Creating A Grand Pillar Wedding Cake

Putting together a tiered wedding cake with pillars is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure the cake's stability and structural integrity. The first step is to choose the type of pillars and plates to use, with options including Grecian, Roman, or square filigree styles, as well as the number of plates and pillars needed for each tier. The cake layers should be placed on separator plates, which are then secured to the pillars. The pillars should be pushed into the cake until they touch the cake board, providing stability and preventing the top tiers from compressing the lower ones. Each tier should have its own set of pillars and plates, and the process should be repeated until all tiers are stacked securely. It is recommended to assemble the cake close to the event venue to reduce the risk of transportation.

Use pillars and plates to separate tiers

Using pillars and separator plates is a great way to create a stunning, tall tiered wedding cake. This method ensures that your cake is stable and secure, and it can also be used to create a beautiful display with flowers or other decorations between the tiers. Here's a step-by-step guide to using pillars and plates to separate the tiers of your wedding cake:

Choose the Right Pillars and Plates:

• There are a variety of pillars available in the market, such as Grecian, Roman, or square filigrees. They come in different shapes, colours, and heights, so choose the ones that match your wedding theme and the height of your cake tiers.
• For each tier, you will typically need four pillars. So, for a three-tiered cake, you will need two sets of pillars.
• Separator plates are must-haves for tiered cakes with pillars. These plates have special knobs (usually four) underneath that secure the pillars, resulting in a stable cake structure.
• When purchasing plates and pillars, ensure that the pillars can fit securely into the knobs on the separator plates. Otherwise, your cake structure may not be stable.

Prepare Your Cake Tiers:

• Each cake tier should be placed on a separator plate, except for the lowest tier.
• The diameter of the separator plates can be slightly larger or the same as the cake it is holding, depending on your cake design.
• If you plan to pipe a large border, choose a separator plate that is at least half an inch larger than the diameter of the cake.

Mark the Pillar Points:

Start with the base cake. Place the separator plate of the next layer on top of the base cake, gently pressing it down to mark where the pillars will go. Be careful not to press too hard and spoil the icing.

Insert the Pillars:

Remove the separator plate and set it aside. On the base cake, where you have marked for the pillars, poke each pillar until you feel them touching the cake board.

Stack the Cake Layers:

• Once all the pillars are securely inserted into the cake, place the next tier on top of the pillars. Ensure that the pillars are well-secured to the knobs underneath the separator plate of the tier above.
• Repeat this process until all the cake tiers are safely stacked on the pillars.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to assemble the cake at the event venue, especially for tall cakes with pillars, to avoid any damage during transportation.
• If you are using a soft filling for your cake, it is important to chill the cake before adding another layer to prevent it from leaning or becoming lopsided.
• For heavy cakes or cakes larger than 6 inches in diameter, it is advisable to use cake boards between the tiers for additional support.

Don't use clear, pointed pillars

When putting together a tiered wedding cake with pillars, it is important to know which pillars to avoid. Clear, pointed pillars, also known as crystal-look or spike pillars, are not recommended for use. These pillars are intended to be pushed directly into the cake, with a plate placed on top. However, they can cause instability and compromise the structure of the cake.

Instead, it is advised to use a two-plate/pillar setup, which provides more stability and support for the tiers. The two types of pillars commonly used are Grecian and Roman, and there is also a third option of square filigrees. These pillars are either 3, 5, or 7 inches tall, and the flowers or other decorations can be placed between the plates, surrounding the pillars.

When using a two-plate system, the height of each tier is not a concern, as the pillars provide the necessary separation. This system ensures that the cake remains stable and secure, reducing the risk of collapse or instability during transportation or display.

Another important consideration is the use of cake boards or separator plates. Cake boards made of cardboard or other materials are placed between each tier to provide additional support and prevent sinking or uneven layers. Separator plates, on the other hand, are used specifically for tiered cakes with pillars and have knobs underneath to secure the pillars, resulting in a stable structure.

By following these recommendations and avoiding clear, pointed pillars, you can create a beautiful and stable tiered wedding cake with pillars.

Use cake boards between tiers

Using cake boards between the tiers of your wedding cake is essential for stability and to prevent the cake from sinking or becoming wonky. Even if you are stacking smaller cakes, it is strongly advised to use cake boards.

Each tier of your cake should be placed on a cake card or cake board of the same size. The bottom tier, however, will need a thicker cake board to support the entire weight of the cake. This is the only cake board that should be visible.

If you are using pillars to separate the tiers, you will need to use separator plates instead of cake boards. These plates have special knobs that the pillars can be secured into, resulting in a stable cake support structure. The separator plates can be slightly larger in diameter than the cake or the same diameter, depending on your cake design.

When using pillars, it is important to mark the placement of the pillars on the base cake before inserting them. Place the separator plate of the next layer on the base cake and gently press it down to mark the spots for the pillars. Remove the separator plate and insert the pillars into the marked spots on the base cake. Push the pillars straight down until they touch the cake board.

Once all the pillars are securely in place, you can stack the next tier on top of the pillars. Repeat this process for each additional tier.

Assemble cakes with pillars

To assemble a tiered wedding cake with pillars, you will need a base cake board, cake separator plates, and pillars.

Firstly, place your base cake on the largest cake board. This board should be thick and sturdy enough to support the weight of the entire cake.

Next, you will need to mark where the pillars will go. Place the separator plate of the next layer on the base cake and gently press it down to mark where the pillars will go. Repeat this process for each tier, working from the largest to the smallest tier.

Now, take your base cake tier and insert the pillars into the marked spots. Push them straight down until they touch the cake board.

Then, place each of the remaining cake layers on their respective separator plates, securing them with icing.

Finally, stack the cakes by placing the feet of the separator plate on the pillar openings. Repeat this process until all the cakes are securely stacked on the pillars.

You can decorate the cake with flowers or other ornaments by placing them between the separator plates.

Use dowels or straws to support cakes

When assembling a tiered wedding cake, it is important to use supports to prevent the cake from collapsing under its own weight. While pillars are one type of support, they do not bear the full weight of the cake tiers above them. This is where dowels or straws come in.

Dowel rods are long, thin wooden rods that are widely available in craft and baking specialty shops. Plastic cake rods function in the same way as wooden rods. Dowel rods are typically used for stacked cakes, where a single long rod is inserted through all the cake tiers from the top to the bottom tier to hold them in place. For a stacked cake, you will need a base cake board that is a few inches larger than the lowest tier and cake boards for each of the other tiers.

Bubble tea straws or Boba straws are thicker than regular straws and perfect for pushing into a chilled cake. They are also strong, easy to cut, and inexpensive. When using straws, you will follow the same process as with dowels, inserting them into each layer before stacking the next cake tier on top. For each cake tier, you will need at least four straws or dowels, placed in a circular pattern with a gap of 2 to 3 inches apart.

For a four-tiered cake, you will need two sets of pillars, with each tier typically requiring four pillars. The pillars should be inserted into the cake until they touch the cake board below. The next tier can then be placed on top of the pillars. This process is repeated for each tier.

Whether you use dowels or straws, it is important to measure their height against the cake tier they will be supporting. Mark the rod or straw at the height of the cake, then remove it and cut it to size. This will ensure that your supports are level with the top of the cake and not visible once the next tier is placed on top.

Frequently asked questions