Creating A Multi-Tiered Wedding Cake With Separators

Wedding cake separators are a great way to add height and elegance to your cake design. They are easy to use and can enhance the overall look of your cake, especially in venues with high ceilings. Clear acrylic spacers, for example, can add up to 6 of extra height per spacer and are a wonderful way to fill voids and draw the eye upwards. You can find a variety of cake separators in different shapes, sizes, and materials, such as metal, acrylic, or wood, on websites like Etsy and Amazon. These separators can be used for all types of cake designs, from florals to contemporary styles, and can be a great way to elevate your cake and create a stunning visual impact.

Using a clear acrylic spacer to gain height and fill space in a large venue

A clear acrylic spacer is a great way to gain height and fill space in a large venue with high ceilings. Not only can you gain 6" in extra height per spacer, but they are also an easy addition to any cake design while giving an amazingly positive visual impact.

When using a clear acrylic spacer, it is important to first finish your cake design in ganache. This will help adhere the base of the spacer to the top of the cake. Once the spacer is in place, you can then adhere the next tier to the lid of the spacer, popping it in place when setting up at the venue.

It is also important to note that you should still dowel your tiers and not rely solely on the spacer to take the weight of the cake. Additionally, if you are using a clear spacer, ensure that you have a sharp edge for a clean contemporary look.

By using a clear acrylic spacer, you can elevate your cake designs, giving your clients and their guests the illusion of space and light, while leaving them wondering, "how and wow"!

Using ganache to adhere the base of the spacer to the cake

When it comes to adhering the base of a spacer to a cake, ganache is a great option. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Ganache

First, you'll need to make the ganache. The basic ingredients are chocolate and cream, with a ratio of two parts chocolate to one part cream for dark chocolate, three parts chocolate to one part cream for milk chocolate, and three parts chocolate to one part cream for white chocolate. Adjust the ratios slightly depending on the weather—in warmer weather, you may need to increase the amount of chocolate to get a firmer ganache.

Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a saucepan with the cream. Heat the cream until it just comes to a boil, then remove from the heat and let it sit until the bubbles disappear. Gently shake the pan so that the chocolate is mostly covered by cream, and let it sit for a few minutes. Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth, and if there are still unmelted pieces of chocolate, place the pan back on low heat, stirring constantly until smooth.

Prepare the Cake

Split your cake into layers. You can do this by measuring the height of the cake and marking the height of each layer with toothpicks, then using a bread knife to cut through the cake slowly. Repeat this process for each layer. Generally, aim for cake layers between 3/4" to 1" thick.

Use a small serrated knife to trim the edges of each layer so that they are 1/2" smaller than the size of your cake board. This step ensures an even layer of ganache around the cake and prevents the cake from protruding through the ganache.

Attach the Spacer

Warm the ganache slightly so that it softens to a peanut butter-like consistency. Place a piece of non-slip mat between your turntable and setup board, then place the cake board on top. Attach your first layer of cake to the board with a small amount of ganache, then fill and stack your cake layers. Ensure your layers of filling are even, but don't worry too much if the top isn't perfectly level—you can fix this later.

Add a few dabs of ganache to the ganache board (the board that will be on top of your cake), then place it on top of your stacked layers. Use a right-angle scraper to centre the board and ensure it lines up with the bottom board. Check that your cake layers do not extend beyond the boards.

Finalize and Refrigerate

Brush off any crumbs from the cake, then refrigerate it until the ganache layers firm up and the top cake board is secure. You can also place a bit of weight on top of the cake (such as plates) to help settle the layers.

Once the ganache is firm to the touch, carefully slide a spatula between the ganache board and the cake, gliding it around the top edge until the board can be removed. Warm the ganache again until it is soft and spreadable, then apply a thick layer (at least 1/2") of ganache over the top of the cake, going slightly over the edges. Cover this with a large piece of baking paper, then place another setup board on top and carefully flip the cake upside down.

Place a spirit level on top of the cake and gently press until the cake is level and the ganache squishes out from the bottom. Clean any excess ganache from the bottom of the cake board (now on top) to prevent it from getting onto your display board or other cake tiers.

Smooth and Finish

Warm your scraper under hot water and use it to smooth out the excess ganache, being careful to keep the scraper straight. If there are gaps along the edge, fill them in with more ganache and scrape again. Refrigerate the cake again until the ganache is firm.

Flip the cake back over and remove the baking paper. Fill in any holes on the top with ganache and smooth it out with a spatula. Warm the spatula and give the cake a final scrape around the sides to ensure smooth, sharp edges.

Let the ganache set completely before decorating or covering the cake with fondant.

Using a floating tier stand to elevate your cake

A floating tier stand is a great way to elevate your wedding cake and create a stunning visual impact. These stands can help you achieve a tall and elegant look, especially if you're working with high ceilings in the venue. They are easy to use and can be incorporated into various cake designs, from florals to contemporary styles.

When using a floating tier stand, it's important to consider the overall design of your cake and the venue's ceiling height. The stand can help draw the eye up, enhancing the cake's presence in the room. Additionally, think about how you will cover the join between the tiers if using a floating spacer. For a clean, contemporary look, ensure the edges of your cake tiers are sharp and well-defined.

To secure the tiers of your cake, you can use ganache or another type of icing to adhere the base of the spacer to the top of the lower tier. Then, place the next tier, which should be on a cake card, onto the lid of the spacer. This will ensure that your cake is stable and secure.

When it comes to cleaning, it's important to handle spacers, separators, and stands with care. Avoid using abrasive materials or cleaning them in a commercial kitchen, as this can cause scratches. Instead, request that the onsite wedding coordinator place the stand, spacers, and separators into a box for you to collect, and ask that they are left uncleaned. This will help protect your investment and ensure that your equipment remains in good condition for future use.

Floating tier stands are a great way to add height and elegance to your wedding cake, creating a beautiful and memorable centrepiece for the special day.

Using a gold or white cake separator to match your wedding colour scheme

Gold and white are classic wedding colours, and using a gold or white cake separator will help to tie your wedding cake into your colour scheme.

Etsy offers a two-piece set of cake separators, one gold and one white, which can be used to separate a floating cake. Etsy also offers a gold birdcage cake separator, which could be used as a centrepiece for a dessert table. For a more extravagant look, you could try a gold floating cake separator, which can be purchased from Amazon.

If you are looking for a more subtle approach, a white cake separator from Amazon may be a better option. This product comes with four separator plates for cakes ranging from 4 to 10 inches, as well as 12 clear stacking dowels and 20 white cake sticks. This product is also available in gold.

For a minimalist approach, Etsy offers a white acrylic cake separator, which one reviewer claimed "added the perfect wow factor" to their wedding cake.

Using a square or round cake stand/separator with butterfly pillars for a unique look

Using a square or round cake stand/separator with butterfly pillars is a unique way to display your wedding cake. This setup not only adds visual interest but also provides the necessary support for a stable and secure tiered cake.

To achieve this look, you can find cake stands/separators with butterfly pillars in various colours and sizes on Etsy. These stands/separators are typically made from materials such as acrylic, metal, or wood, and they can be customised to fit your specific cake size.

Additionally, you can complement the cake stand/separator with other cake construction essentials like separator plates and dowels. These elements will ensure your wedding cake is not only stunning but also structurally sound.

By combining a unique cake stand/separator with the necessary structural components, you can create a wedding cake that is both a beautiful and safe centrepiece for your special day.

Frequently asked questions