Creating Wedding Cake Staircase Magic: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a wedding cake with stairs is a challenging but rewarding endeavour. The cake can be decorated with a spiralling staircase around a single pillar, or with a simple set of steps. To make a spiralling staircase, you will need to plan the staircase, prepare the steps, make the bushes and shrubs, carve and coat the cakes, and assemble the various components. You will also need a range of tools and materials, including PVC pipes, a rolling pin, a powder shaker, a needle or pin, and various types of cardboard and foil. For a simpler set of stairs, you can purchase ready-made decorations made from plastic or crystal, or create your own using pastillage, a thick sugar paste that dries hard and brittle.

Planning the staircase and preparing the steps

Planning the Staircase:

Firstly, determine the size and design of your staircase. Consider the overall height and width of the staircase, as well as the number of steps required. If you're creating a spiral staircase, plan the angle and curvature carefully. You can use flipchart sheets, semi-transparent silicone baking sheets, or white cellophane sheets to sketch out your design. Additionally, consider downloading or creating a blueprint of your cake to ensure precise measurements.

Preparing the Steps:

The preparation of the steps involves creating the individual tiers that will make up the staircase. Here's a suggested process:

• Decide on the number of steps and their respective heights. Each step will typically be a separate tier of the cake.
• Cut your cake layers accordingly. You can use a round cutter set to achieve uniform sizes for each step.
• Prepare your cake boards. Cut out MDF boards or cardboard in circles slightly smaller than your cake layers. These will provide a stable base for each step.
• Cover your cake boards. You can use fabric, velvet, or thin cardboard to give each step a neat and elegant finish.
• Assemble the tiers. Stack and secure your cake layers and boards, creating a sturdy base for the staircase. Ensure each tier is level and stable before proceeding.
• Apply a crumb coat. This thin layer of frosting will seal in the crumbs, creating a smooth surface for the final layer of frosting or fondant.
• Finalize the decoration. You can use fondant, pastillage, or frosting to create the desired look for each step. Consider the colour, texture, and any additional decorations you wish to add. Allow sufficient drying time before assembling the staircase onto the cake.

Remember, these are general guidelines, and you can always adapt them to suit your specific design and requirements.

Preparing the staircase side posts

To prepare the staircase side posts, you will need the following tools and materials:

• Set of PVC pipes (30mm to 40mm thick, 40cm and 20cm long)
• Rolling pin (30cm long)
• Powder shaker (filled with starch)
• Needle or pin (to pop air bubbles)
• Flipchart sheets (70cm x 50cm)
• Semi-transparent silicon baking sheets (70cm x 50cm)
• White cellophane sheets (70cm x 50cm, on the side matt)
• Basic stationery (pencils, marker pens, ruler, etc.)
• Semi-transparent plastic file separators
• Flat wooden coffee stirrer

First, use the rolling pin to roll out the pastillage to a thickness of approximately 3mm. You can use the starch in the powder shaker to dust the surface and prevent sticking. Next, cut out the side posts using the templates provided in the downloadable course material. Be sure to allow enough space for the brick indentations.

Use the needle or pin to pop any air bubbles in the pastillage. Gently lift the side posts and place them on the semi-transparent silicon baking sheets to dry. You can use the flat wooden coffee stirrer to create the brick indentations on the side posts. Allow the side posts to dry completely before handling.

Once the side posts are dry, you can attach them to the staircase using a suitable adhesive. Be sure to follow the instructions provided in the assembly tutorial for proper placement and positioning.

Building spiral stairs

Building a spiral staircase for a wedding cake requires careful planning and preparation. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Planning the Staircase and Preparing the Steps:

Start by printing the downloadable blueprints and templates for the spiralling staircase from the Yeners Way website. Gather the necessary tools and materials, including PVC pipes, a rolling pin, a powder shaker, a needle or pin, flipchart sheets, semi-transparent silicon baking sheets, white cellophane sheets, basic stationery, semi-transparent plastic file separators, and a flat wooden coffee stirrer.

Preparing the Staircase Side Posts:

Use PVC pipes with a thickness of 30-40mm and lengths of 40cm and 20cm. Cut and shape the pipes to create the desired design for the staircase side posts. Ensure they are sturdy enough to support the weight of the staircase.

Making the Bushes and Shrubs:

Create bushes and shrubs for the staircase using a mixture of sloppy royal icing and rolled oats. Colour the mixture with light green and light pink shades to achieve a realistic look.

Use pastillage, a thick sugar paste that dries hard and brittle, to create the steps for the spiral staircase. Prepare the pastillage in light grey and white colours. Cut and shape the pastillage into the desired step shapes, allowing them to dry completely before assembly.

Assembling the Staircase Steps:

Carefully attach the prepared pastillage steps to the central pillar, ensuring they are secure and level. Use a strong food-safe adhesive to join the pieces together.

Assembling the Staircase Side Posts:

Fix the prepared staircase side posts to the central pillar and the steps. Ensure they are firmly attached and aligned correctly.

Making the Staircase Handrail:

Create a twisting handrail using a thin, flexible material such as florist wire or sugar paste. Securely attach the handrail to the staircase, creating a smooth and continuous spiral design.

Piping Decorations on the Staircase:

Use royal icing or buttercream to pipe additional decorations onto the staircase, such as intricate patterns or vines along the handrail. You can also add sugar flowers or other embellishments to enhance the overall design.

Remember to refer to the Yeners Way tutorial for more detailed instructions and visual guidance on building a spiral staircase for a wedding cake.

Buying pre-made decorative stairs

If you're looking for pre-made decorative stairs for your wedding cake, there are a few options available. Here are some details to help you make your decision:

A1 Bakery Supplies Wedding Cake Step Decorative Stair 2 Pack:

This product comes with two sets of decorative stairs, which is convenient if you have a multi-tiered cake or want to have a backup in case of any mishaps. They are made of plastic and are white in color, fitting most traditional wedding cake themes. Reviews mention that they are bigger than expected, so be sure to measure your cake before ordering. Overall, this product has good reviews, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

CakeSupplyShop Elegant Crystal Clear Tiered Wedding Cake Step Decoration Princess Castle Stair:

This product offers a single set of crystal clear decorative stairs, adding a touch of elegance to your wedding cake. It can also be used for other purposes, such as building a model castle or playing with Frozen-themed characters. While some customers found the stairs to be too large for their cakes, others praised their appearance and versatility. This product has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

Cakesupplyshop Packaged Sk987 Romantic Princess Plastic White Tiered Wedding Cake Step Decoration Stair - 2 Pack:

This option also comes with two sets of decorative stairs, ensuring you have enough for your cake. The stairs are made of plastic and have a romantic princess theme, adding a whimsical touch to your wedding cake. While there are limited reviews for this specific product, the Cakesupplyshop brand is known for its high-quality cake decorating solutions.

Large Cake Stairs Decorative Wedding Cake Wedding Decor Marriage (White):

If you're looking for something a little more substantial, these large cake stairs might be a good option. They are made of plastic and are white in color, fitting most traditional wedding themes. There is limited information about this product, but it could be worth considering if you want something that makes a statement.

CakedDrake Cake Topper Decor, Wedding and Anniversary, Frosted Crystal Stair Bridge:

For a more unique option, consider these frosted crystal stair bridges from CakedDrake. This product offers a set of six decorative stairs that can be used as cake toppers, adding a whimsical touch to your wedding cake. While there is limited information about this product, it could be a good choice if you're looking for something a little different.

Using a downloadable guide

If you're looking for a more comprehensive guide to making stairs for a wedding cake, you might want to consider purchasing a downloadable tutorial. These typically come in PDF format and provide step-by-step instructions, as well as templates and tools lists, to help you create impressive structures.

One such example is Serdar Yener's "Spiralling Staircase and Assembly of Fairy Tale Wedding Cake" tutorial. This guide teaches you how to create and assemble a spiralling staircase around a single pillar, with additional lessons on landscape shaping, preparing pastillage steps, and building spiral stairs. It also includes blueprints, construction plans, and guides for the spiralling staircase.

Another option is to purchase a downloadable tutorial from Amazon.com, such as the "Step-By-Step Holiday Tree/Christmas Tree Cake Pan" guide. While not specifically for wedding cakes, this tutorial could provide a good foundation for understanding how to construct and decorate tiered cakes.

These downloadable guides offer a more detailed and structured approach to learning the craft of cake decoration and are ideal for those seeking a more comprehensive understanding of the techniques involved.

Frequently asked questions