Crafting Mini Wedding Cake Favors: A Step-By-Step Guide

Mini wedding cakes are a unique and exquisite gift for your wedding guests. They can be used as bridal shower treats, rehearsal dinner desserts, or wedding favours. You can make them yourself or order custom-made luxury mini wedding cakes. If you're making them yourself, you can use frozen pound cake, cut into slices and layered with frosting, jam, or Nutella. You can also make no-bake mini wedding cakes using store-bought frosting and frozen pound cake. Custom-made mini wedding cakes are available in various flavours, sizes, and designs, with prices starting at $20 each.

Using a frozen pound cake

Step 1: Cut the Frozen Pound Cake

Using a large sharp knife, cut the frozen pound cake into 1-inch slices lengthwise. You can also use a cookie cutter to create different shapes for your mini cakes. One small frozen pound cake typically yields about four 3-tier mini wedding cakes, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.

Step 2: Assemble the Tiers

Use frosting, jam, or Nutella as "glue" to hold the tiers of your mini cakes together. This will also help even out the layers if they are uneven. Place a cooling rack inside a baking sheet and place the assembled mini cakes on the rack.

Step 3: Prepare the Frosting

Microwave the frosting in short intervals of 20 seconds until it reaches a pourable consistency. You can also make your own frosting by mixing butter, confectioner's sugar, milk or heavy cream, and vanilla extract.

Step 4: Frost the Mini Cakes

Spoon the frosting over the stacked mini cakes, making sure to cover the sides and layers evenly. Allow the frosting to drip off and set slightly before adding any decorations.

Step 5: Decorate the Mini Cakes

Sprinkle the mini wedding cakes with white sprinkles, sparkling sugar, or decorations that match the wedding colors. You can also personalize them with edible flowers.

Storage and Transportation:

If you're not serving the mini wedding cake favors right away, it's best to refrigerate them, especially if you're planning to transport them. You can also freeze the assembled mini cakes for up to 3 months if you're making them well in advance. To freeze, wrap the mini cakes in Press & Seal wrap or plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw the cakes in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours before serving.

Stacking the cakes

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need a frozen pound cake, a large sharp knife, and some cookie cutters in varying sizes—aim for three different sizes to create a cute, tiered effect. The cookie cutters should be round to create the circular layers of your mini cakes. You can also use a ruler to ensure your cake layers are of uniform thickness.

Now, let's begin cutting the cake! Using your large sharp knife, cut the frozen pound cake into 1-inch slices lengthwise. Pound cake is a great choice as it has a denser texture than a regular cake, making it easier to cut and hold its shape. You can adjust the size of your slices and cookie cutters depending on how big you want your mini cakes to be.

Next, use your cookie cutters to cut out circular shapes from your pound cake slices. One small frozen pound cake should give you enough slices to create about three or four 3-tier mini cakes. You can save the leftover cake scraps for another purpose, such as mini trifles or cake balls.

Once you have your cake rounds, it's time to start stacking! Use some frosting, jam, or even Nutella as "glue" to hold the tiers together. This step will also help even out the layers if they are slightly uneven. Spread a generous amount of your chosen "glue" onto one cake round and then carefully place another cake round on top, centering it as best you can. Repeat this process until you have stacked all the layers of your mini cake.

Feel free to add more layers or tiers to create a taller, more dramatic mini cake. Just remember to adjust the amount of frosting or filling you use to ensure the cake stays stable. And there you have it! Your mini wedding cake favours are now stacked and ready for the final decorative touches.

Melting the frosting

The frosting is what holds your mini wedding cakes together and gives them a smooth, polished look. To melt the frosting, start by placing it in a microwave-safe bowl. Set the microwave to medium heat and put the bowl inside. Warm the frosting in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches a pourable consistency. This should only take a few intervals, depending on the amount of frosting and the power of your microwave. Be careful not to overheat it, as you don't want the frosting to become too runny or burn.

Once the frosting is melted, it's time to assemble your mini cakes. Place a cooling rack inside a baking sheet to catch any drips. Arrange your pound cake rounds into mini towers, using a small amount of frosting as "glue" between the layers. You can also add a layer of jam or Nutella for extra flavour.

Now, carefully spoon the melted frosting over the stacked cakes. Make sure to coat the sides and tops evenly, allowing the excess to drip off. If you miss a spot, don't worry—you can always go back and add more frosting. Remember to work quickly while the frosting is still warm and pourable.

After frosting the cakes, let them sit for a few minutes to allow the frosting to set slightly. This will give it a nice, smooth finish. At this point, you can add your choice of decorations, such as sprinkles, sparkling sugar, or edible flowers, to match the wedding colours.

If you're making a large batch of mini wedding cakes, you may need to remelt the frosting occasionally to keep it pourable. Simply pop it back into the microwave for a few seconds, stirring until it reaches the desired consistency again.

Decorating the cakes

Decorating mini wedding cakes is a fun and creative process that will add a unique touch to your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to help you decorate these miniature treats:

Choose Your Icing: Select an icing that complements your cake's flavour. You can go for a simple vanilla or cream cheese frosting, or get creative with milk, white, or dark chocolate icing. If you want to add a touch of elegance, consider using a pourable icing that can be drizzled over the cakes for a smooth finish.

Add Some Colour: Opt for icing and ribbon colours that match your wedding theme. Whether it's a classic white, a romantic blush pink, or a vibrant shade that matches your bridal party's palette, the possibilities are endless. You can also offer guests a variety of colours to choose from, making each cake unique.

Embellish with Sprinkles: Sprinkles are a great way to add texture and a festive touch to your mini cakes. Go for classic white nonpareils or sparkling sugar for a simple yet elegant look. You can also match the sprinkles to your wedding colours or even use edible flowers for a more natural, whimsical feel.

Consider Fresh Flowers: Fresh flowers are a beautiful and elegant way to decorate your mini wedding cakes. Choose small blooms or petals that won't overwhelm the cake. Edible flowers such as pansies, violets, and rose petals add a delicate and romantic touch, while also providing a unique flavour experience.

Think About Presentation: How you present your mini wedding cakes can also elevate their appearance. Consider placing them on miniature cake stands or plates, adding a small cake topper, or displaying them in acrylic boxes, as suggested by My Daughter's Cakes. This will not only protect the cakes but also create a stunning visual impact when placed at each place setting.

Get Creative with Toppings: In addition to sprinkles and flowers, you can explore other toppings such as crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or even small candies that match your colour scheme. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also create patterns or designs on the cakes using different types of toppings.

Remember, decorating mini wedding cakes should be enjoyable, so feel free to experiment and find the style that best represents you and your partner. Happy baking and decorating!

Displaying the cakes

Acrylic Boxes

Place each mini cake in a hard, acrylic box. This not only protects the cakes but also makes for a beautiful display. The boxes can be of varying heights, depending on the number of tiers your mini cakes have. For instance, a single-tier cake would be placed in a 4-inch-high box, while a 2-tier cake would be showcased in a 6-inch-high box. These boxes are sturdy enough to be placed in gift bags or as part of the place setting at each guest's table setting.

Cake Stands

Mini cakes can also be displayed on miniature cake stands. These stands can be simple and elegant, or you could opt for something more ornate and decorative, depending on the overall theme and style of your wedding. Cake stands of varying heights will create a visually appealing display, especially if you are offering cakes with different numbers of tiers.

Tiered Display

Another option is to create a tiered display using a series of shelves or platforms. This will create a visually interesting centerpiece for your dessert table and allow guests to view all the cakes at once. You can decorate the shelves with flowers, greenery, or other wedding-themed decorations to enhance the overall aesthetic.

Individual Place Settings

If you've chosen to gift a mini cake to each guest, consider placing them at each individual place setting. This not only serves as a beautiful favor but also adds to the table decor. You can tie a ribbon around the box or add a personalized tag with the guest's name and a thoughtful message.

Dessert Table Display

Create a stunning dessert table by arranging the mini wedding cakes on a variety of platters, cake stands, and trays. Surround them with complementary treats such as macarons, cupcakes, or cookies. Use height to your advantage by varying the levels of the display. You can also add decorative elements such as fresh flowers, candles, or signage to enhance the overall aesthetic.

These suggestions should provide you with a good starting point for displaying your mini wedding cake favors. Feel free to get creative and adapt these ideas to match your unique wedding style and theme.

Frequently asked questions