Creating A Three-Tiered Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making a three-layer wedding cake is no easy feat, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be a rewarding experience. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a beautiful and delicious wedding cake.

Planning and Preparation:

- Choose your cake flavours and fillings: Consider classic combinations like chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and mocha filling, or red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours for each layer.

- Determine the size of your cake: A standard three-layer wedding cake typically consists of 6, 8 and 10 tiers, yielding approximately 90 servings. Adjust the sizes according to the number of guests you need to serve.

- Gather the right tools and ingredients: Ensure you have all the necessary cake pans, a rotating cake turntable, cake circles or boards, support dowels or straws, a cake leveler, and a long central dowel for added stability. Don't forget to stock up on enough ingredients for your cake batter and frosting.

- Plan your timeline: Making a wedding cake can be time-consuming, so create a schedule that allows for baking, assembling, and decorating the cake without feeling rushed.

Baking and Assembling:

- Make your cake layers in advance: Bake your cake layers a few days ahead and properly wrap and freeze them to lock in moisture. This will result in delicious and moist cake layers.

- Prepare your frosting: Make a large batch of frosting, such as American buttercream, ahead of time. You'll need about one batch of frosting per batch of cake batter.

- Add supports to your tiers: Use wooden dowels or bubble tea straws as supports to ensure your cake can bear its weight and maintain its shape. Insert a central wooden dowel to keep the tiers centred and stable during transportation.

- Assemble your cake: Stack and frost your cake layers, using a crumb coat as a base. Chill the cake to set the crumb coat before applying the final coat of frosting. Repeat this process for each tier.

- Add fresh flowers or decorations: Fresh flowers or edible decorations can be added to your cake for a elegant finishing touch. If using fresh flowers, add them as close to the event as possible to prevent wilting.

Transporting and Displaying:

- Transport your cake safely: Use a sturdy cake box to transport your assembled cake to the venue. Hold the cake in your lap during transportation to minimise movement and protect it from sudden stops or potholes.

- Let the cake sit: If possible, bring your cake to the venue early and let it sit at room temperature until it's time to cut and serve. A well-supported cake should hold its shape just fine.

Creating a three-layer wedding cake requires time, patience, and attention to detail. By following these steps and allowing yourself enough time to practice and prepare, you'll be well on your way to crafting a stunning and memorable wedding cake.

Choosing a flavour combination: chocolate and chocolate ganache, orange and vanilla, or red velvet and cream cheese

When it comes to choosing a flavour combination for your three-layer wedding cake, there are several options to consider, each offering a unique taste experience. Here is a detailed guide to help you decide between chocolate with chocolate ganache, orange with vanilla, or red velvet with cream cheese.

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache:

Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache is a classic choice for a wedding cake. The rich, indulgent flavour of chocolate is a crowd favourite and can be tailored to your taste. When making a chocolate cake, you can opt for dark, milk, or white chocolate, each offering a distinct taste and appearance. For the ganache, a 2:1 ratio of chocolate to cream is ideal for creating a stable and smooth finish. This combination provides a sleek and elegant look, making it perfect for a wedding cake.

Orange Cake with Vanilla Frosting:

If you're looking for a fresh and tangy flavour, an orange cake with vanilla frosting is an excellent choice. The bright, citrusy notes of orange create a cheerful and vibrant atmosphere for your special day. When preparing an orange cake, use fresh oranges to infuse their natural flavour into the batter and frosting. This combination offers a light and fluffy texture, similar to a sponge cake, creating a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience for your guests.

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:

Red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting is a unique and eye-catching option for your wedding cake. The cake has a mild cocoa and sweet vanilla flavour, with a dense yet soft and moist texture. The addition of cream cheese frosting brings a tangy and creamy element to the dessert. Red velvet cake is said to have originated during the Great Depression, and its distinctive red hue makes it a popular choice for celebrations.

Each of these flavour combinations offers a distinct experience that can enhance the overall theme and atmosphere of your wedding. Consider your personal preferences, the season, and the overall tone of your wedding when making your decision. Remember, the cake is a focal point of the reception, and choosing a flavour that your guests will rave about is essential!

Preparing in advance: cakes can be frozen, and it's best to get the right amount of ingredients

Preparing in advance is a great way to save time and make the overall task of baking a three-layer wedding cake more manageable. Cakes can be frozen, and it is best to get the right amount of ingredients. Here are some tips on how to prepare in advance:

Baking Cakes in Advance

Baking the cakes in advance and freezing them can save time and make the process less overwhelming. It is recommended to wrap the cakes tightly in plastic and store them in the freezer for up to a week. Working with frozen cake layers is easier as they are less prone to crumbling, and the crumb coat will be easier to apply. It is also best to freeze the cakes before levelling them and splitting the layers. This will reduce air exposure, keeping the cake fresher, and save you the trouble of wrapping extra layers. Just ensure that you have enough space in your freezer.

Getting the Right Amount of Ingredients

It is important to calculate the amount of cake batter and frosting needed for each tier of the wedding cake. This will ensure you have enough ingredients and reduce waste. For example, if using a 10-inch, 8-inch, and 6-inch tier, you will need approximately 24 cups of cake batter: 4 cups for the top tier, 7-8 cups for the middle tier, and 12 cups for the bottom tier. Similarly, you will need 12-18 cups of buttercream frosting. By doubling or tripling a basic recipe, you can ensure you have the right amount.

Making Frosting in Advance

Similar to cake layers, frosting can also be made in advance. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. This will save you time and ensure you have enough frosting for the entire cake.

Assembly: use a cake turntable, dowels and a central wooden dowel for support

A cake turntable, dowels, and a central wooden dowel are essential for assembling a three-layer wedding cake. Here's a detailed guide on how to use these tools for a stable and elegant cake:

Assembly: Using a Cake Turntable, Dowels, and a Central Wooden Dowel for Support

A three-layer wedding cake requires proper assembly to ensure stability and an elegant presentation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a cake turntable, dowels, and a central wooden dowel for support:

• Prepare the Cake Turntable: Begin by placing your bottom tier cake on a cake turntable. This will make it easier to work on the cake and create a smooth and even finish. The turntable allows you to rotate the cake as you work, ensuring a consistent application of frosting or decorations.
• Mark the Center and Outline of the Next Tier: Use a ruler to mark the center of your bottom tier and roughly outline where the next tier will sit. This will guide you in placing the support dowels in the correct positions.
• Cut and Insert the Dowels: Cut the dowels to the height of the tier they will be supporting. For example, if you are using a 10-inch cake pan, cut the dowels to that exact height. Mark the spots for the dowels, ensuring they are at least 1/4 inch inside the outline of the next tier. Insert the dowels into the cake, spacing them evenly and pushing them straight down.
• Center the Middle Dowel: Use a ruler or a small 2-directional level to help center the middle dowel. This will ensure that your tiers are level and the central dowel is straight.
• Slide on the Next Tier: Carefully center the next tier on top of the middle dowel and gently slide it down. Make sure it is centered on the base tier.
• Repeat for Additional Tiers: If you have more than two tiers, repeat the above steps for each additional tier. Always work from the bottom tier upwards.
• Final Touches: Once all the tiers are stacked, you can add any desired decorations, such as fresh flowers, frosting swirls, or a cake topper.

Using a cake turntable, dowels, and a central wooden dowel provides stability and ensures your three-layer wedding cake holds its shape. It is important to measure and cut the dowels accurately and to use a sufficient number of dowels to support the weight of each tier. Assembling the cake on a turntable allows for easy rotation and a smooth, professional finish.

Transporting: use a cake box and hold the cake in your lap during the trip

Transporting a wedding cake can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right preparation, you can ensure that your cake arrives at the venue in one piece. Here are some tips for transporting a three-layer wedding cake in a cake box on your lap:

• Use a sturdy cake box: Choose a box that is the same size as the base of your cake to prevent sliding. A sturdy cardboard box or a specialised cake box will work well.
• Prepare your vehicle: Make sure your vehicle has enough flat space to accommodate the cake box. Clean out the back of your car and vacuum it to remove any dust or grit. Place a non-skid drawer or shelf liner in the centre of the trunk area to keep the cake from sliding.
• Chill the cake: Chilling the cake will help it hold its shape and prevent it from becoming too soft during transport. Place the cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Secure the cake: Use wooden dowels or straws to secure each layer of the cake to the base and to each other. This will prevent the layers from shifting or sliding during transport.
• Drive carefully: When transporting the cake, drive slowly and avoid sudden stops or sharp turns. Have someone hold the cake box steady to ensure it stays in place.
• Touch-ups: Bring extra frosting and decorating tools with you to make any necessary touch-ups or repairs to the cake once you arrive at the venue.

Finishing touches: add fresh flowers the day of the event

Fresh flowers are a beautiful way to finish off your three-tier wedding cake. They add a natural, elegant touch to your cake and can complement your wedding bouquet and venue decorations.

Choosing Your Flowers

When choosing flowers for your cake, opt for blooms that match your wedding bouquet or the flowers used in other decorations at your venue. Roses, ranunculus, sunflowers, and eucalyptus are all popular choices, but you can select any flowers that suit your taste and theme. If you're using a florist, ask them to provide extra flowers to match your other arrangements.

You can also get creative and use sugar flowers or flowers made from other edible materials, such as fondant or icing. These can be made well in advance and will not wilt on the day.

Preparing the Flowers

Fresh flowers should be purchased the day before the event and kept in water overnight. The morning of the event, trim the flowers to have stems of about one inch in length. Wrap the stem of each flower with floral tape to prevent any flower stem fluid from leaching into the cake, as this can cause a bitter taste.

Adding the Flowers to the Cake

To secure the flowers to the sides of the cake, you can use clear bubble tea straws. These thick, plastic straws create the perfect opening for a flower stem and allow you to place flowers into the cake at different angles. They are also useful for supporting the weight of the cake tiers. Alternatively, you can use wooden dowels, but these are harder to cut.

Final Checks

Once you've added the flowers, give the cake a final check to ensure it looks exactly as you want it to. Take some photos to remember your handiwork, and then it's ready to be enjoyed by the happy couple and their guests!

Frequently asked questions