Geode Cake: A Wedding Centerpiece That Shines

Geode cakes are a popular choice for weddings, with the natural rock structure's crystals mimicked using colourful rock candy jutting out of carvings within the cake. The cakes are surprisingly easy to make at home and are usually made with a three-layer, 8-inch cake. Bakers typically carve out chunks from the cake and fill the cut-outs with edible crystals made out of rock candy or isomalt shards. The crystals are then painted multiple colours to emulate the look of real geodes.

Choosing a cake recipe

• Choose a cake recipe that is tasty and quick to put together, as you will be spending a significant amount of time on assembling and decorating the cake. A simple recipe with fewer ingredients and basic mixing techniques will save you time and effort.
• Opt for a cake recipe that results in a firm and sturdy cake. Avoid recipes that produce soft, crumbly, or delicate cakes, as they will be difficult to handle and may not be able to support the weight of the geode design.
• Consider the colour of your geode design when selecting a cake recipe. For example, if you plan to create a white and deep purple geode, a white cake will provide a pristine base for the vibrant colours to stand out.
• If you want to add an extra touch of luxury to your geode wedding cake, consider using a cake recipe that includes chocolate. Chocolate cakes, especially those with a deep, dark colour, can add an elegant touch to your design.
• While the flavour of the cake is important, prioritise the texture and stability of the cake when selecting a recipe. A moist and fluffy cake may taste delicious, but it might not have the structural integrity needed to hold the weight of the rock candy and frosting.
• If you are a beginner baker, it is advisable to choose a basic cake recipe that you are familiar with. You can also consider practising your geode design on a smaller cake or cupcakes before attempting a large wedding cake.

Selecting the right frosting

Taste and Texture

The taste and texture of the frosting are important factors to consider. If you or your guests have a sweet tooth, American buttercream is a good option as it has the highest ratio of sugar to butter. It is also a popular choice due to its simplicity and sweet flavour. However, it can be difficult to work with because of its grittiness, and it may not be suitable for intricate designs.

Swiss and Italian meringue buttercreams, on the other hand, are less sweet and have a lighter, fluffier, and smoother texture. They give the cake a shiny finish and are ideal for creating different textures. However, they are more delicate and may not be suitable for warm temperatures as they can melt easily.

Cream cheese frosting, made with butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese, offers a unique tangy and creamy flavour. It is not overly sweet, making it a good choice if you prefer a milder sweetness. However, its soft texture may not be ideal for intricate cake designs.

Colour and Design

When selecting a frosting, consider whether you want to add colour to your geode cake design. Both American buttercream and meringue-based buttercreams can be dyed, but be cautious when choosing darker hues as they may stain your guests' mouths. Fondant is another option that can be easily dyed and won't stain mouths. It also provides a smooth and elegant finish, making it great for creating detailed patterns and shapes. However, fondant is not known for its taste and can be the most expensive option.

Stability and Temperature

The stability of the frosting is crucial, especially if your wedding is during the warmer months. Swiss meringue buttercream is surprisingly stable and can withstand warmer temperatures better than American buttercream. Ganache, made with chocolate and cream, is another stable option that can be used as a filling or all-over frosting. However, it may lose its shape in warm temperatures, so it's not ideal for outdoor summer weddings.

Personal Preference

Ultimately, the choice of frosting depends on your personal preference and the overall vision for your wedding cake. Consider your desired taste, texture, colour, and design, as well as the stability of the frosting, especially if your wedding is in a warm location. Don't be afraid to consult with your baker, who can guide you in choosing the best frosting for your geode wedding cake.

Using rock candy

Geode cakes are a popular choice for wedding cakes, mimicking the natural rock structure with colourful rock candy jutting out of carvings within the cake. Here is a step-by-step guide on using rock candy to make a geode wedding cake:

Ingredients:

• Rock candy: Buy rock candy in chunks in a bag, rather than wrapped around a lollipop stick. Rock sugar, which has bigger granules than rock candy, can also be used, but it is harder to eat.
• Food colouring: You will need food colouring to paint the rock candy to mimic a geode. You can use gel food colouring or liquid food colouring.
• Vodka: If using gel food colouring, thin it out with vodka. Vodka helps apply the colour and makes it adhere to the rock candy without dissolving it.
• Edible gold or silver leaf: Most geode cakes incorporate some sort of metallic, glittery patterning. You can use either edible gold or silver leaf, or a combination of both.

Baking Equipment and Tools:

• A rotating cake stand: A heavy-duty metal cake stand is recommended as it won't move if accidentally knocked.
• Offset spatulas: You will need a large offset spatula to smooth the cake's sides, and a smaller one to cover the cake's cut-outs with frosting.
• A sharp serrated knife: This is the best tool to slice out the cut-outs for the rock candy crevices. A smaller/shorter knife, about 5 inches long, will make it easier to carve the cut-outs accurately.
• Paintbrush: If you don't buy coloured rock candy, you will need a small paintbrush to paint food colouring onto the candy.
• Tweezers: You will need tweezers to apply the edible gold or silver leaf onto the cake.

Steps:

• Bake your cake: You can use any cake recipe you like for the base of your geode cake. Let the cake cool completely before proceeding to the next steps.
• Make your frosting: A good frosting recipe should be silky and easy to smooth but will also hold its shape when applied to the cake. You can use a meringue-based buttercream like Swiss meringue or Italian meringue buttercream frosting, or a classic American buttercream.
• Frost the cake: Use a rotating cake stand to frost your cake smoothly. Set aside at least 1/4 to 1/3 cup of frosting to use for the cut-outs.
• Carve out cut-outs: Use a small serrated knife to carve out chunks from the cake. You can do one giant cut-out, which is traditional for geode wedding cakes, or multiple smaller ones.
• Cover the cut-outs with frosting: Use a small offset spatula to spread frosting over the cut-outs. You don't need to perfectly smooth the frosting, as you will be covering it with rock candy.
• Add the rock candy: Use tweezers or your fingers to cover the cut-outs with rock candy, pressing firmly so that the candy holds in place. Cover any crumbs or exposed parts of the cake with rock candy to hide them.
• Paint the rock candy: Mix food colouring with vodka to create your desired colour. Use a paintbrush to paint the centres of the rock candy-covered cut-outs with a darker colour, then paint the outer edges with a lighter colour.
• Add gold or silver leaf: Use tweezers to apply edible gold or silver leaf to the cake to finish the design.

Tips:

• Chilled cake is easier to carve. Bake the cake the day before and freeze it overnight. Let the cake thaw slightly before making the frosting.
• When filling the cut-outs with rock candy, start by placing the candy on the outside of the cut-outs and work your way in. This will help protect your hands from the frosting.
• The assembled geode cake can be refrigerated, uncovered and preferably in a box, for up to one week.

Enjoy creating your geode wedding cake!

Painting the rock candy

Preparing the Rock Candy:

Start by sourcing rock candy in the form of lollipops or chunks. You can find these at science museums, boardwalk shops, or online retailers like Amazon. If you want unflavored rock candy, consider purchasing rock sugar from Asian supermarkets at a more affordable price.

Mixing the Paint:

To paint the rock candy, you will need food coloring and a thinning agent. For the food coloring, choose gel-based coloring in the desired shade or shades. If you want to create an ombre effect, prepare two batches of food coloring, one darker and one lighter. For the thinning agent, use clear extract such as almond, lemon, or clear vanilla, or a clear alcohol like gin or vodka. Combine one tablespoon of the chosen thinning agent with a generous squirt of gel food coloring. Stir the mixture until it is well combined.

Using a clean paintbrush, carefully apply the food coloring mixture to the rock candy. If creating an ombre effect, start with the darker shade at the center of the rock candy and work outwards, gradually lightening the color as you go. You can also add multiple colors to create a vibrant and varied geode design.

Drying and Adhering the Rock Candy:

Allow the painted rock candy to dry completely before handling. Once dry, use frosting to adhere the rock candy to the cut-outs in your cake. The frosting will act as a glue to keep the rock candy in place.

Adding Finishing Touches:

As an optional final step, you can enhance the geode effect by painting the edges of the rock candy crevices with edible silver or gold paint. This will make the entire design pop and give it a more polished appearance.

Creating a geode cake is a fun and creative project, and painting the rock candy is a key step in achieving the desired crystal-like appearance. By following these instructions, you can paint and decorate your rock candy to resemble stunning geodes.

Adding gold or silver leaf

To apply the gold or silver leaf, you will need to use tweezers to carefully place the leaf onto the cake. You can add the leaf at random or create a traditional gold leaf border around the cut-outs. If you want to avoid the vagina effect (as mentioned in the sources), you may want to avoid creating a border.

If you are stacking your geode cake, it is recommended to cover each cake layer separately and then stack them carefully. This will help to minimise damage to the gold or silver leaf.

Gold and silver leaf are expensive, but they create a beautiful and elegant finish to a geode wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions