough frosting to "naked ice" a 9-inch 2-tiered cake. You can also use this frosting for cupcakes or as a filling between cake layers, but it may not be sturdy enough for multiple layers. It is not recommended to freeze this frosting, as it will sweat when trying to come to room temperature, adding moisture and weakening the structure.

Flowers and other decorations

When decorating the cake, adding flowers between the layers can help to cover any seams and create a cohesive look with the edible top layer. Try an asymmetrical flower arrangement to create a sense of balance and interest. You can also use other decorations, such as ribbons, sprinkles, icing tools, edible glitter, pastry fillings, cake stencils, and sugar paste sculptures. These additional decorations will enhance the overall design and visual appeal of the cake.

For a smooth finish to your styrofoam cake, use a sturdy icing that is not meant for eating. This will also help to adhere the flowers and other decorations to the cake. When choosing the colour of the icing, try to match it as closely as possible to the icing used on the edible top layer for a cohesive look.

With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a beautiful and elegant styrofoam wedding cake that will stand beautifully throughout the wedding celebration.

Sheet cakes for serving

Sheet cakes are a great way to serve a large number of guests at a wedding without sacrificing taste or aesthetics. Here are some tips and suggestions for using sheet cakes for serving at your wedding:

Number of Guests

Firstly, consider the number of guests you will be serving. Sheet cakes come in various sizes, including quarter, half, and full sheets. A quarter sheet cake, typically measuring 9"x13", can serve up to 20 people. A half-sheet cake, measuring around 11" x 15", can serve about 30 to 50 people. A full sheet cake, usually measuring 18"x24", can serve up to 100 people.

Portion Guidelines

It is important to consider the type of event when determining portion sizes. Wedding servings are typically smaller, with slices measuring 1 inch by 2 inches. For other parties or events, servings are generally larger, with slices measuring 2 inches by 2 inches.

Cake Flavour and Texture

When choosing a sheet cake, consider the cake's flavour and texture. Rich and dense cakes can be served in smaller portions. You can also pair the sheet cake with other desserts such as cookies, cupcakes, or chocolates to extend the servings and offer a variety of options to your guests.

Cutting Techniques

To maximize the number of servings from your sheet cake, consider using specific cutting techniques. The grid pattern cutting method involves marking the cake with a ruler and cutting horizontal and vertical lines to create equally portioned servings. The roundabout approach involves cutting the cake into slices from the centre, resembling a clock face. This method is ideal for round sheet cakes and minimizes mess.

Timing and Storage

If you are baking the sheet cakes yourself, it is essential to plan and test your recipes beforehand. Practice your frosting technique, and consider making the cake layers in advance. Wrap the layers in plastic wrap and foil and store them in the freezer until assembly. This will save you time and ensure that the cakes stay fresh.

Presentation

While sheet cakes are a practical solution for serving a large number of guests, you may want to consider the presentation to ensure it aligns with the aesthetics of your wedding. You can decorate the sheet cakes with flowers, icing, or other toppings to match the theme of your wedding. Additionally, consider using roaming servers to offer cake to your guests, creating a more elegant and intimate experience.

Frequently asked questions