Creating Your Dream Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Making your own wedding cake is a fun and cost-effective way to add a personal touch to your special day. While it may seem daunting, with careful planning and the right tools, you can create a beautiful and delicious cake that will wow your guests. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make your own wedding cake.

Step 1: Choose a Recipe

Select a recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes to ensure it is sturdy enough and yields the right amount of batter and icing. Consider the size of your wedding and choose a recipe that will serve your guest count adequately.

Step 2: Gather Ingredients and Tools

Make a list of all the ingredients you will need for baking and icing the cake. Gather essential tools such as cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cardboard cake boards, non-flexible straws, and a platter to serve the cake.

Step 3: Practice and Plan

Before the big day, make a test cake and keep careful notes. Practise decorating techniques such as piping or icing, and decide on the final design and decorations. If using fresh flowers, order them from a florist, and if making sugar flowers or other intricate decorations, start early to allow for drying time.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Follow your chosen recipe and bake the cake layers. Allow the cakes to cool completely before assembling and decorating. If making a fruit cake, feed it with a spoonful of brandy or sherry regularly for a couple of weeks to make it moist and flavourful.

Step 5: Assemble and Decorate

Cover the cake with a layer of marzipan or fondant, smoothing it out to create a neat surface. Use a combination of fresh flowers, sugar flowers, icing, and other decorations to create your desired look. If stacking multiple tiers, insert dowels into the bottom tier for support and stability.

Step 6: Transport and Display

Plan the transportation of the cake to the wedding venue, ensuring a safe and secure journey. At the venue, carefully stack the tiers if necessary and add any final decorations. Display the cake on a cake stand or platter, and enjoy the admiration of your guests!

Choosing a cake recipe and design

If you are an experienced baker, a multiple-tiered wedding cake with stunning piping or a watercolour design may not be daunting at all. However, for those without as much experience, there are still options to create a beautiful homemade cake. Here are some tips to help you choose the right recipe and design for your wedding cake:

• Stick to a single tier: If you are a beginner, consider making a single-tier cake to avoid the tricky process of stacking multiple tiers. This will also be a more suitable option if you are expecting a smaller number of guests.
• Don't knock naked cakes: A naked or semi-naked cake is a great option for those who are less confident with frosting or decorating. This style leaves the sides of the cake partially or fully exposed, giving it a rustic look.
• Use plenty of florals and greenery: Fresh flowers and greenery are a simple and effective way to dress up a homemade wedding cake. They can also help to hide any flaws in the frosting or cake. Work with your florist to get extra flowers and greenery to match the rest of your wedding flowers.
• Decorate with other desserts: If you are opting to make only the cake, you can use other desserts such as macarons or mini doughnuts to enhance the look of your cake.
• Pick out pretty cupcake liners: If you are planning to make cupcakes for your wedding, elevate their look by using decorative cupcake wrappers or liners. You can find a variety of options online or in craft stores.

Remember that the most important thing is to choose a recipe and design that you feel confident with and that reflects your personal style. It's your special day, so have fun and be creative!

Gather ingredients and equipment

Gathering the right ingredients and equipment is the first step to making your own wedding cake. Here is a detailed list of what you will need:

Ingredients:

• Sugar (granulated or caster)
• Cake flour or plain flour
• Eggs
• Egg whites
• Sour cream
• Full-fat Greek yoghurt (optional)
• Whole milk
• Butter (unsalted or regular)
• Heavy/whipping cream
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)
• Lemon extract (optional)
• Cocoa powder (optional)
• Baking powder
• Baking soda/bicarbonate of soda
• Salt (regular or kosher)
• Vegetable/neutral-flavoured oil (avocado, grapeseed, canola, corn, or peanut)
• Fresh or dried fruit (optional)
• Brandy or other alcohol (optional)
• Marmalade (optional)
• Black treacle (optional)
• Self-raising flour (optional)
• Dark brown sugar (optional)
• Ground cinnamon (optional)
• Ground ginger (optional)
• Mixed spice (optional)
• Ground nutmeg (optional)

Equipment:

• Electric mixer (handheld or stand) with paddle attachment
• Round cake pans in various sizes (6", 8", 9", 12")
• Parchment paper
• Large serrated knife
• Cake boards in various sizes (6", 8", 9", 10", 12")
• Non-flexible straws or plastic/wooden dowels
• Platter or cake stand
• Pastry bag with round tip (size 3-7)
• Toothpicks
• Fresh flowers, cake toppers, or other decorations
• Lazy Susan (optional)
• Cake drum (optional)
• Cake smoother (optional)
• Turntable (optional)
• Rolling pin
• Sharp knife
• Posy picks (optional)
• Flowerpaste/gum paste (optional)
• Wire (optional)
• Stamens (optional)
• Edible glue/CMC (optional)
• Petal dust (optional)
• Modelling tools (optional)
• Pliers and wire cutters (optional)
• Florist's tape (optional)
• Petal veiner/modelling tool (optional)
• Paintbrushes (optional)
• Cake boxes (optional)

Bake the cakes

Baking the cakes is the first step in making your own wedding cake. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather all the ingredients. The exact quantities will depend on the recipe you choose and the size of your cake, but here's a general list of what you'll need:

• Flour (all-purpose or cake flour)
• Sugar (granulated or caster sugar)
• Baking powder and/or baking soda
• Salt
• Butter (unsalted or salted)
• Eggs
• Milk (whole milk, buttermilk, or another variety)
• Vanilla extract
• Other flavourings (e.g. almond extract, lemon zest)
• Sour cream

Equipment

You will also need the following equipment:

• Electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer)
• Cake pans in the desired size(s) (typically 6-inch and/or 9-inch round pans)
• Parchment paper
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Spatulas

Recipe

Now, it's time to bake! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe.
• Grease your cake pans and line them with parchment paper.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder/soda, and salt.
• With the mixer on low speed, gradually add softened butter to the dry mixture until it resembles wet sand.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Mix in the vanilla extract and any other flavourings.
• Add the milk and sour cream, and mix until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among your prepared cake pans.
• Bake the cakes according to your recipe's instructions, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.
• Invert the cakes onto wire racks to cool completely before assembling and decorating.

Tips

• Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
• Don't overmix the batter once you've added the flour, as this can toughen the gluten and affect the texture of your cake.
• Use a kitchen scale to ensure even distribution of batter among the pans.
• Alternatively, eyeball it and use your best judgement to divide the batter evenly.
• Allow the cakes to cool completely before attempting to decorate or assemble them.
• If you're making multiple cakes of different sizes, bake them separately to avoid overdoing or underdoing any of them.

Make the frosting

Making the frosting is a crucial step in creating a wedding cake. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to making the frosting for a wedding cake:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a vanilla buttercream frosting, you will need butter, sugar, vanilla, and milk. The specific quantities will depend on the size of your cake and your personal preference for frosting thickness. For example, a simple recipe for a 9" x 13" rectangular cake would include 1 cup (226g) of unsalted butter, 3 cups (375g) of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Before you begin making the frosting, ensure your butter is at room temperature. Test it by pressing a finger into the butter; if it gives and leaves an indent, it's ready.

Now, it's time to make the frosting! Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until it's creamy and smooth. You can then add in the salt, if using, and stir to combine.

Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, waiting until each addition is fully mixed before adding more. With the mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add the heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. If the frosting becomes too thin, simply add more powdered sugar. Conversely, if it's too thick, beat in a small amount of additional milk.

Finally, add the vanilla extract and stir well to combine. And that's it—your frosting is ready! You can pipe or spread it over your cooled cake or cupcakes. This frosting can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated in an airtight container for about a week.

Feel free to experiment with different flavors by adding a dash of almond extract or grated citrus zest. You can also try whipping up a batch of cream cheese frosting or fudge frosting for a tasty alternative.

Assemble and decorate

Now that you've baked your cakes, it's time to assemble and decorate! This is where your vision comes to life. Here are the steps to follow:

Prepare your workspace:

Before you begin, ensure you have a clean and spacious area to work in. Gather all the tools and ingredients you need, including cake boards, dowels, frosting, and any decorations you plan to use.

Level your cakes:

Using a large serrated knife, cut a thin layer off the tops of your cakes to create a flat surface. This step is crucial for ensuring your cake has a straight and stable foundation.

Create a crumb coat:

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake to catch any crumbs and create a smooth base for your final coat of frosting. Start by placing your bottom tier on a cake board. Use a large icing spatula to spread a scant amount of frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate the cake to allow the crumb coat to set. Repeat this process for the top tier.

Assemble the tiers:

To assemble the tiers, you'll need to insert dowels into the bottom tier for support. Measure the height of the bottom cake and cut the dowels accordingly. Place the dowels in the cake, spacing them evenly apart to form a stable structure. Place the cake board for the top tier on top of the dowels, and then carefully place the top tier on the board.

Frost and decorate:

Now, it's time to add the final coat of frosting. Use a large icing spatula to spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. You can create a smooth finish or add texture using a small icing spatula or a bench scraper. After frosting, you can decorate your cake with fresh flowers, berries, macarons, or any other desired toppings. You can also pipe frosting details, such as dots or borders, for a more intricate design.

Final touches:

Once you're happy with the frosting and decorations, it's time for the final touches. Add any decorative pieces, such as a cake topper or fresh flowers. If you're transporting the cake, carefully package it in a cake box or container to ensure it arrives safely at your venue.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and be creative! Don't stress too much about perfection; your handmade wedding cake will be a labour of love that your guests will surely appreciate.

Frequently asked questions