Creating Stacked Wedding Cake Cookies: A Step-By-Step Guide

Stacked wedding cake cookies are adorable miniature wedding cakes that make perfect treats for bridal showers or gifts for bridesmaids. They are simple to make and can be personalised with decorations that match the wedding or shower theme. The cookies are made by baking and stacking three round sugar cookies of different sizes, held together with royal icing or candy melts. The stacked cookies are then decorated with icing, sugar pearls, sprinkles, or fondant flowers.

Choosing the right recipe

Type of Cookie

Decide on the type of cookie you want as the base for your stacked wedding cake. Sugar cookies are a popular choice for this project, as they can be easily cut into uniform circles and stacked. They also hold their shape well during baking, ensuring you get perfect circles every time. If you opt for sugar cookies, look for a recipe that specifically mentions "no-spread" or "holds its shape."

Royal Icing

Royal icing is a crucial component of stacked wedding cake cookies, acting as the "glue" that holds the layers together. It also provides a smooth surface for decorating. When choosing a recipe, consider one that includes instructions for making and using royal icing. Alternatively, you can use candy melts as an alternative to royal icing for assembling the cookies.

Cookie Thickness

The thickness of your cookies will impact the overall stability and aesthetics of your stacked creation. A good guideline is to roll your cookie dough to about 1/4" to 1/2" thick. This thickness will provide a sturdy base for stacking while allowing you to create multiple layers. Thicker cookies may require longer baking times, so be sure to adjust your recipe accordingly.

Number of Cookies

Plan the number of cookies you will need for each stack. Each cake will typically consist of three cookies of varying sizes. For example, you might use three sizes: approximately 2", 1.5", and 1.25". However, you can adjust the sizes according to your preference. Remember to account for the number of guests you intend to serve or the number of favours you wish to create.

Decorations

Consider the decorations you want to use to enhance the appearance of your stacked wedding cake cookies. Sprinkles, sugar pearls, fondant flowers, and edible glitter are all popular choices. Choose a recipe that offers suggestions for decorations or provides guidance on attaching these embellishments using royal icing or candy melts.

Practice

Baking is a precise science, and it's always a good idea to do a trial run before the actual event. Choose a recipe that you feel comfortable with and that has clear, step-by-step instructions. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with the process and make any necessary adjustments. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Baking the cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F. While the oven is preheating, line two baking sheets with silicone mats and set them aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until they are light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer for this step.

Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until they are fully incorporated.

Now, add the remaining ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix until a dough forms.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch thickness. You can use circle cookie cutters in three different sizes to cut out your shapes. Remember, each cake will be made of three cookies, so plan accordingly. Place the cut-out circles on parchment paper-lined baking sheets and freeze for 10 minutes.

Bake the cookies in batches based on their size. The 2-inch cookies should bake for about 12 minutes, the 1.5-inch cookies for about 10 minutes, and the smallest cookies for about 8 minutes. Keep an eye on the first batch until you know how your oven will react.

Once the cookies are done, let them cool for about 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely before icing.

Icing the cookies

To start, divide your icing into two bowls, one to keep white and one to colour. Cover the bowl of icing you won't be using immediately with damp paper towels, then cover with wax paper and a rubber band to keep it from drying out.

When using food colouring, dip a toothpick into the colouring and wipe it into your icing, adding a little at a time until you're happy with the shade.

Next, you'll want to fill your pastry bag. There are many different types, but one with a plastic screw cap to hold your decorating tip in place is a good choice. Add your chosen decorating tip, fold the bag halfway down, and carefully spoon the frosting into the bag. Hold it over a paper towel as this can get messy.

Now, unfold the bag and fold it into thirds so you can easily hold it and pipe the frosting onto each cookie. The "flood fill" technique is a fun and effective method. Simply outline your cookie, then go back and fill in the centre. The icing will melt back into itself, resulting in a perfectly smooth finish.

Remember, the "flood fill" technique requires a 24-48 hour drying time before moving on to the next step. Make sure your icing is completely set before continuing, and don't cover the cookies, or they'll stick.

Once the icing is dry, you can assemble your wedding cakes. Fill your pastry bag with the icing you set aside earlier, the icing that wasn't thinned out. This frosting will act as glue to stack your cookies. Add a little to your largest cookie, then place the middle-sized cookie on top, and repeat. This batch of icing dries much quicker, so keep a moist paper towel over the tip when not in use.

Finally, decorate your stacked wedding cake cookies as you like. You can use sugar pearls, sprinkles, or fondant flowers, attaching them with clear piping gel or white candy melts.

Stacking the cookies

This frosting will act as a glue. Add a little to your largest cookie and then place the middle-sized cookie on top. Repeat this process, adding icing and stacking cookies until you have a two-layer cookie. Set the cookies aside to allow the icing to dry.

Now, reheat the candy melts until they are smooth and viscous. Spread a thin layer of candy melts over the top of one of the large cookie stacks. Shake the cookie gently to smooth out the candy melts. Place the medium cookie stack on top, centering it over the larger cookie. Pop the cookie in the freezer for 1-2 minutes until the candy hardens.

Continue topping the large cookies with the medium cookies. Allow the cookies to come to room temperature before adding a thin layer of candy melts or icing over the medium cookies, and then top them with the small cookies. Freeze for a minute or so to harden the candy.

Decorating the cookies

Once your cookies have cooled, it's time to decorate! You can decorate your stacked wedding cake cookies with royal icing, candy melts, or fondant. Here are some tips for each method:

Royal Icing:

• Use a simple royal icing recipe or a pre-made mix.
• Divide the icing into bowls and add food colouring to create your desired shades.
• Thin the icing with tiny amounts of water to create a "flood fill" consistency. The icing should easily fold back into itself.
• Fill a pastry bag with the icing and pipe it onto each cookie, outlining the cookie first and then filling in the centre.
• Allow the icing to dry completely (24-48 hours) before moving on to the next step.

Candy Melts or Fondant:

• Spread a thin layer of candy melts or fondant over the cookies, creating a smooth surface.
• Reheat the candy melts if they start to thicken, to ensure a smooth and viscous consistency.
• Place the cookies in the freezer for a few minutes to allow the candy melts or fondant to harden.

Embellishments:

• Once your base layer is complete, you can embellish your cookies with sprinkles, sugar pearls, or fondant flowers.
• Use clear piping gel or melted candy melts to attach your chosen embellishments.
• Get creative and personalise your cookies to match your wedding or bridal shower theme!

Remember to allow sufficient drying and setting time between each step, and always work with cooled cookies to ensure the best results. Happy decorating!

Frequently asked questions