Crafting Mini Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Miniature wedding cakes are a unique and elegant addition to any wedding reception. They can be individually packaged as wedding favours or placed on each table as a centerpiece. These mini cakes can be customised to match the theme and style of your wedding, making them a perfect complement to your overall wedding decor. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make mini cakes for your wedding, including recipes, decorating tips, and ideas for personalisation. Whether you choose to bake your own cakes or assemble store-bought ingredients, creating miniature wedding cakes is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your special day.

Using a cake mix to make mini cakes

Ingredients:

• Your favourite boxed cake mix (about 6 tablespoons or 48 grams)
• Neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed oil)
• Egg(s)
• Water (optional, depending on the cake mix)

Optional Ingredients for Decoration:

• Fresh fruit
• Frosting or glaze
• Ice cream
• Whipped cream

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F. If using a toaster oven, adjust the rack to the bottom position and select the "BAKE" setting.
• Prepare your chosen cake mix according to the package instructions. However, instead of using a full egg, beat the egg and add just one tablespoon of it to the mix. You can also experiment with other egg substitutions, such as egg yolk, Greek yogurt, or mashed banana.
• Grease two 4- or 5-ounce ramekins with oil or cooking spray and place them on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Combine the cake mix, water (if needed), beaten egg, and oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk until the batter is smooth and well combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared ramekins.
• Bake your mini cakes until they are cooked through. This usually takes around 11 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven and the type of pan used. To check if they're done, press gently on the cakes—they should spring back. Alternatively, insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cakes are ready.
• Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
• Once cooled, you can decorate your mini cakes as desired. You can serve them plain, with fresh fruit, or topped with frosting, glaze, ice cream, or whipped cream.

Tips:

• If you want to make a sponge cake, omit the beaten egg and add one large egg yolk instead. This will give your mini cakes a denser texture and a richer flavour.
• If you're using a convection toaster oven, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent overcooking.
• The type of pan you use will affect the baking time. Metal pans usually cook faster than stoneware or ceramic dishes.

Baking and assembling the cakes

To bake and assemble mini cakes for a wedding, you can follow these steps:

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare the cake batter by combining a box of Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ White Cake Mix with eggs, oil, milk, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Beat the mixture for 30 seconds on medium speed, and then increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 2 minutes. Spray a multi-tiered cake pan with cooking spray and fill four of the molds to the bottom line of the largest tier.

Bake the cakes for 15 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes. Once the cakes are done, let them cool completely before removing them from the pan. If you're making a no-bake version, use a frozen pound cake instead and cut it into slices about 1 inch thick. You can use a cookie cutter to create uniform rounds, or simply use a sharp knife to cut the cake into your desired shape.

To assemble the mini cakes, use frosting, jam, or Nutella as "glue" to hold the tiers together. Place a cooling rack inside a baking sheet and put the mini cakes on top. Microwave the frosting in short intervals until it reaches a pourable consistency, and then spoon it over the stacked cakes, ensuring that it covers the sides and layers evenly. Allow the excess frosting to drip off and set slightly before adding any decorations.

Finally, decorate your mini cakes with ribbon, pearls, sprinkles, or edible flowers to match the wedding theme. You can also add the couple's names or other personalized messages using icing. These mini cakes can be placed on each table as elegant centerpieces or individually packaged as wedding favors for guests.

Decorating the cakes with frosting

Frosting is a great way to add a touch of elegance and luxury to your mini wedding cakes. It can be used to create a smooth, even layer or piped into stars for a more textured look. Here are some detailed instructions on how to decorate your mini wedding cakes with frosting:

Preparing the frosting

Start by preparing your frosting. You can either make your own frosting from scratch or use a store-bought option. If you're making your own, a simple recipe for fluffy and soft frosting includes a combination of sour cream, milk, and frosting mix. You can also add food colouring to create frosting in your wedding colours. If you're using store-bought frosting, simply transfer it to a microwavable bowl.

Frosting application techniques

For an even layer of frosting, use a spatula to smooth it onto the cake. This method creates a sleek and elegant finish. Alternatively, you can use a star decorating tip to pipe stars onto the cake for a more textured and playful look. This technique adds dimension and interest to your mini cakes.

Melting the frosting

If you're using store-bought frosting, melt it in the microwave at 20-second intervals until it reaches a pourable consistency. This step ensures that the frosting will smoothly coat the cake and creates a drip effect. Be careful not to overheat the frosting, as it can quickly become too runny.

Drip technique

After melting the frosting, use a spoon to generously coat the stacked mini cakes. Continue to spoon the frosting around the sides and over the layers, ensuring that the entire cake is covered. Allow the excess frosting to drip off, creating a elegant drip effect. This technique is perfect for achieving a romantic and rustic look.

Final touches

Once the frosting has set slightly, it's time to add the final touches. You can sprinkle the mini cakes with decorations such as nonpareils (sprinkles), sparkling sugar, or edible flowers. Choose decorations that match your wedding colours or theme. You can also add ribbon or pearls for a more elegant and luxurious finish. These additional decorations will make your mini wedding cakes truly stand out.

Using mini cakes as wedding favours

Mini cakes are a great way to add a modern twist to your wedding, and they can also be used as wedding favours. They are portable, easy to serve, and your guests can take them home as a special reminder of your big day. Here are some tips and ideas for using mini cakes as wedding favours:

Flavours and Decorations

Mini cakes can be made in a variety of flavours, including Vanilla Victoria, Red Velvet, Chocolate Fudge, Coffee & Walnut, and Lemon Drizzle. You can also add decorations such as ribbon, pearls, or sprinkles, or even edible flowers.

Dietary Requirements

When choosing mini cakes as wedding favours, it's important to consider any dietary requirements or allergies your guests may have. There are gluten-free options available, and you can also choose to use a cake mix that caters to specific dietary needs.

Baking and Assembly

Baking and assembling mini cakes can be a fun DIY project, or you can order them from a professional baker. If you're baking them yourself, you can use a cake mix and add sour cream and milk to create a fluffy and soft texture. Frosting or icing can be used to hold the tiers together, and you can decorate them with sprinkles, sugar, or edible flowers.

Presentation and Packaging

When using mini cakes as wedding favours, consider how you will present and package them for your guests. You can place them on a small cake board or in a box with a ribbon or other decorative touches. You can also include a small note or tag with a personalised message.

Quantity and Timing

Plan the quantity of mini cakes based on the number of guests, and consider any leftovers you may want. It's also important to time the baking or delivery of the mini cakes to ensure they are fresh for your wedding day.

Customising the cakes to match the wedding theme

Customising mini wedding cakes to match the wedding theme is a fun and creative way to make a statement. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Colour Schemes

Match the icing or fondant to the wedding colours. For a fashion-forward wedding, consider a cake with abstract designs, such as smudges of red and streaks of magenta. Alternatively, opt for a more subtle approach by adding a single-coloured tier or a coloured fault line to a crisp white cake. A unique idea is to have an ombré ruffle-decorated miniature coconut cake with ganache filling, inspired by a destination wedding in Mexico.

Flowers

Flowers are a beautiful way to decorate mini wedding cakes and can be matched to the wedding theme. For a spring or summer wedding, pale pink blooms or seasonal flowers like garden orchids are a perfect choice. In autumn or winter, consider darker flowers such as red or purple blooms. Fresh flowers like oversized peonies and roses can be used to top cakes, giving them a garden-fresh look. For a unique twist, edible flowers can also be used as a decoration.

Toppers

Cake toppers can be customised to match the wedding theme. For a fun option, consider a personalised figurine cake topper modelled after the happy couple. These can be designed in various styles, poses, and accessories to match the wedding attire. For a more subtle approach, a simple cake topper such as a sugar bow or a string of pearls can be used to add elegance.

Creative Ideas

Mini wedding cakes can be customised in many creative ways to match the wedding theme. For a unique cake, try a cake made from hundreds of crepes stuck together with Nutella. For a playful touch, add sprinkles to the cake batter for a funfetti cake. Alternatively, opt for a semi-naked cake with a dusting of powdered sugar and rings of berries for a mouth-watering finish.

Cake Stands

Choosing the right cake stand can also help to customise mini wedding cakes. For a chic option, consider a marble cake stand with a gold finish to match a gold-themed wedding. Alternatively, an upside-down basket can be used as a cake stand to give a vintage feel.

By incorporating these customisation ideas, mini wedding cakes can be perfectly matched to the wedding theme, creating a memorable and delightful addition to the special day.

Frequently asked questions