Creating Raw Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A raw wedding cake is a unique and beautiful way to celebrate your special day and your love of raw food. This type of cake is usually a no-bake cheesecake made with fresh, natural ingredients. It can be a fun and tasty alternative to a traditional wedding cake, especially for those who follow a raw, vegan, or allergy-friendly diet.

There are many delicious raw cake recipes to choose from, such as lemon and vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. These cakes often have a nutty base made from blended macadamia nuts, cashews, or other nuts, and a creamy filling made from blended cashews, coconut cream, or another dairy-free alternative. The cakes are then decorated with edible flowers, desiccated coconut, or fresh fruit.

Making a raw wedding cake requires some planning and preparation, but it can be a fun and rewarding experience. It is important to allow enough time for soaking and blending the ingredients, as well as for the cake to set in the freezer or fridge. It is also essential to have the right equipment, such as a high-powered blender, cake tins, and decorating tools.

So, if you're looking for a unique and healthy alternative to a traditional wedding cake, a raw cake could be the perfect choice. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can create a beautiful and delicious cake that your guests will love.

Research what professional wedding cake bakers do

Researching what professional wedding cake bakers do is a crucial step in understanding the process of creating a wedding cake. Here are some insights into the world of professional wedding cake baking:

• Initial Research and Planning: Professional bakers start by gathering information and planning. They research and narrow down their options by reading reviews, seeking recommendations, attending local bridal expos, and visiting nearby bakeries. This helps them identify a few potential cake bakers to contact and consider for the job.
• Asking the Right Questions: Once they have a list of potential bakers, professionals will get their questions answered through email or phone conversations. They inquire about availability, pricing, design capabilities, references, delivery methods, licensing, insurance, and customisation options. This ensures a good fit between the baker and the client's needs.
• In-Person Consultations: After the initial screening, professional bakers meet with clients to discuss their vision for the cake in detail. They bring inspiration photos, dress and colour palette samples, and any other relevant materials. This consultation helps both parties understand each other's expectations and ensures a clear understanding of the cake design, flavours, and decorations.
• Tastings and Finalisation: Professional bakers often offer cake tastings to clients, allowing them to sample different flavours and icings. This step ensures that the cake not only looks beautiful but also tastes delicious. Bakers may also discuss the option of a fresh top tier for the couple's first anniversary or freezing a tier from the wedding cake for this tradition.
• Contract and Deposit: Once the baker and client are satisfied with the plan, a contract is signed. The contract outlines the agreed-upon details, including cake specifications, pricing, and delivery information. A deposit is typically required to reserve the baker's services for the wedding date.
• Experience and Education: Professional wedding cake bakers often have a formal education in baking and pastry arts. They understand the importance of consulting with clients, designing the cake to meet their expectations, and delivering a high-quality product. Their education covers various topics, such as alternative baking, team leadership, versatility in confectionery items, cost control, and portfolio development.
• Attention to Detail: Professional bakers pay attention to the smallest details. They use cake order forms, consider the number of guests and cake slice sizes, and refer to guides like the Wilton cake cutting guide. They also ensure that the cake is stabilised with dowels and properly transported, using tools like cake boxes, a level, and a hacksaw for precise dowel cutting.

Estimate costs

Estimating the costs of a raw wedding cake is an important step in the planning process. Here are some factors to consider when creating your budget:

Ingredients

The cost of ingredients for a raw wedding cake can vary depending on the recipe and the quality of the ingredients used. For example, organic nuts and specialty items like raw cacao butter or vanilla beans can be more expensive. Create a detailed list of all the ingredients required for your recipe and research the current prices to get an accurate estimate. Don't forget to include any additional ingredients for decorations or fillings.

Equipment

To make a raw wedding cake, you will need specialized equipment such as a high-powered blender or food processor. If you don't already own this equipment, you'll need to factor in the cost of purchasing or renting it. Other equipment to consider includes cake tins, spatulas, and any decorative tools or moulds you may wish to use.

Time and Labour

Consider the time and labour involved in making the raw wedding cake. If you are making the cake yourself, estimate the number of hours you expect to spend on each stage of the process, from preparing the ingredients to assembling and decorating the cake. Assign an hourly rate to your time to calculate the total labour cost. If you are hiring someone to make the cake, research the average rates for raw cake chefs in your area.

Practice and Testing

It is essential to allow for practice and testing when estimating costs. Creating a raw wedding cake usually requires multiple attempts to perfect the recipe and technique. Factor in the cost of ingredients and equipment for each practice cake, as well as your time spent baking and decorating.

Delivery and Setup

If you are delivering and setting up the raw wedding cake at the venue, include these costs in your estimate. Consider transportation expenses, such as fuel or rental of a suitable vehicle to transport the cake safely. You may also need to purchase cake boxes or other packaging to ensure the cake arrives intact.

Decoration and Display

The decoration and display of the raw wedding cake can also impact the overall cost. Fresh flowers, cake toppers, cake stands, and other decorative elements should be included in your budget. If you plan to use gold leaf, intricate piping, or other elaborate decorations, factor in the cost of any specialized tools or ingredients required.

Order supplies early

Ordering supplies ahead of time is crucial to ensuring a stress-free cake-making experience. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Create a Comprehensive Supply List

Begin by listing all the equipment and ingredients you will need to make, bake, and decorate your raw wedding cake. This includes everything from the raw ingredients to cake-decorating tools. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so consider creating a checklist and gathering all your supplies early on.

Research and Order Specialised Equipment

If this is your first time making a raw wedding cake, you may need to purchase specialised equipment such as cake pans, cake boards, cake dowels, and decorating tools. Research the types of pans and tools that are suitable for the size and style of cake you plan to make. Order these items early to avoid any last-minute surprises or delays.

Stock Up on Non-Perishable Ingredients

Identify the non-perishable ingredients you will need for your cake, such as nuts, shredded coconut, vanilla essence, agave nectar, salt, and coconut oil. Purchase these items in advance and store them properly to ensure they stay fresh until you are ready to start baking.

Plan Ahead for Perishable Ingredients

Some ingredients, such as organic raw cashews, may need to be soaked before using them in your cake. Plan ahead and calculate how much time you will need to prepare these ingredients. Additionally, consider creating a timeline for purchasing perishable items, such as fresh flowers or other decorations, to ensure they are fresh for your cake-making day.

Consider Creating a Backup Plan

While it is important to be prepared, it is also a good idea to have a backup plan in case of any last-minute issues or shortages. Create a list of alternative suppliers or sources for your ingredients and equipment, so you know where to turn if you need to restock or replace anything.

Remember, ordering your supplies early will give you peace of mind and help you stay organised as you embark on creating a delicious and beautiful raw wedding cake.

Practise making the cake

Practising making the cake is an important step in the process of making a wedding cake. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Start practising early – The more you bake, the more comfortable you will become with the process. You can offer to bring cakes to friends' parties or family gatherings. This will allow you to get feedback on your recipes and adjust them accordingly.
• Freeze your egg whites – If you are making a traditional white cake, start saving and freezing your egg whites. Egg whites freeze well and can be measured by weight for Swiss meringue buttercream.
• Prepare your dry ingredients in advance – A few weeks before you plan to bake the cake, measure out your dry ingredients and store them in separate containers. Label them clearly, indicating the ingredients, flavour, and tier.
• Practise icing and decoration – If your cake will be finished in buttercream, practise blending colours and creating different textures on your test cakes. You can purchase styrofoam cake rounds to practise on, or use the real cake layers if you have some stored in your freezer.
• Use cardboard cake rounds – Each three-layer tier is built on cardboard cake rounds. Use the next size up from your cake tin for easier movement in and out of the fridge. Trim any excess with kitchen shears, and cover any raw edges with simple piping, ribbons, or flowers.
• Stabilise the cake with dowels – Layer cakes need to be stabilised with a pattern of wooden dowels, which the top tiers can rest on. You can buy a small hacksaw to trim the dowels to size and sand them down before inserting them into the cake.
• Practise assembling the tiers – Building a cake isn't scary, but it requires a slow and careful approach. Place a parchment round on top of the dowels to keep the buttercream from sticking to the layer above, then carefully stack the tiers.

Practise icing and decoration

Practising icing and decoration is a crucial step in making a raw wedding cake. Here are some tips to help you master the process:

• Practise on Real or Fake Cakes: You can buy styrofoam cake rounds from cake supply stores or craft stores to practise your icing and decoration skills. However, if you have already baked and frozen your cake layers, you can use those for practise as well.
• Choose the Right Icing: For beginners, it is best to opt for a sturdy icing that is easy to spread and manipulate. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, and Swiss meringue buttercream are all great choices as they are smooth, not too thick or thin, and pipe well.
• Make a Crumb Coat: Apply a thin layer of icing, known as a crumb coat, to your cake before the final coat of icing. This will help hold in any stray crumbs, ensuring a perfectly smooth finish. After applying the crumb coat, refrigerate your cake for 15-20 minutes to let the frosting set.
• Do a Trial Run: Practise icing and decorating your cake layers before the wedding day. This will help you perfect the recipes, adjust the icing consistency, and increase your comfort level with the process.
• Master the Technique: To achieve a casual swirl finish like a professional, practise blending colours and creating a swirl texture on your practise cakes.
• Add Final Touches: Once you have iced and decorated your cake, you can add some final touches like sprinkles, fresh flowers, or edible silver/gold leaf for a unique, rustic look.

Frequently asked questions