Texturing A Wedding Cake: Techniques For Beginners

Textured wedding cakes are a unique and creative way to make a statement on your big day. From rustic buttercream finishes to intricate floral designs, textured cakes add interest and flair to an otherwise ordinary cake. This trend, popularised on TikTok, incorporates fun icing patterns, florals, and unique shapes to create one-of-a-kind desserts that stand out as true centrepieces. In this guide, we will explore different techniques and tools to create textured wedding cakes, ensuring your cake is both a delicious and stunning work of art.

Using a spoon to create ridges

Firstly, frost the cake completely with a crumb layer, and then add another layer of frosting about 3/4-inch thick on all sides and the top of the cake. It is important to note that you do not need to get your frosting perfectly smooth, as you will be creating patterns and decorations that will cover any imperfections.

Next, you will need to work quickly if using American-style buttercream, as it will dry and crust over. However, this type of buttercream will allow for more intricate details. Ensure you have a relatively even layer of frosting to work with.

Now, take a spoon and rest it on its side on the cake board, pressing it lightly against the frosting. Spin the cake on a turntable as you pull the spoon up the side of the cake to create ridges. Using a hot spoon will help to smooth the frosting and prevent air bubbles, so dip the spoon into a glass of hot water every minute or so and dry it with a towel before using it again.

Different-sized metal spoons will create different shapes, with larger spoons making larger ridges and smaller spoons creating more intricate patterns. You can experiment with the spoons you have to find the one that works best for you.

Additionally, you can create a variety of textures by changing the angle and direction of the spoon as you move it up the cake. For example, you can make zigzags and stripes by pushing the back of the spoon across the cake and then pulling it back towards you, overlapping the previous line slightly.

Remember, if you don't like a section, simply smooth out the frosting with an offset spatula or butter knife and start over!

Using a cake comb

To use a cake comb effectively, start by applying a crumb coat to your cake and chilling it in the fridge until firm. The key to success is to ensure that your buttercream is quite soft and smooths easily. You can use any good consistency buttercream, such as American buttercream or chocolate buttercream.

Next, use a piping tip to add a generous layer of soft buttercream frosting to the top and side of the cake. Use the smooth side of the comb to scrape down the buttercream and make it even. Before the frosting sets, use a stainless steel cake comb to add horizontal lines, creating the desired texture.

For especially clean and smooth lines, try this trick: boil some water in a large shallow pan and dip the comb in it to warm it up. Quickly wipe off the excess water, then make a second pass around the cake.

Once you have achieved the desired texture, chill the cake layers in the fridge for about an hour before stacking them. This will make it easier to move the tiers without damaging the design. After stacking and doweling the cake, you can add fresh flowers or other decorations to enhance the look.

Creating a rustic finish

To create a rustic finish, you will need a semi-smooth base. Apply your buttercream or frosting evenly across the cake, aiming for a rustic, "home-made" look, but not messy. You can use a crumb coat and chill the cake in the fridge first, but avoid the freezer as this can make the cake too cold. Use a soft, smooth buttercream, and a small offset spatula or angled icing spatula to create swirls and strokes. You can also use a rounded butter knife or the end of a teaspoon.

Try drawing "S" and "C" shapes, varying the direction as you go around the cake. You can also use a combination of quick swipes and shapes to create rustic swirls. The key is to not overthink it—imperfections give it that rustic look.

You can also use a texture comb to create a rustic finish. Apply buttercream roughly over your crumb coat and scrape it around with the comb, keeping the bottom of the comb against the cake board to ensure the pattern stays in the same place.

If you want to add some colour, you can use a stencil and add patches of buttercream in a different colour. Stencils offer a wide range of designs to choose from.

Adding stencils

Choosing the Right Stencil

First, you'll need to select a suitable stencil for your cake. Craft stores often have interesting patterns in their wood or ceramic paint sections, which can also be used for cakes. You can also find a variety of cake stencils online, with different designs and themes, such as floral, geometric, or monogram patterns. Choose a stencil that complements the overall theme and style of your wedding.

Preparing the Stencil

Before using the stencil on your cake, make sure it is clean and dry. If needed, you can gently wash it with warm water and soap, and ensure it is completely dry before applying it to the cake.

Chilling the Cake

It is important to ensure that your cake is well-chilled before applying the stencil. A chilled cake will help the icing set more quickly and prevent the stencil from sticking to the frosting.

Applying the Stencil

Once your cake is chilled, carefully place the stencil on the desired area of the cake. If you are using a multi-tiered cake, you may want to apply the stencil to each tier separately before assembling the cake.

Spreading the Icing

Use a thin layer of icing over the stencil. You can use a spatula or a piping bag to spread the icing evenly and smoothly over the stencil. Make sure the icing is not too thick, as it may overflow the stencil and ruin the design.

Removing the Stencil

After applying the icing, carefully remove the stencil by lifting it straight up from the cake. Do this slowly and gently to avoid smudging the design. If needed, you can use a small offset spatula to help lift the stencil without disturbing the icing.

Re-chilling the Cake

Between each stencil application, it is important to re-chill the cake. This will help set the icing and prevent the stencil from sticking to the previous design.

Adding Final Touches

Once you have finished stencilling your cake, you can add some final touches, such as fresh flowers, gold leaf, or other decorations that complement the design.

By following these steps, you can create a beautifully textured wedding cake with stencils. This technique is a simple and effective way to add a unique and elegant touch to your wedding dessert.

Using a spatula to create swirls and strokes

Creating swirls and strokes with a spatula is a great way to add texture to your wedding cake. This technique, also known as spatula painting, involves applying buttercream to a chilled, smooth buttercream-frosted cake with dabs and strokes of a spatula or palette knife, resulting in a textured oil painting effect.

Step 1: Start with a Chilled Buttercream Cake

Begin with a cake that has been frosted with smooth buttercream and chilled for at least 30 minutes. The cake should be firm to the touch, ensuring that the swipes of buttercream adhere perfectly without affecting the base layer.

Step 2: Prepare Your Buttercream and Colours

Have a few cups of tintable buttercream, such as vanilla or another light-coloured flavour, ready to use. Divide the buttercream into separate bowls and mix in food colour gels until you achieve your desired colours. Feel free to be creative with your colour palette! You can use a monochromatic scheme or a variety of shades for a vibrant effect.

Step 3: Apply Your Paint Strokes

Using your icing spatula, apply the buttercream in upward swiping motions, overlapping the strokes for a random pattern. On the top of the cake, swipe from the outer edge towards the centre, keeping the strokes in the same direction. You can cover the entire cake with these buttercream strokes or just go partway down, leaving the rest of the cake smooth.

Step 4: Add Final Touches

Once you're happy with your buttercream design, you can add metallic accents, sugar flowers, or other decorations to enhance the look. This technique creates a stunning, artistic effect that is sure to impress your wedding guests.

With these simple steps, you can transform a plain wedding cake into a true work of art. So, grab your spatula and some buttercream, and let your creativity flow to add unique swirls and strokes to your wedding cake!

Frequently asked questions