Wave Frosting Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Creating a wave effect on a wedding cake is a fun and impressive technique to add to your cake-decorating repertoire. While there are many ways to create waves on a cake, one of the easiest methods is to use buttercream frosting and a spatula to form deep, spackle-like swirls into the surface of the frosting. This Spackle-Like Swirl technique can be enhanced by using a mix of white, blue, and darker blue buttercream to make the waves look alive and give the illusion of ocean waves. For a more textured look, you can use a cake comb, and adding piped flowers or other decorations can further enhance the design.

Using a bench scraper to create the wave effect

Creating a wave effect on a wedding cake is an impressive yet simple technique that can be achieved using a bench scraper. This method can be used on a wedding cake of any size, and the beauty of it is that you can use a bench scraper of any size—it doesn't have to be tall.

First, prepare your cake by applying a crumb coat. Make sure this is slightly thicker than usual and then place the cake in the freezer for around 15-20 minutes to firm it up before adding the second coat of frosting. This will help create a firm base coat so you're less likely to remove too much frosting when creating the wave effect.

Now, take your bench scraper and hold it vertically against the side of the cake. Starting at the bottom, gently press the scraper into the frosting and slowly move it upwards, following the contour of the cake. As you reach the top, carefully pull the scraper away from the cake, creating a graceful, fluid wave. Repeat this process all around the cake, making sure to clean your bench scraper after every few waves to ensure crisp lines.

For an eye-catching finish, consider using different colours of frosting to create the illusion of ocean waves. You can do this by dying your frosting shades of blue and white, or even adding a darker blue spray to accentuate the curls and bottoms of the waves.

How to make a fondant wave effect

Ingredients and Tools

• White sugar paste/fondant
• Ice blue paste colouring
• Royal Icing
• Sugar glue (CMC added to a little hot water)
• Comb modelling tool
• Comb
• Brush
• Sharp knife

Instructions

Firstly, colour some white sugar paste/fondant with smudges of ice blue paste colouring, but don't fully blend it in. You can use any method you normally adopt for a marbling effect and cover your cake with the marbled fondant.

Roll out a small sausage of the marbled paste/fondant, taking care not to completely blend in the colours. Using the fleshy part of your palm, flatten the paste.

Now, use a comb or comb modelling tool to drag the flattened part of the fondant towards you in irregular lines. Make sure the edge isn't even, but keep it fairly firm as it needs to stay up when placed on the cake.

With a sharp knife, cut a strip of the textured paste and carefully lift it off without breaking the edges or creasing it too much.

Apply some sugar glue to the straight part of the textured piece and attach it to the cake. Tease the edges to replicate movement and let this dry.

Use the comb/comb tool to drag the icing from the join so that the pattern continues onto the cake, making the join appear seamless.

Next, mix up some Royal Icing to a stiff peak consistency and pipe it onto the tips of the waves in an irregular fashion. You can also pipe some of the icing directly onto the join of the wave and onto the cake itself to create a foamy effect.

Using a damp, medium-round-tipped brush, drag the piping from the tips downwards, as you would for brush embroidery. Pipe some more Royal Icing onto the cake and, using the brush embroidery method, drag the lines inward to enhance the foamy effect.

Repeat the above steps to create waves and brushwork around the entire cake. You can use the same waves to conceal any fondant supports you use for your figures on top of the cake.

Using a spatula to create swirls and peaks

To create swirls and peaks using a spatula, start by applying a crumb coat, a thin, even layer of frosting, to your wedding cake. This will help to smooth the frosting surface and trap stray crumbs.

Next, you will need to prepare a semi-smooth finish. Apply the buttercream evenly across the cake, aiming for a rustic and "home-made" look that is not messy.

Once the buttercream is applied, use a spatula to create deep, spackle-like swirls and natural-looking strokes. Draw "S" and "C" shapes, making sure to switch directions as you move around the cake. You can also try holding the spatula perpendicular to the turntable and carefully spiralling it around the cake by moving the spatula up the height of the cake.

Clean up any excess frosting on the top edge by pulling it towards the centre of the cake with an offset spatula. Finish off the top with a spiral.

Choosing the right colours for the frosting

When it comes to choosing the right colours for your wedding cake frosting, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Do you want a sleek and elegant look, or something more fun and playful? The colour of the frosting can play a significant role in achieving your desired look.

If you're opting for a traditional white wedding cake, you might want to stick to a white or ivory frosting. This can create a classic and elegant appearance. White or ivory frosting can be achieved with various types of frosting, such as fondant, buttercream, or meringue buttercream. Fondant, in particular, is known for its ability to create a flawless, satin-like finish.

On the other hand, if you want to add a pop of colour to your wedding cake, you can choose from a range of hues. Consider the colour scheme of your wedding and select a shade that complements it. For example, if you're having a summer wedding, you might opt for pastel colours such as blush pink, mint green, or pale yellow. If you're having a bolder wedding palette, you can choose richer colours such as burgundy, navy, or even black.

When selecting the colour for your frosting, it's important to keep in mind the flavour of the cake. You don't want the colour to be misleading or unappetising. For example, if you choose a bright purple frosting, ensure that the cake has some berry or grape elements to justify the colour. Additionally, be mindful of the potential for staining. As mentioned earlier, some frostings, like buttercream and meringue buttercream, can stain your guests' mouths if dark colours are used.

Lastly, consider the temperature and conditions of your wedding venue. If you're having an outdoor summer wedding, avoid frostings that are susceptible to melting, such as Italian and Swiss meringue buttercream. Instead, opt for fondant or ganache, which hold up well in warmer temperatures.

The best types of icing to use for wave effects

Creating a wave effect on a wedding cake is an impressive skill and one that can be achieved with a few different types of icing. The best types of icing to use for a wave effect are:

Buttercream Frosting

This is the most common type of frosting and is made by combining a fat, typically butter, with a sweet base such as powdered sugar. It is thick, creamy, and spreadable, making it perfect for creating waves. It is also easy to make and can be flavoured and coloured as desired.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

This type of buttercream is made with egg whites and has a subtle flavour, making it easy to flavour and colour. It is known for its airy, silky texture and is often used for wedding cakes as it is white and elegant. It is a good choice for creating wave effects as it is soft and pipeable.

Italian Meringue Buttercream

Another meringue-based buttercream, this type is less prone to melting in warmer climates, making it a good choice for outdoor weddings. It has a creamy, smooth, and silky texture and is highly stable, which will be useful for creating wave effects. It is also white, making it a good choice for a wedding cake.

Cream Cheese Frosting

This type of frosting is similar to buttercream but replaces some of the butter with cream cheese, resulting in a tangy and sweet flavour. It has a smooth and creamy texture and is pipeable, making it suitable for creating waves. However, it can be prone to melting in warmer conditions, so it should be refrigerated when not in use.

Whipped Cream Frosting

This type of frosting has a fluffy and airy consistency and is made from heavy cream that is whipped to perfection. It creates a light and delicate layer that is perfect for summer weddings. However, it is very soft and prone to collapsing, so it should be used right away or refrigerated.

Fondant Icing

Fondant is a sugar paste that gives a cake an elegant, smooth, and professional look. It is stiff and malleable and can be rolled out into sheets and shaped, making it suitable for creating waves. It can also be easily coloured to match any wedding theme.

Frequently asked questions