Creating Stunning Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding cakes are a fun and tasty part of wedding planning. Making a wedding cake can be fun, but it can also be stressful. Here are some tips to help you make an amazing wedding cake.

Planning

First, you need to plan. How much time do you have? What type of cake do you want to make? How many tiers? What decorations will you use? Do you need to make a test cake?

Ingredients and Equipment

Once you have a plan, it's time to gather your ingredients and equipment. Make sure you have all the ingredients for the cake and icing, as well as any decorations you plan to use. You will also need cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cake boards, dowels, a platter to serve the cake on, and any tools for adding decorations, such as a pastry bag and a toothpick.

Baking and Decorating

When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven and prepare your cake pans. Then, mix your cake batter and bake your cakes according to the recipe. Once your cakes are baked and cooled, you can make your frosting or buttercream and assemble and decorate your cake.

Transporting and Storing

If you need to transport your cake to the wedding venue, make sure you have a safe way to do so. Also, be sure to clear a large space in the refrigerator to store the cake before the wedding.

Troubleshooting

If something goes wrong, don't panic! You can often salvage an over-baked cake by trimming off any dark bits and brushing on a simple syrup. If your frosting job doesn't go as planned, fresh flowers and berries can hide a multitude of sins.

Conclusion

Making a wedding cake can be a fun and rewarding experience. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a beautiful and delicious cake that will be the highlight of the wedding.

Choosing a cake flavour

Choosing a flavour for your wedding cake is an important decision. You want to opt for something that will be enjoyed by your guests, but also something that you and your partner will love. Here are some tips and ideas to help you choose the perfect flavour for your wedding cake:

• Consider the type of cake: Traditional fruit cakes, sponge cakes, and filled sponge cakes are all popular options for wedding cakes. Fruit cakes are a good choice if you want to make the cake in advance, as they can be soaked in liquor and fed with a spoonful of brandy or sherry in the weeks leading up to the wedding. Sponge cakes, on the other hand, are best baked close to the wedding date to ensure freshness.
• Think about the filling and icing: Buttercream, ganache, jam, curd, and fresh fruit are all delicious options for filling your wedding cake. For the icing, you can choose from options like sugarpaste (fondant), buttercream, or ganache. Fondant will give your cake a smooth, clean surface, while buttercream and ganache taste delicious but should be applied as late as possible.
• Match the cake to the wedding theme: Consider matching the colour and flavour of the cake to the wedding theme, flowers, or the bride's dress. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, a semi-naked cake with textured edges and fresh flowers might be a good choice. Or, if you're having a tropical wedding, you could opt for a cake with orchids, anthurium, and greenery.
• Personalise the cake: If you have a favourite family cake recipe, you can use that as a base and simply adjust the quantities to make a tiered cake. You can also add personal touches like your favourite fruits, chocolates, or nuts to the cake.
• Keep it simple: If you're making your own wedding cake, it's important to manage your expectations and keep the design simple. Opt for rustic decorations that are more achievable, and give yourself enough time to practice and make a test cake.
• Consider the portion size: The portion size of your wedding cake will depend on the number of guests you're expecting and the generosity of the slices. As a rule of thumb, a 9-inch round cake typically serves 24 people, while a 6-inch round cake serves 10-12 people. Adjust the quantities accordingly.
• Popular wedding cake flavours: Some popular wedding cake flavours include vanilla, carrot cake, red velvet, lemon cake, marble cake, and chocolate chip. You can also get creative and mix and match flavours for each tier.

Planning decorations

Flavours and Fillings

The flavour of your wedding cake can be tailored to the couple's preferences. Classic options include vanilla, chocolate, red velvet, carrot cake, and lemon cake. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours, such as marble cake, chocolate chip, or a combination of flavours for each tier. In addition to the cake itself, you can enhance the flavour with various fillings. Some popular choices include lemon curd, buttercream in different flavours (almond, lemon, orange, coconut), raspberry jam, and fresh fruits like strawberries or blueberries.

Icing and Frosting

The type of icing or frosting you choose will impact the overall taste and appearance of the cake. Buttercream is a popular choice as it can be flavoured and coloured, and it is ideal for piping decorations. Fondant, on the other hand, provides a smooth and clean surface but is often left uneaten due to its taste. Other options include ganache, cream cheese frosting, and royal icing, which dries hard and can be used for intricate details.

Cake Decorations

The decorations you choose will depend on the theme and colour scheme of the wedding. Fresh flowers are a popular choice and can be matched to the bridal bouquet or other floral arrangements at the wedding. However, it's important to ensure that the flowers are non-toxic and safe to be placed on the cake. Sugar flowers are another option, and these can be incredibly realistic and delicate. They can be made in advance and take time to create, but they add a unique and elegant touch to the cake. Other decorations could include fresh berries, dried fruit, gold or silver leaf, and cake toppers.

Assembly and Final Touches

When assembling a tiered cake, it is crucial to use dowels for support to prevent the cake from collapsing. You will also need cake boards for each tier and a sturdy base. Ribbons can be wrapped around the edges of the cake boards and tiers to create a neat finish and hide any imperfections. Fresh flowers or sugar flowers can be arranged on top of the cake, and additional decorations such as piped dots, pearls, or ruffles can be added to the sides of the cake.

Transport and Storage

If you need to transport the cake to the wedding venue, it is advisable to do a dry run first and assemble the cake on-site. Store the cake in a cool, dry place, and if using fresh flowers or fruits, add them as close to the event as possible to ensure they look their best.

Planning and creating decorations for a wedding cake can be a fun and creative process. By considering the couple's preferences, choosing complementary flavours and decorations, and paying attention to the assembly and final touches, you can design a stunning and memorable wedding cake.

Timing

• Plan ahead: Work out how much time you have in the week leading up to the wedding and plan your cake-making accordingly. Some decorations, such as flowers, toppers, and royal icing shapes, can be made well in advance to reduce stress closer to the wedding day.
• Choose your cake flavour: Filled sponge cakes are best baked as close to the wedding day as possible, as they can dry out over time. Traditional fruit cakes, on the other hand, can be made in advance and fed with a spoonful of brandy or sherry every few days to make them moist and flavourful.
• Consider your icing: While sugarpaste (fondant) will keep the cake fresh for a couple of days and provides a smooth surface for decorations, buttercream or ganache taste better but should be applied as late as possible – ideally the night before.
• Make a test cake: It's a good idea to make a test cake to ensure your recipe works and to practice your decorating skills. This will also help you work out how much time you'll need for the final cake.
• Create a timeline: Once you know what cake you're making and how it will be decorated, create a timeline for baking, assembling, and decorating. This will ensure you don't run out of time in the lead-up to the wedding.
• Transporting the cake: If you need to transport the cake to the wedding venue, plan this carefully. Transport the tiers separately and assemble them on-site. Use cake boxes and plenty of tissue paper to cushion the cake during transport.
• Practice makes perfect: Making a wedding cake can be a fun but challenging project. Don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go exactly according to plan – with practice, you'll improve your skills and be able to create amazing wedding cakes with ease!

Icing the cake

Prepare the Cake:

Before you begin icing, ensure that your cake layers are completely cooled. If you are making a tiered cake, you will need to bake multiple cakes of different sizes. For a three-tier cake, you typically need a 12-inch, 9-inch, and 6-inch cake. You can also opt to bake a single-tier cake or add additional tiers depending on your preference and the number of guests.

Make the Frosting:

The type of frosting you choose will depend on the flavour and design of your cake. Some popular options include American buttercream, Swiss or Italian meringue buttercream, cream cheese buttercream, or chocolate ganache. Prepare a large batch of frosting, as you will need enough to fill and cover your cake.

Apply the Crumb Coat:

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake to trap any loose crumbs and create a smooth base for the final layer of frosting. Start by attaching the bottom layer of the cake to a cardboard cake round with a dab of frosting. Then, spread a thin layer of frosting between each layer and on the outside of the cake, using an offset spatula or a bench scraper. Refrigerate the cake to allow the crumb coat to set.

Assemble the Tiers:

To assemble a tiered cake, you will need plastic dowels and additional cake rounds. Measure and cut the dowels to match the height of the bottom cake layer. Insert four dowels into the bottom tier, spacing them evenly apart to form a stable structure. Place a cake round on top of the dowels, then carefully stack the next cake layer on top. Repeat this process for any additional tiers.

Final Layer of Frosting:

Once your tiers are assembled, apply the final layer of frosting. You can opt for a semi-naked or fully frosted look. For a semi-naked cake, use a thin layer of frosting to create a rustic, textured appearance. For a fully frosted cake, use a thicker layer of frosting and smooth it out with a cake smoother or spatula.

Decorate the Cake:

Now comes the fun part – decorating your wedding cake! You can use fresh flowers, sugar flowers, fondant accents, piped details, sprinkles, or any other decorations that suit your style. Consider adding some personal touches, such as a custom cake topper or fresh berries. Practice your decorating techniques beforehand to ensure a smooth process.

Transport and Storage:

If you are transporting your wedding cake to the venue, it is best to transport the tiers separately and assemble them on-site. Bring extra frosting and decorations with you in case any touch-ups are needed. Store the cake in a cool, dry place until it is time to serve.

Assembling the cake

Assembling a wedding cake is a delicate process that requires careful planning and execution. Here are some detailed instructions on how to assemble a stunning wedding cake:

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Tiers

Before assembling the cake, ensure that the individual cake layers have completely cooled. If necessary, level the cakes by using a large serrated knife to create a flat surface. This step is crucial for achieving a stable and even cake structure.

Step 2: Apply the Filling

Choose your desired filling, such as buttercream, ganache, jam, or curd. Spread a generous amount of filling on top of each cake layer, ensuring it reaches the edges. This step will add flavour and moisture to your wedding cake.

Step 3: Stack the Cake Tiers

Place the first cake layer, which will be the base of your cake, on a cake board or serving platter. Carefully stack the remaining layers on top, adding a small amount of filling between each layer. Use a spatula or cake leveller to ensure the filling is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Apply the Crumb Coat

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake to trap any loose crumbs and create a smooth surface for the final layer of frosting. Use a buttercream or ganache that matches your cake's flavour and spread a thin coat over the entire cake, including the sides. Refrigerate the cake for the crumb coat to set.

Step 5: Insert the Dowels

Dowels are essential for providing support and stability to a tiered cake. For a two-tier cake, use four dowels for the bottom tier. Insert the dowels into the cake, spacing them evenly apart. Cut the dowels to match the height of the cake tier. This will ensure the top tier has a stable base.

Step 6: Stack the Tiers

Carefully place the smaller tier on top of the dowels. To enhance stability, use a cake board between the tiers. You can also pipe frosting around the bottom of the top tier to cover any gaps or imperfections.

Step 7: Final Decorations

Now, it's time to add the finishing touches! You can decorate your wedding cake with fresh flowers, sugar flowers, fondant accents, or piped buttercream designs. Get creative and use decorations that match the wedding theme or colour palette.

Step 8: Refrigerate and Transport

Once your wedding cake is assembled, it's important to store it properly. Refrigerate the cake until it's time to transport it to the venue. Use a sturdy cake box or container to safely transport the cake, and be extremely careful when handling it.

Frequently asked questions