Creating A Sugar-Free Wedding Cake: A Healthy Celebration

A wedding cake is a centrepiece at any wedding reception, and it is important that it not only looks the part but tastes delicious too. If you are making a wedding cake, you will need to set aside plenty of time to make, assemble, and decorate the cake. You will also need to ensure that you have all the right equipment, such as cake boards, turntables, spatulas, and dowels.

When it comes to the cake itself, there are many different flavours and styles to choose from. If you want to make a sugar-free wedding cake, you could try a vanilla cake with monk fruit as a sugar substitute, or a gluten-free, vegan cake made with white rice flour and cornstarch. You could even make a sugar-free chocolate avocado pudding cake or a low-carb peanut butter chocolate cake.

Whatever flavour you choose, be sure to follow the recipe carefully and give yourself plenty of time to decorate and assemble the cake.

Sugar alternatives

Monk Fruit

Monk fruit is a small round fruit in the gourd family, native to eastern medicine. Its sweetness comes from antioxidants called mogrosides, and it has zero calories and carbs, making it a suitable option for diabetics. Monk fruit can be used as a direct substitute for sugar in baking, and it bakes beautifully, resulting in a fine, tender, and flavorful cake.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is another option that is lower on the glycemic index. It can be used in place of brown sugar and will give your cake a slightly golden brown color and a brown sugar flavor.

Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweetener

This brand of monk fruit sweetener has fewer additives compared to other options on the market. It can be used in combination with a powdered monk fruit product to create a sugar-free cake with a light and fluffy texture.

Stevia

Stevia is a popular sugar alternative that is often used in baking. However, some people may find that it leaves an aftertaste, so it may not be the best option for those seeking a more traditional cake flavor.

Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sugar substitute. It has a similar texture to sugar, but it is important to note that it does not dissolve as easily, so it may affect the texture of your cake.

Xylitol

Xylitol is another sugar alcohol that can be used as a sugar substitute. It has a similar sweetness level to sugar but contains fewer calories. However, it can have a cooling effect on baked goods, so it may not be the best option for those seeking a traditional cake flavor.

When choosing a sugar alternative for your wedding cake, it is important to consider the flavor and texture you are aiming for. Some alternatives may work better than others depending on the recipe and your personal preferences. It may take some experimentation to find the perfect combination that tastes great and meets your dietary needs.

Ingredients

Sugar-Free Vanilla Cake:

• Lakanto monk fruit sweetener and powdered sugar version
• Unsalted butter
• Grapeseed oil
• Eggs
• Cake flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Vanilla extract
• Buttermilk
• Sour cream

Sugar-Free White Cake:

• Butter or shortening
• Sugar alternative
• Baking powder
• Egg whites
• Milk (full-fat or low-sugar)
• Vanilla extract

Sugar-Free Cake:

• Unsweetened applesauce
• Vegetable oil
• Liquid sweetener
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Ground nutmeg
• Walnuts

Vegan Gluten-Free Vanilla Wedding Cake:

• White rice flour
• Cornstarch
• Fine pure cane sugar
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Fine salt
• Full-fat coconut milk
• Liquid coconut butter
• Vanilla extract

Gluten-Free Low-Carb Birthday Cake:

• Almond flour
• Coconut flour
• Whey protein powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Xanthan gum
• Buttermilk
• Heavy whipping cream
• Low-carb powdered sugar
• Lemon zest

Baking

Ingredients:

For the cake, you will need:

• Butter or shortening
• Sugar alternative (use a granular alternative that is measured 1:1 with sugar to keep your batter volume right)
• Baking powder
• Egg whites
• Milk (use a fuller-fat milk for a more moist cake or a low-sugar milk like unsweetened almond milk to keep the sugar content low)
• Vanilla extract
• Flour (all-purpose flour or cake flour)
• Salt

For the frosting, you will need:

• Butter
• Sugar alternative
• Heavy whipping cream
• Vanilla extract
• Lemon zest (optional)
• Xanthan gum (optional)

• Preheat your oven to 325-350°F.
• Prepare your cake pans by greasing and flouring them or using buttered parchment paper. You can use round pans (8-inch, 9-inch, or 10-inch) or square pans (6-inch, 8-inch, or 10-inch).
• Using a stand mixer, cream together the butter or shortening and sugar alternative until fluffy.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• In another bowl, combine the egg whites, milk, and vanilla extract.
• Add half of your flour mixture and half of the egg white mixture to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix gently, then add the remaining ingredients to the bowl, scraping down the sides as needed.
• Transfer the batter to your prepared cake pans, ensuring that you evenly disperse the batter.
• Bake your cake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool for at least 10-15 minutes in the pan before removing it onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Once the cake is completely cool, wrap each layer individually in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to frost.

Frosting the Cake:

• Prepare your frosting by beating together the butter and sugar alternative until light and fluffy. You can also add heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest for a whipped cream frosting.
• Using an offset spatula, apply a thin layer of frosting to the cake, also known as a crumb coat. This will seal in the crumbs and create a smooth base for your final layer of frosting.
• Chill the cake in the refrigerator until the crumb coat is firm.
• Apply your final layer of frosting and smooth it out using a bench scraper or icing smoother.
• For a super smooth finish, chill the frosted cake for about 15 minutes, then gently apply a Viva paper towel to the surface of the cake and smooth it out with a fondant smoother.
• Repeat the frosting process for each layer of your wedding cake.

Assembling the Wedding Cake:

• Use cake boards or cake cardboard rounds under each layer of your cake to provide support and make it easier to transport.
• Use a cake turntable to make frosting and decorating your cake easier.
• Trim a thin layer off the tops of your cake layers to create a flat surface for stacking.
• Insert dowels into the center of each cake tier to provide structure and support, especially if you are stacking multiple tiers.
• Place a piece of parchment paper between the tiers to prevent the top tier from sticking to the frosting on the bottom tier when it is removed.
• Add a dollop of frosting on top of the parchment paper to act as "glue" for the top tier.
• Carefully place the top tier onto the bottom tier, ensuring that it is level and secure.

Decorating the Wedding Cake:

• Use icing tips to create simple designs, such as dots, swirls, or roses, around each tier of the cake.
• Add fresh flowers, sugar flowers, or other decorations to the cake.
• Keep it simple with a smooth, white frosting and a few elegant embellishments.

Storing and Transporting the Wedding Cake:

• Store your frosted cake in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.
• If transporting the cake, use a cake safe or a homemade delivery box to keep it secure and prevent it from sliding or tipping during transport.
• Deliver the cake as close to the event as possible to ensure it stays chilled and fresh.
• Do not deliver the cake too early, as you want it to be at room temperature for a few hours before serving to allow the butter in the cake and frosting to soften.

Assembly

For a tiered cake, you will need to bake multiple cakes in different-sized pans. For instance, for a two-tiered cake, you can bake two 10-inch cakes, two 8-inch cakes, and two 6-inch cakes. You will also need cake boards for each cake size and the bottom layer of each tier.

Before assembling the cake, it is important to level the cakes by trimming a thin layer off the tops to ensure they are flat and even. This can be done using a large serrated knife, gently moving the knife in a sawing motion while rotating the cake.

To assemble the tiers, place a cake layer on a cake board, attaching it with a small amount of buttercream. Repeat this process, adding buttercream to the top of each cake layer and smoothing it out before adding the next layer.

Once all the layers of the first tier are stacked, cover the tier with a thin layer of buttercream, known as a crumb coat, to seal in the crumbs. Refrigerate the tier until the crumb coat is firm.

Repeat the process for the second tier, placing the cake layers on a separate cake board.

To assemble the tiers, it is important to use cake dowels for support. Insert a dowel into the center of the bottom tier and mark where it meets the top of the cake. Remove the dowel and cut it to size. Cut three more dowels to the same length. Insert all four dowels into the cake, keeping them about 2 inches apart.

Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the bottom tier, in the center, to prevent the top tier from sticking to the buttercream. Add a dollop of frosting to the center of the parchment paper to act as "glue" for the top tier.

Carefully place the second tier on top of the first, ensuring it is centered.

You can decorate the cake as desired, using buttercream, fondant, or fresh flowers.

It is recommended to assemble the cake as close to the event as possible, preferably within a day, to ensure the cake stays fresh.

Decoration

Decorating a wedding cake is a fun and creative process. Here are some tips and ideas to help you achieve a beautiful and elegant finish:

• Fondant: Using fondant is a great way to create a smooth and flawless finish on your wedding cake. Work with a chilled cake and use fondant smoothers to remove any wrinkles or imperfections. Fondant can also be used to create intricate designs, such as lace or floral patterns.
• Buttercream Frosting: Buttercream frosting can be used to create a simple and elegant finish. Use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. You can also pipe buttercream flowers or other decorations onto the cake.
• Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers can add a natural and romantic touch to your wedding cake. Choose flowers that complement your wedding colour palette, and be sure to use food-safe flowers that are safe for consumption.
• Sugar Flowers: If you want a longer-lasting option, sugar flowers are a beautiful alternative to fresh flowers. These can be made from sugar paste or fondant and can be created well in advance of the wedding.
• Dried Flowers/Herbs: Dried flowers or herbs, such as lavender, baby's breath, or rosemary, can add a unique and rustic touch to your wedding cake. They also provide a subtle fragrance.
• Edible Glitter/Dust: For a subtle sparkle, you can use edible glitter or dust on your wedding cake. This can be brushed onto fondant or buttercream for a magical effect.
• Cake Toppers: Cake toppers can be a fun or elegant way to decorate your wedding cake. You can find a variety of options, from monograms to laser-cut wooden toppers to gold or silver figurines.
• Fresh Fruit: Fresh fruit, such as berries, can be used as a natural and colourful decoration. They can be placed on top of the cake or used as a filling between layers.
• Gold/Silver Leaf: For a luxurious touch, you can use gold or silver leaf to decorate your wedding cake. It can be applied to fondant or buttercream for a glamorous finish.
• Ribbons/Fabric: Ribbons or fabric can be used to add texture and elegance to your wedding cake. Choose colours that complement your wedding theme, and be sure to use food-safe materials that are safe for contact with the cake.
• Chocolate Decorations: Chocolate can be used to create a variety of decorations, such as curls, shavings, or moulded shapes. It can be drizzled over the cake or used as a garnish.
• Sugar Pearls/Sprinkles: Sugar pearls or sprinkles can be used to add a touch of sparkle and texture to your wedding cake. They come in various colours and sizes, so you can find ones that match your theme.

Remember to keep the overall theme and colour palette of your wedding in mind when decorating your cake. You can also create a focal point by adding a dramatic cake topper or a cascade of fresh flowers. Ultimately, the decoration should reflect your personal style and taste, so feel free to be creative and experiment with different techniques and ideas.

Frequently asked questions