Wedding & Birthday Cake: Baking, Decorating, And Delighting

Wedding and birthday cakes are both centrepieces of their respective celebrations, but they differ in a few key ways. Wedding cakes are usually smaller in size than birthday cakes, as wedding cake slices are smaller than birthday cake slices. Wedding cakes also tend to be more complex in design, with multiple tiers and decorations such as flowers. Both cakes require careful planning, practice and a lot of icing.

Choosing a recipe

When choosing a recipe for a wedding or birthday cake, it's important to consider the size of the cake and the number of servings required. Wedding cake slices are typically smaller than birthday cake slices, so you'll need to adjust your recipe accordingly. For a three-tier wedding cake, you'll need to make three cakes of 12", 9", and 6", as well as a large amount of icing. Most three-tier cake recipes will provide a step-by-step schedule for baking and assembling each part.

It's also important to choose a recipe that is sturdy enough to hold up under the weight of multiple layers and decorations. A recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes will ensure that the cake is sturdy and that you have the right amount of batter and icing. You may also want to consider making a test cake to practice your technique and adjust the recipe as needed.

If you're making a birthday cake, you can be more flexible with your recipe choice, as birthday cakes are typically less formal and can be more creative in terms of flavour and decoration. However, it's still important to consider the size of the cake and the number of servings required.

Practising your cake-making skills in advance is always a good idea, especially if you're making a wedding cake. You can bake the wedding cake flavours for other occasions leading up to the wedding to perfect the recipe and increase your comfort level with baking cakes.

Practising layers and decorations

It's important to practice your cake decorating skills before the big day. You can easily make extra icing and practice shapes on test cakes (or even on silicone mats). You can also make a test cake and keep careful notes. This will help you perfect the recipe and adjust it to fit the wedding day pan size. If you're making a three-tier cake, you'll need to make three cakes of 12", 9" and 6", as well as a massive amount of icing. Most three-tier cake recipes have a step-by-step schedule for when you will need to bake and assemble each part.

You can also practice piping or icing ahead of time. If you're using fresh flowers, be sure to order exactly what you want from a florist. Secure a wedding topping, flowers, or other decorative items well before the wedding.

For a birthday cake, you can follow a similar process. However, keep in mind that birthday cake slices are typically larger than wedding cake slices, so you may need to make a larger cake. You can also practice decorating with candles and other birthday-themed items.

Making a test cake

Before you begin baking, it is a good idea to assemble all the tools you will need. This includes things like mixing bowls, measuring cups, spatulas, and cake pans. It is also helpful to have a plan for how you want to decorate the cake. You can practice piping or icing ahead of time, and even make extra icing to practice shapes on test cakes or silicone mats. If you plan to use fresh flowers or other decorative items, it is a good idea to secure them well in advance.

When making a test cake, it is also important to consider the size of the slices. Wedding cake slices are typically smaller than birthday cake slices, so you will need to adjust your recipe accordingly. It is also a good idea to practice assembling and decorating the cake, as this can be a tricky process. You may also want to practice transporting the cake, as this can be a challenging task, especially for a large or tiered cake.

Finally, don't forget to clear a large space in your refrigerator for the cake. You may need to remove a shelf to make room. If you are making a wedding cake, you will also need to arrange transport to the venue and speak to the caterer or venue manager about refrigeration details. Making a test cake is a great way to ensure that you are prepared for any challenges that may arise when making a wedding or birthday cake.

Sizing and quantities

If you are making a cake for a birthday, it is worth considering how many people you will be serving. You can use a cake-cutting guide to advise you on how large a cake you will need.

It is also worth considering the size of the pan you will be using. You may need to adjust your recipe to fit the pan size.

If you are making a wedding cake, it is worth making a test cake first and keeping careful notes. You can also practice piping or icing on test cakes or silicone mats.

Transport and refrigeration

When it comes to transporting a wedding cake, it's a good idea to use a recipe specifically designed for this purpose, as it will ensure the cake is sturdy enough and that you have the right amount of batter and icing. A three-tier cake, for example, typically requires three cakes of different sizes (12", 9", and 6") and a substantial amount of icing. Most recipes will provide a step-by-step schedule for baking and assembling each part. It's also beneficial to make a test cake beforehand and keep careful notes.

For birthday cakes, it's worth noting that slices are typically larger than those served at weddings, so you may need to adjust the size of the cake accordingly. Additionally, if you're planning to use fresh flowers as decorations, be sure to order them from a florist in advance.

To ensure the cake stays fresh during transport, it's recommended to apply the final coat of buttercream and store the cake in the refrigerator the day before delivery. If you're using buttercream flowers, they can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.

Frequently asked questions