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

Wedding cakes are a quintessential part of the big day. However, a traditional tiered wedding cake can be expensive. A wedding sheet cake is a more affordable option that can be just as beautiful and delicious. Sheet cakes are also easier to make and decorate yourself if you're looking to save money on your wedding. This introduction will cover the benefits of choosing a wedding sheet cake, as well as provide some recipe and decoration ideas for those who want to make their own.

How to Make a Wedding Sheet Cake

Choosing a flavour/recipe

Choosing a flavour and recipe for your wedding sheet cake is an important part of the process. It's your big day, so you want to make sure that the cake tastes as good as it looks.

There are many options to choose from when it comes to flavours and recipes for wedding sheet cakes. A basic white sheet cake is a popular choice as it can be decorated in various ways and is not too complicated to make. You can add colours to the icing to match your wedding palette or the colours of your bridal bouquet. If you're a fan of almond, you can add almond extract to the batter and frosting for a little extra creaminess.

For a summer wedding, a fresh strawberry sheet cake could be a good option. This type of cake is not only topped with fresh strawberries but also has strawberries baked into the batter. It's then covered with vanilla-flavoured cream cheese frosting and halved strawberries.

If you're looking for something a little more unique, you could try a mini confetti wedding sheet cake. These mini round confetti cakes are a wonderful alternative to a traditional wedding cake and can be decorated with edible flowers.

Another option is the All-American Sheet Cake, which is easy to make and can be decorated with fresh fruits, crystallized fruits, and flowers or any other decorations that suit your special day.

Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavours and recipes to find the perfect wedding sheet cake for your big day.

Buying a boxed cake mix

When buying a boxed cake mix, consider the brand and type of cake mix that will best suit your needs. Some popular brands include Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, and Pillsbury, which can be found at most grocery stores. These mixes typically come in flavours such as vanilla, chocolate, and funfetti. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you can find mixes from brands like Simple Mills and Pamela's online.

Keep in mind that boxed cake mixes usually require additional ingredients like eggs and oil, so be sure to check the package instructions before purchasing all the necessary ingredients. Additionally, consider the size of the mix and whether it will be enough for your wedding sheet cake. Some mixes may require you to bake multiple batches to achieve the desired size.

To enhance the flavour and texture of your boxed cake mix, you can add a few simple ingredients. For example, adding full-fat sour cream can make the cake extra moist and flavourful. You can also include sprinkles to make it a funfetti cake or almond extract for a more complex flavour profile.

By following the package instructions and making a few simple adjustments, you can create a delicious and elegant wedding sheet cake using a boxed cake mix as your foundation.

Decorating the cake

A simple way to decorate your cake is to add colour to the icing to match your wedding palette, the colours of your bridal bouquet, or the season in which you are getting married. For example, you could use crystallised flowers or candied lemon slices for a spring wedding, fresh fruit for a summer wedding, and berries for an autumn wedding. You could also add a personalised cake topper.

For a more complex design, you could add airbrushed or iced photographs, words, or phrases to the surface of the cake. You could also add a small second tier in the corner of the cake to add height, or arrange small sheet cakes on a tiered wedding cake stand to mimic a traditional cake profile. Fresh or edible flowers can be placed around the sides of the cake, and the cake can be covered in rosettes of various sizes in multiple hues of the same colour.

If you want to add height to your cake, you could create a tiered effect by layering two sheet cakes with a cream filling and fresh strawberries, as demonstrated by TikTok user @theicingartist. This can then be decorated with gold leaf and fresh flowers.

Serving the cake

Wedding sheet cakes are usually kept out of sight of guests and are cut and served discreetly from the kitchen. The couple may choose to have a smaller single-tier cake on display that resembles the design of the sheet cake. This is known as a "show cake" and is used for the couple to make their symbolic first cut.

Sheet cakes are typically cut into small rectangular or square pieces, measuring around 2" by 3". To ensure uniformity, you can request that the bakery scores the cake prior to delivery.

If you want to dress up each slice of sheet cake, you can add decorative plating options such as:

• A swirl or heart of chocolate or fruit sauce
• Fresh berries or a strawberry/lemon wedge
• Powdered sugar or cocoa sprinkled over the cake and plate
• A decorative dab of icing
• Garnishes that complement the cake flavour, such as a sprig of mint for chocolate cake or a lemon wedge for a spring sponge cake

Advantages of a Sheet Cake

Sheet cakes offer several benefits over a traditional, large tiered wedding cake:

• Cost: Sheet cakes are much more affordable, costing around $1 to $3 per slice compared to $2 to $10 or more for a slice of a traditional wedding cake.
• Speed: Sheet cakes can be created much more quickly by bakeries, making them a good option for couples planning a surprise wedding or with limited time to plan.
• Waste: Traditional wedding cakes are often elaborately arranged, and much of the cake may be wasted as it falls apart during cutting. Sheet cakes are sturdier and less likely to be wasted.
• Safety: A sheet cake is a safer option for weddings with children, unpredictable weather, or where the cake may be subject to transportation stresses.
• Symmetry: The rectangular shape of a sheet cake makes it easier to cut into equal pieces.

Cutting the cake

The first thing to consider when it comes to cutting your wedding sheet cake is the size of the slices. Wedding sheet cakes are usually cut into small rectangular or square pieces, typically measuring about 2" by 3". You can, of course, cut them larger or smaller as desired and if you want to ensure uniformity, you can request that the bakery scores the cake prior to delivery.

Now, onto the fun part: the cake-cutting ceremony! Traditionally, the couple makes the first cut together, feeding a small piece to one another. This is a symbolic gesture and a great photo opportunity. You can then choose to have a member of the catering staff cut the rest of the cake or you can continue cutting it yourselves and personally serve your guests.

If you've opted for a small display cake, you can cut this first and then cut the sheet cake in the kitchen, out of sight of your guests. Alternatively, you can cut the sheet cake first and use the display cake purely for decoration.

If you're serving a sheet cake with multiple tiers, you can cut each tier separately, or cut them together as if they were one large cake.

Frequently asked questions