Stacking Cheese Wedding Cakes: A Step-By-Step Guide

Stacked cheese wedding cakes are a unique alternative to traditional wedding cakes. They are made by stacking wheels of cheese on top of each other to form a tower, usually with the hardest cheeses at the bottom and the softest at the top. The height of each wheel is less important than the diameter, which should increase towards the base of the tower like a traditional wedding cake. Cheese cakes can be decorated with flowers, fruit, crackers, nuts, and other garnishes. They can be served as an appetizer or after dinner, and can be paired with crackers, charcuterie, and other snacks.

Choosing the right cheeses

The cheeses you select for your wedding cake are crucial. You'll want to opt for a variety of different kinds of cheese with distinct textures and flavours to ensure your tower has depth and complexity.

Types of Cheese

The types of cheese you choose will depend on your personal preference, but it's a good idea to include a range of soft, hard, and semi-soft cheeses. Here are some examples:

• Soft cheeses: Brie, Camembert, Ismay, Goat's cheese, Robiola, Blue cheese, Cornish Blue, Gorgonzola, Boursin, Goat Cheese, Cornish Yarg, Ash-covered goat's milk cheese, Creamy British Brie, St Nectaire, Blue, Triple-cream, French softie, Taleggio, Raclette, Creamy Brie, Goat's milk cheese
• Semi-soft cheeses: Gouda, Manchego, Wensleydales, Cheddar, Colston Bassett Stilton, Stiltons, Gruyère, Pecorino, French Brie, Tomme, Natural rind cheddars, Alpines, Tommes
• Hard cheeses: Cheddar, Waxed rind cheddars, Gruyere, Manchego, Parmesan

Unique Flavours

In addition to the classic types of cheese, you can also incorporate some unique flavours into your wedding cake. Here are some ideas:

• Blue cheese
• Truffle-infused varieties
• Pungent washed-rind cheese
• Natural rind blue
• Waxed rind cheddars
• Smoked cheese
• Textured cheese, such as Dorstone

Amount of Cheese

When deciding on the amount of cheese to order, consider the number of guests you'll be serving and the fact that a wedding cake is typically double the quantity of a normal portion per guest. The standard serving size per person is 4 ounces, but for a wedding cake, you should plan for at least 8 ounces or more per person.

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Don't forget to consider any allergies or dietary restrictions your guests may have. Label your cheeses and their ingredients to ensure that those with allergies or dietary restrictions can make informed choices. Highlight whether a cheese is suitable for vegetarians, and include a list of ingredients to accommodate those with specific dietary needs.

Stacking the wheels

For hard and semi-hard cheese wheels, simply stack them on top of each other. For softer wheels, cut wooden skewers to act as internal supports. Insert them every few inches and cut them flush with the top of the cheese. You can then top the cheese with a cardboard cake round, which will help distribute the weight of the tiers that will sit on top.

The base of your cheese wheel wedding cake needs to be composed of the hardest and largest cheese in the stack. As you move up the tower, the cheeses can become softer in texture, as long as they can support the weight of the cheese that rests on top. The height of each wheel isn't as important as the diameter, which should vary by 4 to 8 inches to allow for a wedding cake-like appearance and space for garnishes.

Decorating the cake

Decorating a cheese wedding cake is a fun and creative way to showcase the style and tastes of the happy couple. Here are some tips and ideas to make your cheese wedding cake look amazing:

Choose a Display Base

The base you choose for your cheese wedding cake can add to the overall aesthetic. A simple cake stand can be a great way to display the cake, especially if you want to emphasise the similarity to a traditional wedding cake. A rustic, bark-covered wood slab or a round wooden board can complement a more natural or rustic look. If you want to add height to your display, you can use a tiered cake stand.

Use Fresh Produce and Herbs

Seasonal flowers, herbs, and fruit make for an excellent natural look that accentuates the cheese wheels. You can decorate the spaces between the tiers with wreaths of rosemary or other herbs. Add different flowers and fruits like raspberries, blackberries, grapes, or apricots to give a pop of colour to your cheese tower. For a more elegant look, opt for florals and greenery.

Add Other Edible Decorations

If you want to go beyond fresh produce, you can decorate your cheese wedding cake with edible flowers, nuts, chocolate curls, shards of honeycomb, or even crackers. For a sweeter touch, cover the outside edges with chocolate quills or chopped nuts, revealing the cheesecake only when it's cut into.

Keep It Simple

While there are many decoration options, it's important to let the cheese be the star of the show. Practice restraint and avoid overdoing it with too many decorations.

Consider Colour Contrasts

When stacking your cheese wheels, think about creating contrast with different-coloured cheeses. You can also add accenting decorations like figs, grapes, and thistles.

Pair with Accompaniments

When serving your cheese wedding cake, consider pairing it with accompaniments such as crackers, fresh fruits, nuts, olives, and jams. These can be artfully arranged around the base of the cake or on a separate table or platter.

Serving the cake

The cheese wedding cake should be served at room temperature, so make sure to set it up and let it temper for several hours ahead of time. It's also a good idea to have a variety of fruits, nuts, crackers, and other accompaniments available for guests to enjoy with the cheese.

When it comes to cutting and serving the cheese cake, there are a few options. One approach is to cut a wedge from the top wheel and continue doing this on each layer, removing the cheese wedges and placing them on a separate cutting board. Then, portion each wedge into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This way, guests can enjoy the cheese along with their plated pairings as they would with any charcuterie board.

Another option is to divide the cheese cake into smaller cheese blocks or wheels and serve them at individual guest tables, paired with crackers, fresh fruits, and condiments like honey or jam. This approach ensures that each guest has access to the cheese without having to cut and serve it themselves.

If you want to keep the cheese cake intact for display purposes, you can ask the caterers to cut up the cheese and bring it out on platters or boards for guests to help themselves. This way, you get the best of both worlds—a stunning visual display and easy serving.

For soft cheeses, a standard knife should suffice, but for large tiers and hard cheeses, a double-handled knife designed for cutting wheels of cheese will make the job much easier.

Cutting the cake

Firstly, it's important to use the right tools for the job. Soft cheeses can be cut with a standard knife, but for large tiers and hard cheeses, a double-handled knife designed for cutting wheels of cheese is recommended. This will make the process much easier.

When it comes to the actual cutting, start by cutting a wedge from the top wheel. Continue doing this for each layer, removing the cheese wedges and placing them on a separate board. Then, cut these wedges into smaller, more manageable pieces. Allow guests to enjoy the cheese with any accompaniments you may be serving, such as crackers, fruits, or nuts.

If you're serving a stacked cheesecake, the process is a little different. These cakes often have internal supports, such as cake rods or wooden skewers, that need to be removed before cutting. Once the supports are removed, you can cut the cake into slices as you would a traditional cake.

It's worth noting that some people choose to have the caterers cut up the cheese wedding cake and serve it as part of a charcuterie board or on individual plates. This can be a more manageable option, especially if you're worried about mess or want to ensure an even distribution of cheese.

Frequently asked questions