Make Your Wedding Cake Ahead: Tips And Tricks

Making a wedding cake can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and preparation, it is certainly achievable. Here are some tips to help you make a wedding cake ahead of time:

- Consider the number of guests and the size of the cake: Determine the expected number of guests and decide on the number of tiers and the size of each tier to ensure there is enough cake for everyone.

- Pick an attainable cake design: Opt for a simple cake design that you feel confident in making. Practice the design and decoration beforehand to increase your confidence and ensure the process goes smoothly.

- Use real, fresh flowers to decorate: Fresh flowers are a beautiful and easy way to decorate a wedding cake. They require less skill and time compared to sugar paste or buttercream flowers.

- Pick your favourite flavour: Choose a flavour that you and your partner love. Making the entire cake in a single flavour can simplify the process.

- Use a frosting you are comfortable with: American buttercream is a popular choice as it is easy to make and decorate with.

- Make the cake layers in advance: Cake layers can be baked weeks ahead of time and frozen. This helps distribute the workload and gives you more time to focus on decoration.

- Assemble the cake ahead of time: Consider assembling the tiered cake 1-3 days before the event. This allows you to spend more time with family and friends and gives you flexibility for last-minute preparations.

- Store the cake properly: If the cake is not delivered immediately, store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat. If using perishable ingredients, refrigeration may be necessary.

- Practice and planning: Practising the cake-making process beforehand will help you refine your techniques and identify any potential challenges. Planning the timeline and required materials will ensure a smooth execution.

Bake, cool, and wrap cake layers

Baking, cooling, and wrapping the cake layers is an important step in the wedding cake-making process. Here's a detailed guide to help you with this:

Baking the Cake Layers:

Before you start baking, it's a good idea to have a clear timeline and plan for your cake-making process. This will help you stay organised and ensure you're not rushed. Here are the key steps to follow when baking the cake layers:

• Preheat your oven: Make sure your oven is at the correct temperature before you start baking. This is crucial for the cake layers to bake evenly.
• Prepare your cake pans: Grease your cake pans with butter or non-stick spray, and line the bottoms with parchment paper. This will ensure the cake layers don't stick to the pans.
• Mix the batter: Follow your chosen recipe to prepare the cake batter. It's important to accurately measure and mix the ingredients to ensure the cake layers turn out well.
• Pour the batter into the pans: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and tap the pans gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
• Bake the cake layers: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake according to your recipe's instructions. Keep an eye on the cakes to ensure they don't overbake.

Cooling the Cake Layers:

Proper cooling is essential to ensure the cake layers are stable and easy to work with. Here's what you should do:

• Remove from the oven: Take the cake layers out of the oven when they're done and place them on wire racks.
• Let them cool in the pans: Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans for a few minutes before removing them. This helps prevent the cakes from collapsing or drying out.
• Turn them out and cool completely: After a few minutes, carefully turn the cake layers out of the pans and onto wire racks. Let them cool completely at room temperature. This step is crucial, as warm cake layers can cause condensation and affect the frosting process later.

Wrapping the Cake Layers:

Wrapping the cake layers properly will help keep them fresh and moist, whether you plan to use them immediately or store them for later. Here's how to do it:

• Prepare the wrapping materials: Gather plastic wrap, aluminium foil, and ziplock bags or airtight containers.
• Wrap in plastic: Once the cake layers are completely cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Make sure there are no gaps or openings.
• Add a layer of foil: For added protection, wrap the plastic-wrapped cake layers in aluminium foil. This creates a barrier to prevent moisture loss and keeps the cakes fresh.
• Store in an airtight container: Place the wrapped cake layers in ziplock bags or airtight containers.
• Freeze or store at room temperature: If you plan to use the cake layers within a day or two, you can store them at room temperature. For longer storage, place them in the freezer. Properly wrapped cake layers can be frozen for up to two months without losing freshness or taste.

By following these steps, you'll have perfectly baked, cooled, and wrapped cake layers that are ready for the next steps in your wedding cake-making process!

Store unfrosted cake layers at room temperature for a day or two.

If you're making a wedding cake, storing unfrosted cake layers at room temperature for a day or two is a great option. Here's what you need to know:

First, make sure your cake layers are completely cooled before storing them. This is crucial, as storing warm cakes can lead to excess condensation, resulting in a soggy cake. Once your cakes are cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. This will protect them from drying out or absorbing other flavours from the fridge.

Storing your unfrosted cake layers at room temperature is a good option if you're decorating within a day or two. This method ensures your cakes are at room temperature when you're ready to decorate, which is important because frosting a cold cake can be tricky and may result in melting.

However, if you're not planning to decorate for a few days, consider freezing your cake layers instead. Well-wrapped cake layers can be frozen for up to two months and will taste just as fresh when thawed. To freeze, wrap each layer in plastic wrap, then aluminium foil, and place them in an airtight container, such as a ziplock bag.

By properly storing your unfrosted cake layers, you'll have delicious, fresh-tasting cakes ready for decorating when the time comes.

Make buttercream ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.

Making buttercream ahead of time is a great way to save time and stay organised when preparing for a big event like a wedding. Here are some tips to help you make and store buttercream in the refrigerator ahead of time:

Making Buttercream:

Buttercream can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It is recommended to make the buttercream a few days before you plan to decorate the cake. This will give you enough time to bake the cake layers and let them cool completely before assembly and decoration.

Storing Buttercream:

• Place the buttercream in an airtight container: Transfer the buttercream to a large airtight container if you plan to use it all at once. If you anticipate needing smaller amounts for different projects, divide it into smaller containers.
• Label and date your buttercream: It is a good idea to label and date your buttercream, especially if you plan to store it for a long time. This will help you keep track of the type and flavour, and ensure you use it within the recommended time frame.
• Store in the refrigerator: Buttercream can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. It is best to keep it away from strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions to prevent the buttercream from absorbing those scents.
• Bring to room temperature before using: When you are ready to use the buttercream, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come back to room temperature. Then, re-whip it to restore its smooth consistency. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer for this step.

Tips:

• If you are short on time, you can store the buttercream at room temperature for a day, as long as the temperature is not too warm.
• If you have leftover buttercream, you can store it in the freezer for 3-4 months.
• For American or crusting buttercream, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the buttercream before storing it in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can store it in a plastic bag with all the air squeezed out.
• Making buttercream in advance can be helpful, especially if you are decorating a large cake or if you need extra buttercream for any last-minute emergencies or touch-ups.

Add a crumb coat and store in the refrigerator.

Adding a crumb coat and storing your cake in the refrigerator is a great way to keep your cake fresh and make the final layer of frosting smooth. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide:

After filling and frosting your cake with a crumb coat, it can be safely stored in the refrigerator overnight without drying out. The thin layer of buttercream acts as a protective barrier, preserving the moisture in the cake beneath it. Chilling your crumb-coated cake will also help you achieve a smooth final layer of frosting, as it creates a firm structure for you to work on. Even if you don't plan on storing your cake in the fridge overnight, it is highly recommended to chill it for at least 30 minutes before adding the final layer of frosting.

When you're ready to add the final layer of frosting, simply remove your crumb-coated cake from the refrigerator. If you plan on decorating your cake with buttercream piping, sprinkles, or fondant/gum paste accents, it is best to keep the cake chilled until you are finished decorating. This will ensure that your decorations adhere well and that the details of your design are preserved.

If you are transporting your cake, it is best to keep it chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to leave. This will make it easier to handle and transport while keeping all the details of your design intact.

For optimal taste and texture, it is recommended to remove your cake from the refrigerator 1-2 hours before serving, allowing it to come to room temperature. Cakes are usually much softer and taste better at room temperature. However, if your cake has perishable frosting or filling, it should be stored in the refrigerator and taken out only 1-2 hours before serving.

Decorate the cake and store it in the refrigerator

Once you have decorated your wedding cake, the best place to store it is in the refrigerator. This will keep the cake moist and preserve the details of your decoration. If you have used fresh flowers or fresh fruit to decorate your cake, wait until the morning of your wedding to add these final touches, as fresh flowers tend to wilt over time, and fruit is full of liquid. If you have used buttercream, fondant, or ganache, your cake will be safe to store in the refrigerator overnight.

If you are driving your cake to a venue, keep it in the refrigerator until the minute you leave, and then keep the air conditioning on in the car. Cakes are much easier to transport when they are chilled, as this keeps the details of the decoration intact.

If you are concerned about your cake drying out, you can always frost the final layer of the buttercream, add any ganache drips, and store the cake overnight in the refrigerator. Then finish the rest of the decoration the day of the wedding to keep your cake looking fresh.

If you are pushed for time, it is possible to decorate your cake two days in advance, as long as you store it properly. Make sure it is a freshly baked cake and that you wrap it very well so that it does not dry out. If your cake has perishable frosting or filling, it will need to be stored in the refrigerator.

If you are making a practice cake, you can store your crumb-coated cake in the refrigerator overnight without the risk of drying out the cake. The thin layer of buttercream will act as a barrier to preserve the cake underneath and help it maintain its moisture.

Frequently asked questions