Cheese Wedding Cake: A Tasty, Savory Alternative

A wedding cake made of cheese is a fun and creative way to showcase the style and tastes of the happy couple. It's also a great alternative for those with no sweet tooth. A cheese wedding cake is made by stacking wheels of cheese on top of one another, usually on a cake stand or wooden board. The base should be made from the largest and hardest cheese, with the layers graduating to smaller and softer cheeses. It's important to taste the cheeses before buying them and to order them well in advance to ensure they're ripe on the day. Extras such as flowers, fruit, nuts, crackers, and bread can be added to complete the look.

Choosing the right cheeses

Taste

The taste of the cheese is of utmost importance. You want your guests to enjoy the cheese and be amazed by the flavours. It is recommended to source a variety of cheeses, just like you would for a good cheese board. Include different types of cheese such as hard cheese, soft cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, and crumbly cheese. Make sure to taste the cheeses before finalising your selection.

Texture

In addition to taste, the texture of the cheese plays a vital role in the structure of the cake. For the lower layers, opt for harder cheeses as they are easier to stack and provide a solid base. As you move up the tiers, you can choose softer cheeses. However, ensure that each layer can support the weight of the cheese above it. Semi-firm or semi-hard cheeses can be used for the middle layers.

Colour and Appearance

The visual appeal of the cheese cake is also important. Aim for a variety of colours, textures, and shapes to create a stunning display. Consider the size of the cheese wheels, with each layer graduating from large to small, preferably with a 2 cm difference between layers. This creates a traditional wedding cake look and allows for space to decorate each layer.

Quantity

When ordering your cheese, plan for a sufficient quantity. As a guide, allocate around 100g of cheese per guest or a minimum of 4 kg for 50 guests. Consider ordering extra portions of the smaller top-tier cheeses to ensure that all your guests get a taste. Hard cheeses tend to be the most popular, so you may need a larger quantity of those.

Rinds

The type of rind on the cheese can also be a factor in your selection. Bloomy rinds, such as those on Brie and Camembert, have a creamy texture and a white, edible rind. Natural rinds, found on cheeses like Alpine and Tomme, are developed in open air and can be brushed, salted, or washed during the ageing process. Washed rinds, like those on Taleggio and Raclette, have a pungent aroma and meaty flavour, with rinds that range from tacky to dry. Waxed rinds, such as on Gouda and Cheddar, provide an extra layer of protection and come in various colours, though the rind is not typically eaten.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, this is your special day, so choose cheeses that you and your partner will enjoy. Consider your guests' preferences as well, especially if they are not adventurous cheese eaters. You can opt for crowd-pleasers like Brie and Camembert, or go for more unique options like goat cheese or blue cheese.

How to stack the cheese wheels

Stacking the wheels of cheese is an important part of making a wedding cake out of cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, choose a good base for your cheese tower. The base should be the hardest and largest cheese in the stack. Harder cheeses are easier to stack and provide a good foundation for the rest of the tower. If you want to add height to your cake, you can use small cheeses or glass tea-light holders between the layers.

Secondly, as you move up the tower, the cheeses can become softer, as long as they can support the weight of the cheese above. The middle layers can be semi-firm, and the top layer should be the softest cheese. The top cheese should also be the smallest, with a slight height difference to provide a nice structure for decorations.

Thirdly, when stacking the cheese wheels, aim for a difference in diameter of around 2-8 cm between each layer. This creates a wedding cake-like appearance and allows space for garnishes.

Finally, decorate your cheese tower with flowers, fruits, herbs, and other creative toppings. You can also add candles or a cake topper to finish it off.

Remember to plan and order your cheeses in advance to ensure they are ripe and delivered on time for your special day.

Decorating the cake

Now for the fun part: decorating the cake! There is no wrong way to decorate a cheese wheel cake, but there are some tips and tricks to keep in mind. Firstly, consider the colour scheme and overall effect you want to achieve. Unique textures, shapes, and colours can add visual interest to your cake. For example, you could use cheeses like Sparkenhoe Red Leicester or Shropshire Blue to add a pop of colour. Alternatively, you can achieve a similar effect with fruit decorations, such as berries, grapes, figs, or stone fruits.

Fresh flowers, herbs, and greenery can also be used to create a natural, rustic look. Seasonal flowers, such as white lilacs, gardenias, or roses, can add a pop of colour and elegance to your cake. Herbs like rosemary, lavender, or thyme can be used to create wreaths or bouquets to decorate each layer. You could also use mini bunting, cake toppers, ribbons, or pretty labels to add a whimsical touch.

If you want to add height to your cake, you can use small cheeses, glass tea-light holders, or cake separators between the layers. For a unique touch, you could even use a small stand, votive holder, or egg cup to support the layers, especially if you're using softer cheeses that might buckle under the weight.

Remember, less is more when it comes to decorating a cheese wheel cake. You don't want to overwhelm the cheese, which should be the star of the show. Practice restraint and let the cheese shine!

Serving the cake

Serving a wedding cake made of cheese is not quite the same as serving a traditional wedding cake. Here are some tips on how to serve a cheese wedding cake:

Preparation

Before serving, you will need to remove the cake from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. This will ensure the cheese tastes its best. You will also need to provide a large cheese board or cutting board to serve the cheese on. It is also a good idea to have a second cutting board to portion the cheese into smaller pieces.

Cutting the cake

To serve the cheese, cut a wedge from the top wheel and continue to do this on each layer, removing the cheese wedges and placing them on the second cutting board. Then, portion each wedge into 1/2 to 1-ounce serving sizes.

Presentation

To enhance the presentation, pair the cheese with accompaniments such as crackers, fresh fruits, nuts, olives, and bread. You can also add honey, jam, and charcuterie meats to the board.

Portioning

Plan to serve 70-100g of cheese per person as part of a normal cheese plate serving. If the cheese is to constitute a main part of the meal, double this quantity.

Ordering the right amount of cheese

The amount of cheese you'll need for your wedding cake will depend on how many guests you're expecting and how much cheese you want to serve them. A standard serving size per person is 4 ounces (100g) of cheese, but you might want to double that quantity to 8 ounces (200g) per person if the cheese will constitute a main part of the meal.

When building a cheese wedding cake, it's important to choose cheeses with a range of styles and textures. You'll want to include at least one hard cheese, one soft cheese, and one blue cheese. You might also consider adding a goat's cheese and a crumbly cheese, like Lancashire, Cheshire, or Wensleydale.

The base of your cheese wedding cake should be the hardest and largest cheese in the stack. As you move up the tower, the cheeses can become softer, as long as they can support the weight of the cheese above them. Each layer should be at least 2cm smaller in diameter than the one below it, with a difference of 4 to 8 inches being ideal.

When ordering your cheese, it's important to taste the cheeses beforehand to ensure they meet your taste expectations. Most good cheese shops will allow you to come in and taste the cheeses, or they may offer mail-order sample boxes. It's also recommended that you order your cheese a few months in advance to ensure that it will be perfectly ripe on your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions