Creating Professional Wedding Cakes: Tips And Tricks

Making a professional wedding cake is a challenging task, but with proper planning and research, it can be a success. Here are some tips and tricks to help you create a stunning and delicious wedding cake:

- Choose the right cake flavour: Vanilla, chocolate, carrot, and red velvet are popular choices. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours like lemon, marble, or even add-ins like chocolate chips.

- Create a timeline: Plan out the tasks over several days to avoid last-minute stress. Baking, assembling, and decorating a wedding cake is a time-consuming process, so give yourself enough time.

- Use the right tools and equipment: Invest in good-quality cake pans, a cake leveler, offset spatulas, and a sturdy cake drum or board. A digital kitchen scale is also essential for accurate measurements.

- Practice makes perfect: Do a test run of the entire process, from baking to assembling, to familiarise yourself with the techniques and identify any areas that need improvement.

- Transporting the cake: Build a sturdy box to transport the cake safely. Use a centre dowel to secure the cake and prevent it from moving during transportation.

- Decorations: Fresh flowers and fruits add a beautiful, rustic touch, but ensure they are non-toxic and food-safe. Use floral tape and drinking straws for the flowers, and toothpicks for the fruits.

- Simple syrup: Brush each cake layer with simple syrup to add moisture and enhance the flavour.

- Filling and frosting: Choose a stable frosting like American Buttercream, Swiss or Italian Meringue Buttercream, or Chocolate Ganache. Fillings can include curd, jam, or fresh fruits.

- Stacking the cake: Use appropriate support systems like wooden dowels, bubble tea straws, or specialised support rods and caps to ensure the cake is stable and secure.

- Semi-naked or naked cake: For a rustic or simple look, a semi-naked or naked cake with minimal frosting can be a stunning choice.

- Personal touches: Consider adding a personal touch to the cake, such as a fondant portrait of the couple's pet or infusing the cake with a unique flavour.

With careful planning, attention to detail, and a bit of creativity, you can create a professional-looking and delicious wedding cake that will impress the happy couple and their guests.

Choosing a flavour

• Consider the couple's favourite flavours: If the couple has a favourite cake flavour, that can be a great place to start. Whether it's a classic flavour like vanilla or chocolate, or something more unique like carrot cake or red velvet, using their favourite flavour can make the cake even more special.
• Think about the wedding theme: The flavour of the cake can also tie into the theme of the wedding. For example, if it's a rustic wedding, a naked cake with fresh fruits and flowers can be a great choice. Or if it's a tropical-themed wedding, you could incorporate flavours like coconut or pineapple.
• Offer multiple flavours: If you're making a multi-tiered cake, you can offer different flavours for each tier. This can be a fun way to surprise the guests and give them a variety of options. Some popular combinations include chocolate chip with mocha buttercream, vanilla with dulce de leche, and lemon cake with raspberry jam.
• Seasonality: Using seasonal ingredients can be a great way to ensure fresh and flavourful cakes. For example, a spring wedding could feature a vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and Italian buttercream, while a winter wedding could have a semi-naked cake with rich fruit and floral flavours.
• Personalisation: Adding a personal touch to the cake can make it even more memorable. This could be in the form of a unique flavour combination that the couple loves or even a fondant portrait of their pet on the cake!
• Simplicity: Sometimes, a simple and classic flavour like vanilla, almond, or lemon can be the best choice. These flavours are often crowd-pleasers and can be dressed up with beautiful decorations and fresh flowers.
• Fresh fruits: Fresh fruits can be a great way to add flavour and a pop of colour to your wedding cake. Strawberries, apricots, figs, and blackberries are just a few options that can be used to decorate and fill your cake.
• Cake testing: It's always a good idea to do a test run of the cake flavour before the big day. This will allow you to adjust the recipe to your liking and ensure that the cake tastes delicious.
• Consider the filling: Don't forget to choose a filling that complements the flavour of the cake. Some popular options include buttercream, cream cheese frosting, fruit preserves, and chocolate ganache.
• Account for dietary restrictions: If there are any dietary restrictions or allergies among the guests, make sure to offer a cake flavour that everyone can enjoy. This could mean making a cake that is gluten-free, nut-free, or vegan.

Planning and testing

Planning:

Before you begin baking, it is essential to have a clear plan and timeline in place. Consider the size of the wedding and the number of guests to determine the number of servings required. This will help you decide on the number of tiers and the size of each cake layer. Develop a schedule that allows ample time for baking, cooling, assembling, and decorating the cake.

Testing:

It is highly recommended to do a test run by baking a smaller version of the cake. This will allow you to adjust the recipe, practice your decorating skills, and ensure the cake's stability.

• Baking the Cake: Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients and tools. Preheat your oven, prepare your cake pans by greasing and lining them, and then mix and bake your cake layers following the recipe instructions. Allow the cakes to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
• Assembly and Decoration: Level the cake layers to ensure they are flat and even. You can use a cake leveler or a serrated knife for this step. Prepare your fillings, buttercream, or frosting, and begin assembling the cake tiers. Fill and frost each layer, adding any desired fruits or decorations.
• Stacking and Dowelling: If you are creating a multi-tiered cake, it is crucial to use appropriate support structures, such as wooden dowels, bubble tea straws, or specialised support rods and caps. These will provide stability and prevent the cake from collapsing.
• Transporting the Cake: Construct a sturdy box or container to safely transport your cake to the wedding venue. Ensure it is large enough to accommodate the cake's height and width, with enough room for any decorations that will be added on-site.
• Final Touches: At the venue, place the cake on a stand or table. Add any fresh flowers, fruits, or other decorations to the cake, ensuring they are non-toxic and food-safe.

By following these planning and testing steps, you will be well on your way to creating a professional-looking and delicious wedding cake. Remember to allow yourself enough time and don't be afraid to do a test run to build your confidence.

Preparing the batter

Firstly, gather all the necessary ingredients. The exact ingredients may vary depending on the flavour of the cake, but some common ingredients include flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and flavour extracts such as vanilla or almond. It is important to ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.

Next, prepare your baking pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment paper. The number and size of pans will depend on the desired size and number of tiers for your wedding cake. For a two-tier cake, you will typically need three pans of each size: 6-inch and 9-inch.

Now, it's time to mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt (if using). Mix these ingredients well, ensuring there are no lumps. If you are using a stand mixer, use a paddle or whisk attachment for this step.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the softened butter to the dry mixture. Continue mixing until the consistency resembles wet sand, and there are no large pieces of butter visible. Be sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally to ensure thorough mixing.

Add the egg whites and mix until just incorporated. Again, scrape down the bowl as needed to ensure an even mix.

Now, add the sour cream, milk, and desired flavour extracts. Mix until just combined, and then give the batter a final mix to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.

Finally, divide the batter evenly among your prepared pans. If you want to be precise, you can use a kitchen scale to ensure equal distribution. However, eyeballing it is also acceptable.

Your pans are now ready to be placed in the preheated oven and baked according to the recipe instructions. The baking time will vary depending on the size of your pans, but a good rule of thumb is to bake until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before inverting them onto a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

And there you have it! You've successfully prepared the batter and baked the layers for your professional wedding cake. The next steps will involve making the frosting, assembling the tiers, and decorating your beautiful creation.

Baking the cake

Step 1: Choose the Right Recipe

Select a recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes, as these cakes need to be sturdy enough to support multiple tiers and yield the right amount of batter and icing. A simple, rustic design is more achievable for beginners, and a three-tier cake is a standard option.

Step 2: Gather the Ingredients and Tools

Make sure you have all the ingredients and tools you need before you start baking. This includes ingredients for the cake batter and icing, as well as tools like cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cardboard cake boards, and a platter to serve the cake.

Step 3: Prepare the Cake Pans

Line your cake pans with parchment paper to ensure the cakes don't stick. Grease the bottoms and sides of the pans with non-stick spray or butter, then add a parchment paper round and grease the paper as well. This will guarantee that the cakes release seamlessly from the pans.

Step 4: Make the Cake Batter

Follow the recipe closely and measure out all the ingredients carefully. Use a handheld or stand mixer to combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cakes

Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in the recipe. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans, using a kitchen scale if desired for accuracy. Bake the cakes according to the recipe instructions, being careful not to overbake them. The cakes are ready when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool the Cakes

Allow the cakes to cool completely before attempting to assemble or decorate them. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cakes are stable and easier to work with. It is recommended to cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack before inverting them onto the rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Level the Cakes (Optional)

Using a large serrated knife, you can create a flat surface on the cakes by slicing a thin layer off the tops. This step is optional but can help create a neater final product.

Assembling the tiers

Prepare the Cake Tiers:

Before assembling, ensure your cake tiers are completely cooled, levelled, and chilled. Each tier should be placed on a cake board or cardboard round that is the same size or slightly larger than the tier. This provides a sturdy base and makes it easier to handle the tiers during assembly.

Create a Support Structure:

To prevent the cake from collapsing or sliding, you'll need to create a support structure using dowels or straws. For a sturdy structure, use one dowel for every 2–3 inches of cake. For example, an 8-inch cake would need 4–5 support dowels.

Mark the Centre and Outline:

Mark the centre of your base tier and outline where the next tier will go. This will guide you in placing the support dowels in the correct position.

Cut and Insert the Dowels:

Cut the dowels to the height of the tier they will be supporting. Insert the dowels into the base tier, pushing them straight down until they touch the bottom cake board. For added stability, place one dowel in the centre of the cake and then arrange the remaining dowels in a square formation around it.

Stacking the Tiers:

When you're ready to stack the tiers, remove the next tier from the refrigerator. Use an offset spatula to loosen the cake from the cake board. Spread some fresh buttercream in the centre of the base tier to make it sticky, then carefully lower the next tier onto it, centring it within the outline you created earlier.

Repeat for Additional Tiers:

If you have more than two tiers, repeat the process for each additional tier. Always work from the largest tier to the smallest. Remember to use fresh buttercream or icing between each tier to act as "glue" and to cover any gaps or visible cake boards.

Final Touches:

Once all the tiers are stacked, you can decorate the cake as desired. You can pipe adjoining dots or borders around the base of each tier to hide the cardboard and create a neat finish. Fresh flowers, fondant decorations, or piped cream can also be used to enhance the overall presentation.

Assembling a wedding cake requires patience and attention to detail. By following these steps and allowing adequate time for preparation and assembly, you can create a stunning and stable tiered wedding cake.

Frequently asked questions