Creating A Majestic Castle Wedding Cake

A castle wedding cake is a towering, tiered confection that serves as a delectable treat and a stunning décor piece at a wedding reception. While creating such a cake can be a challenging and time-consuming process, the result is a breathtaking dessert that will leave your guests in awe. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to make a castle wedding cake, from baking the cake layers to assembling and decorating the final product. We will also offer tips and tricks to ensure your castle cake is both delicious and structurally sound. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the world of cake decorating as we teach you how to make a castle wedding cake that will be the highlight of your special day!

Choosing the cake flavour(s)

If you prefer a lemon cake, use a box of lemon cake mix, instant lemon pudding, 4 eggs, 1 cup of sour cream, 1/2 cup of oil, 1/2 cup of water, and lemon zest. Again, mix the ingredients on high speed until well combined, and pour the batter into oiled and floured 6" round pans.

For a more complex flavour profile, you can add some shredded orange peel to your chocolate cake batter, or lemon zest to your lemon cake batter. You can also spread some jam between the layers of the cake to keep it moist and add a burst of flavour.

If you're short on time or prefer a simpler approach, you can use a box of cake mix (such as Betty Crocker Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix) and follow the package directions for baking. This will serve as a versatile base for your castle cake.

Remember, the flavours you choose are entirely up to your preference, and you can always experiment with different combinations to create your unique castle wedding cake.

Making the cake batter

To make a castle wedding cake, you'll need to prepare two cake mixes: one lemon and one chocolate strawberry. For the lemon cake, you'll need a box of lemon cake mix, a box of instant lemon pudding, four eggs, half a cup of oil, one cup of sour cream, half a cup of water, and some lemon zest. For the chocolate strawberry cake, you'll need a box of strawberry cake mix, a box of chocolate or vanilla instant pudding, four eggs, one cup of sour cream, half a cup of oil, half a cup of water, and the zest of a small orange.

Start by mixing the dry cake mix with the pudding mix in a large bowl. Then, add the eggs, oil, water, and sour cream. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, and then increase the speed to medium and mix for another two minutes. Be sure to scrape the bowl occasionally to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.

If you want to add a little extra flavour to your cake, you can add some shredded orange peel to the chocolate strawberry batter. This will add a bright touch to the flavour.

Once your batter is ready, it's time to bake your cakes. Grease or spray the bottoms and sides of your pans before pouring in the batter. For the lemon cake, use two 6" round pans, and for the chocolate strawberry cake, use two 8" square pans. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool for about 30 minutes before removing them from the pans. To keep the cakes moist, wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate them overnight. You can also spread some jam between the layers to keep the cake moist.

Preparing the frosting

The type of frosting you use is entirely up to you, but buttercream is a popular choice for castle cakes. You can even add some Nutella to your buttercream for a chocolatey twist. If you're making a pink castle cake, you can tint your frosting with pink food colouring. You will need a large batch of frosting to cover your cake, so make sure you have plenty of ingredients.

Once you have made your frosting, it's a good idea to do a thin layer or "crumb coat" all over the cake to seal in any crumbs. You can then chill the cake in the fridge or freezer before adding a final, thicker layer of frosting. This will give you a smoother finish and make your cake look more professional.

If you're in a hurry, you can skip the crumb coat, but be aware that your frosting may not look as neat. If this happens, don't worry! There are a few tricks you can use to cover up any imperfections. One idea is to cover any messy areas with candy, sprinkles, or fresh flowers. You could also forget the frosting altogether and use whipped cream and berries as a covering instead.

Another tip for neat frosting is to chill your cakes before you start. This will help the frosting to set more quickly and reduce the risk of it melting or becoming too soft. You can also chill your cake between coats of frosting if you have time.

Assembling the cake

Assembling the Castle Cake

Now that you have all the components of your castle cake ready, it's time to put them all together! Here's a step-by-step guide to assembling your castle cake:

Prepare the Cake Layers:

• Start by levelling your cakes. Using a serrated knife, cut off the domed tops of each cake to ensure they are flat when stacked.
• Place one cake layer, cut side down, on your serving tray or cardboard base. You can use a small amount of frosting to secure it in place.
• Spread a layer of frosting on top of the first cake.
• Add the second cake layer, cut side down, on top of the frosted first layer. Spread another layer of frosting on top.
• Repeat this process for the third cake layer, but do not frost the top of this layer yet.
• Cut the fourth cake into quarters.
• Place one quarter of the fourth cake, cut side down, onto the centre of the frosted third layer. Secure it with a small amount of frosting.
• Frost the top of the first stacked quarter, then add the second quarter on top. Frost the top of the second quarter.
• Add one of the remaining 2-inch pieces to the centre of the second quarter. Frost the top of this piece.
• Finally, top it off with the last 2-inch piece. You can discard the remaining cake or use it for something else.

Apply a Crumb Coat:

• Spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire layered cake. This is called a crumb coat and will seal in any crumbs, ensuring a smooth finish for your final coat of frosting.
• Chill the cake in the freezer for 30 to 60 minutes to set the crumb coat.

Create the Turrets:

• If you haven't made your turrets already, now is the time to do so. You can use ice cream cones, sugar cones, or make your own using carton tubes and fondant.
• For carton tube turrets, cut the tubes to the desired height. Cover them with plastic wrap to prevent moisture absorption, then cover them with fondant.
• Score the fondant-covered tubes to create a brick-like texture.
• For sugar cone turrets, cover the bottom of each cone with a strip of fondant.
• Cut out circles of fondant in different shades of grey and attach them to the cones, alternating colours as you go up.
• Roll out a log of fondant and place it on top of each cone, moistening with water to help it stick.

Assemble the Cake:

• Stack the smaller cake on top of the larger one, using cake dowels or straws for support. Ensure both cakes are well-chilled before decorating.
• Roll out and cut a long strip of the darkest fondant, about 2 inches in height.
• Use a square cutter to create a crenellated pattern on the top of the strip, cutting out squares every 2 inches.
• Carefully place this strip along the top edge of the cakes, creating the castle walls.
• Create the entrance door by cutting out a half-oval with the same height as the cake. Roll small pieces of fondant into balls, then flatten them with your thumb to create a stone-like texture. Place these pieces around the door.
• Cut out oval windows for the castle and place them on the sides of the cake and turrets.
• Cut out small squares to border the cake and add more detail.
• Insert straws or dowels into the cake where you want the turrets to go, then place the turrets over them for stability.

Your castle cake is now assembled and ready to be enjoyed! Feel free to add any additional decorations, such as flags, flowers, or a princess cake topper, to give it your own unique touch.

Adding decorations

Ice Cream Cone Turrets:

Making turrets from ice cream cones is a popular and effective method. You can use flat-bottom cones or pointy sugar cones. If you want to make your turrets ahead of time, cover cardboard tubes (such as those from paper towels or aluminium foil) with fondant and cut them to your desired height. For added stability, cover the tubes with plastic wrap before adding fondant to prevent moisture absorption. Score lines on the fondant-covered tubes to create a brick-like texture. For a more intricate design, you can cover the cones with strips of fondant and add circles of fondant in alternating colours to resemble a tower. Finally, place the cones on top of the tubes, securing them with a bit of moistened fondant.

Flags and Banners:

To make flags, mix tylose powder into your chosen fondant colour to help the flags dry harder and prevent drooping. Cut ribbons of fondant, approximately 3 inches long and half an inch wide. Cut skewers to about 3 inches in length, and dab a bit of glue at one end of the flag. Place the skewer on top and roll the fondant around it, securing it with a gentle press of your fingers. Place the flags on dowels to give them movement and shape, and let them dry completely overnight.

Doors and Windows:

Use a woodgrain impression pad to create a textured pattern on a rolled-out piece of fondant for a rustic, authentic look. Cut out circles using a round cookie cutter, then cut out three sides of the circle, leaving an arch at the top. Soften the edges of the arch with the side of a knife. Create a trim around the windows by squeezing out thin tubes of fondant with a sugar shaper and gently pressing them around the outside of the window. Use a scalloped frill cutter to create a decorative strip for the top of the window, and add edible silver balls or other decorations with a bit of glue. Cut the circles in half and attach them to the sides of the cake and turrets with a small amount of glue.

Final Touches:

Use fondant to create additional details such as flowers, leaves, grass, or any other decorative elements that suit your theme. You can also add purchased decorations like white flowers or silver balls. Don't forget to add a cake topper if you wish—a princess or prince topper would be an adorable addition to a castle wedding cake!

Frequently asked questions