Gravity-Defying Wedding Cakes: Secrets To Creating Magical Confections

Creating a wedding cake that defies gravity is no easy feat, but with careful planning and the right techniques, it can be done. From choosing the right materials and getting the correct consistency for your chocolate to mastering cake carving and stabilization, there are many elements to consider. A good foundation is key, and a sturdy, heavy base will be your best friend when it comes to transporting the cake. It's also important to set expectations with your clients and give yourself plenty of time to create a show-stopping cake. If you're looking to elevate your cake design skills and create a heart-shaped masterpiece, a workshop can be a great way to learn the foundational techniques and decorating tips to achieve a gravity-defying effect.

Characteristics of Gravity-Defying Wedding Cakes

Cake carving and shaping

Planning and Preparation:

Before you begin carving, it's essential to have a clear plan and understand the shape you want to create from every angle. Research and gather images or real objects as guides to help you visualise the final design. Consider whether your design requires different shapes put together or if you can achieve it by cutting a single cake. For instance, an "S" shape can be formed by cutting a round cake in half and moving the halves apart, keeping the edges touching.

Choosing the Right Cake:

Select a cake recipe with a dense crumb that can withstand cutting and shaping. Avoid light and fluffy cakes like chiffon or those with delicate fillings. Opt for sturdy options such as carrot cake or a fudge cake. Ensure your cake is well-chilled before carving to maintain stability and prevent crumbling.

Tools and Techniques:

Use a very sharp knife for clean and precise cuts. Consider having an assortment of knives for intricate details and awkward edges; a serrated knife can be useful too. If you plan to cover your cake with fondant, ensure your cut edges are smooth and bump-free, as fondant tends to highlight imperfections. Exaggerate the cuts slightly, as the final coating of icing or fondant will soften the edges of your design.

Filling and Stability:

Avoid overfilling your cake layers, as this can make carving messy and challenging. If filling is necessary, keep the icing, jam, or glaze layer thin to prevent slipping. For added stability, use ganache over the cake, as it firms up and helps hold everything together. When stacking different pieces, use dowels for stability and always carve your cake on a prepared cake board to minimise the risk of breakage during movement.

Choosing the right materials

Cake Structure and Armature

The foundation of your cake is essential to ensure stability and durability. Consider using MDF wood as it provides a sturdy and reliable base for your gravity-defying structure. You can find it at your local DIY store. Additionally, be creative and explore other materials such as wire or wood to suit your unique design. Remember to test the strength of your structure by weighing it down with fondant packs and leaving it overnight to ensure it can bear the weight.

Cake Type and Recipe

Opt for a cold, dense cake recipe, such as a chocolate cake. This type of cake provides a solid foundation and can withstand the weight and structure of a gravity-defying design. Dummy cakes can also be used if you prefer, as long as they meet the structural requirements.

Cake Stabilization

To enhance stability, use wooden skewers cut to size and insert them into your cake layers. This adds strength and prevents collapse. For extra reinforcement, consider using plastic straws instead of paper straws, as paper straws can become soggy when in contact with icing.

Chocolate Consistency

Achieving the correct chocolate consistency is crucial. The chocolate should be pourable yet thick, resembling the consistency of toothpaste. If it's too runny, the cake elements may slide off, and if it's too thick, they won't set properly. Adjust the consistency by microwaving in 10-second intervals until it reaches the desired texture.

Decorations and Finishing Touches

When it comes to decorations, fondant and gumpaste are commonly used. If you plan to cover challenging shapes with fondant, ensure you have the necessary experience or guidance to achieve a smooth and professional finish. Additionally, consider creating intricate sugar paste flowers, such as romantic gumpaste gardenias, to add elegance and sophistication to your wedding cake.

Adding decorations

Choose the Right Materials

Select materials that complement your cake's design and structure. Wire and wood are popular choices, but feel free to get creative and explore other options. Ensure that any structures are wrapped in cling film or florist's tape to comply with safety regulations and prevent splinters.

Stabilise Your Straws

If you're using straws to support the weight of your decorations, opt for strong plastic straws as paper straws can become soggy from the icing. Insert a wooden skewer cut to size down the centre of your straw to add stability. This is especially important if you're creating a cascading effect with multiple layers of decorations.

Master the Art of Fondant

Fondant is a versatile medium that can be used to create elegant and romantic details. If you're a beginner, consider attending a workshop or enrolling in a class to refine your fondant skills. Practice applying fondant to challenging shapes and always aim for a smooth and flawless finish.

Create Delicate Gumpaste Flowers

Gumpaste gardenias, for instance, add a touch of sophistication and elegance to your cake. Learn the techniques to craft these intricate flowers, and don't be afraid to experiment with other types of flowers as well. Gumpaste flowers can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly and give yourself ample time to create these delicate decorations.

Enhance with Edible Details

Incorporate edible decorations such as sweets or chocolate. To attach sweets to your cake, use chocolate as a "glue." Ensure the chocolate is at the correct consistency—pourable but thick, similar to toothpaste. This will prevent the sweets from sliding off or not setting properly. Be patient and add a few sweets at a time, allowing ample time for them to set before adding more.

Finalise the Finishing Touches

Once your main decorations are in place, step back and assess the overall design. Make any necessary adjustments and ensure that your cake is securely attached to its base. Remember to consider the practical aspects of serving the cake and provide clear instructions to your clients on how to tackle cutting and serving it.

Getting the right consistency

Another important aspect is the type of straw you use. Opt for a strong plastic straw as paper straws can become soggy when in contact with icing. You can reinforce the straw by pushing a wooden skewer cut to size down its centre, providing added stability. When attaching a bag of sweets, only cut off a small corner to achieve a tumbling effect for the sweets. If you wish to fill the bag, use lightweight materials like cotton wool or paper tissue sparingly, as too much weight could cause the bag to collapse.

The consistency of your cake batter is also key. For a gravity-defying cake, a cold, dense cake batter is ideal. Chocolate cake recipes tend to work well for this purpose. Additionally, ensure your cake tin is the right size to allow for proper cooking. Grease and line your cake tin adequately to facilitate easy removal once baked. Following the recipe precisely, including steps like preheating the oven and measuring ingredients accurately, will contribute to achieving the desired consistency for your cake.

Finally, remember to test the stability of your cake structure. Before decorating, weigh down the structure with a few packs of fondant and leave it overnight. This test will reveal whether your structure can withstand the weight and the passage of time.

Stabilising the structure

Start by choosing the right materials for your structure. This will depend on the design of your cake, but some options include wire and wood. For a strong and reliable base, MDF wood is a popular choice. Ensure that any wooden elements are smooth and free of splinters by wrapping them in cling film or florist's tape. This will also help your creation adhere to UK safety laws.

When constructing the cake, it's essential to have a good foundation. Avoid pre-made cake stands as they can be wobbly and stressful to work with. Instead, opt for a sturdy, heavy base that will provide stability during transport. A trick to divert attention from the base is to use clever composition to draw the eye upwards.

Before adding any cake or decorations, test the stability of your structure. Use a few packs of fondant to weigh down the framework and leave it overnight. This will indicate whether your structure can bear the weight of the cake and withstand the test of time.

When attaching sweets or other decorations to a straw, use chocolate as a glue. Ensure the chocolate is the correct consistency—pourable yet thick, similar to toothpaste. If it's too runny, the attachments will slide off, and if it's too thick, they won't set. Be patient when applying the chocolate, adding only a few sweets at a time and allowing ample time for them to set before continuing.

For additional support, use a plastic straw instead of a paper one, as paper straws can become soggy when in contact with icing. Insert a wooden skewer cut to size down the centre of the straw for added stability. Leave enough of the straw exposed so you can attach the bag of sweets or other decorations. If using a paper bag, cut it down to reduce weight, and balance it on top, securing it with tape if needed.

Frequently asked questions