Transforming Store-Bought Cakes For A Wedding

There are many reasons to turn a store-bought cake into a wedding cake. It can save you time, money, and stress, and with the right decorations, it can be a stunning, unique, and glamorous centrepiece. Whether you're a perfectionist or a free spirit, there are endless ways to decorate a store-bought cake. You can cover it in candy, sprinkles, fresh flowers, or fruit, or coat it in ganache or buttercream. You can even stack cakes to make a tall, elegant cake. With a little creativity, you can have a beautiful wedding cake that no one will guess started its life in a grocery store!

Remove tacky decorations

To turn a store-bought cake into a wedding cake, you'll need to start by removing any tacky decorations. This includes things like weird icing balloons, hard-as-rock candy flowers, and boring candles. Get rid of any sprinkles or other toppings that are already on the cake, and scrape off any icing that you don't want. You can use a flat angled spatula to help you scrape off the icing and decorations.

If you plan ahead, you can ask the grocery store to make you a plain cake with just white icing (or another single colour of your choice). This will save you some time and effort in removing decorations. If you want a multi-tiered cake, consider buying multiple small cakes of the same size and stacking them on top of each other.

Once you've removed the unwanted toppings, you'll have a blank canvas to work with. You can add your own icing, fresh flowers, interesting ribbon, or other unique decorations to transform your store-bought cake into a beautiful wedding cake.

Remember that you don't have to worry about making it perfect, especially if you plan to add a lot of candy and sprinkles. The edible decorations will hide any imperfections!

Add your own unique decorations

Adding your own unique decorations is a great way to make a store-bought cake your own. This is especially helpful if you want to create a wedding cake on a budget, or you don't have the time or skills to bake one from scratch.

The first step is to remove any existing decorations from the cake. This will give you a blank canvas to work with. You can keep the existing frosting, or scrape it off and add a new layer of frosting, such as buttercream or whipped cream. You could even coat the cake in ganache for a fancier look.

Now, it's time to add your own personal touches. Fresh flowers are a popular choice for wedding cakes. Soft blooms like peonies or ranunculus can be gently placed on the cake, or you can use rock candy to create faux crystals for a romantic, fairytale-like effect. For a modern minimalist wedding, you can use fondant and a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create simple, elegant decorations. If you're feeling rustic and romantic, fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lavender, along with fresh stone fruit, can be used to adorn your cake.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your decorations. You can use candy, sprinkles, lollipops, or gumballs to add colour and fun to your cake. If you want to add height and drama, stack multiple cakes on top of each other, securing them with a layer of frosting or a straw.

Remember, the key is to make the cake your own and have fun with it!

Coat the cake in ganache

Coating a store-bought cake in ganache is a great way to make it look like it came from a fancy bakery. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Prepare the Cake and Ganache:

Before you start, make sure you have prepared your ganache and that it is the right consistency. It should be similar to whipped cream. If it is too runny, let it sit for a while to thicken. If it is too hard, microwave it in short bursts until it reaches the desired consistency.

Using a serrated knife, carefully trim all sides of the cake by about a quarter of an inch. This step will ensure that the final coat of ganache is smooth and even.

Apply a Crumb Coat:

Clean up any crumbs around the base of the cake, then apply a thin layer of ganache to the sides and top. This crumb coat will trap any loose crumbs and create a smooth base for the final layer of ganache. Place the cake in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.

Create a Guide:

While the cake is chilling, prepare a guide for the final layer of ganache. Take a piece of parchment paper and trace around a cake board that is the same size and shape as your cake. Cut out the circle, making it about a quarter of an inch smaller than the traced line.

Apply a small amount of ganache to a second cake board (or "ganache board") and center the parchment circle on it. This will be used to guide your final layer of ganache and help create straight sides and a sharp top edge.

Apply the Final Ganache Layer:

Remove the cake from the refrigerator and apply a thin layer of ganache to the top. Place the cake board with the parchment side down on top of the cake, centering it as best you can.

Now for the fun part! Generously coat the sides and top of the cake with ganache. It will look lumpy and uneven at this point, but don't worry!

Hold a bench scraper or angled spatula flat against the top and bottom cake boards and gently scrape away the excess ganache, turning the cake as you work. Repeat this process until you have a smooth, even layer of ganache.

Smooth and Level the Top:

Once the sides are firm and set, carefully remove the cake board and parchment paper from the top of the cake. Use an offset spatula to spread ganache on the top, filling in any holes and creating a smooth, level surface.

If desired, you can use the bench scraper or angled spatula to create a sharp edge along the top of the cake. Gently drag the spatula from the edge of the ganache to the center of the cake, repeating this process all around the cake.

And there you have it! Your store-bought cake is now coated in a luxurious layer of ganache and ready for further decoration.

Create a chocolate collar

A chocolate collar can add a decorative and elegant touch to a store-bought cake. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create one:

Ingredients and Equipment:

• 200g of plain chocolate
• Acetate sheet or parchment paper
• Disposable piping bag or plastic bag
• Small bowl
• Pan
• Kitchen string or measuring tape

Instructions:

• Melting the Chocolate: Place a small bowl with 200g of plain chocolate over a pan of simmering water. Melt the chocolate and then let it cool.
• Measuring the Cake: Measure the circumference of the cake and mark this length on a folded strip of baking parchment. Also, measure the height of the cake and mark 2cm higher on the parchment.
• Creating the Chocolate Band: Paint a thick band of chocolate up to the marked line on the parchment. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is no longer runny but hasn't fully set.
• Preparing the Cake: Remove the cake from its tin and place it on a serving dish.
• Applying the Chocolate Collar: Wrap the parchment around the cake, with the chocolate side facing in, matching the ends together. Place the cake in the fridge to let the chocolate set completely.
• Final Touches: Carefully unwrap the parchment paper, leaving the chocolate collar intact. Use a sharp knife to cut and serve.

Additional Tips:

• You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of plain chocolate.
• When measuring the cake, ensure you add a few extra centimetres to the height to ensure the collar covers the cake fully.
• It is important to let the chocolate cool slightly after melting to ensure it is not too runny when you apply it to the parchment.
• If you want to add further decorations, consider adding fresh flowers, interesting ribbon, or even some sprinkles to your cake.

Stack cakes to make a tall cake

Stacking cakes is a great way to make a tall, elegant, and stately cake. Here are some detailed instructions to help you create a stunning stacked cake using store-bought cakes:

Supplies:

First, gather the necessary supplies for stacking cakes. You will need:

• Baked and prepared cake layers: Consider using three layers of cake for each tier to add stability. For a taller cake, you can use four to six layers in total.
• Cake boards: Use a sturdy cake base that is at least two inches larger than the largest cake tier. Foam core boards are a good option for added sturdiness.
• Dowels: Plastic dowels, wooden dowels, or bubble tea straws can be used for support. Avoid regular straws as they are not sturdy enough.
• Cake leveler or a large knife: To ensure your cake layers are level before stacking.
• Icing spatulas and smoothers: For a smooth finish when adding filling and icing.
• Candy melts or hot glue: To attach the cake boards to the cake base and prevent sliding.
• Edible marker: To mark the dowels for cutting.
• Scissors or wire cutters: For cutting the straws or dowels.

Stacking the Cakes:

• Level your cake layers: Use a cake leveler or a large knife to ensure that each cake layer is flat and level.
• Prepare the cake base: Cover the cake base with foil or your desired covering. Attach the first cake board to the centre of the cake base using candy melts or hot glue.
• Stack the first tier: Place the first cake layer on the cake board, adding buttercream or filling between each layer. Repeat until you have reached the desired height for the first tier (up to three layers).
• Add a cake board on top of the first tier and use a level to ensure it is mostly level. Remove the cake board and add buttercream.
• Mark and cut the dowels: Insert a plastic dowel into the first tier, marking the top with an edible marker. Remove the dowel, twist it while pulling, and cut it straight across the mark. Cut the remaining dowels to the same height.
• Insert the dowels: Insert the cut dowels into the first tier, leaving the centre space empty for the centre dowel.
• Trim the second cake board: Trim the next cake board to be slightly smaller than the cake layers, so it doesn't stick out when you ice the cake.
• Attach the second cake board: Place the trimmed cake board on top of the first tier, using candy melts or hot glue to attach it.
• Add the second tier: Place the cake layers for the second tier on top of the second cake board, using buttercream or filling between each layer. Ensure the cake remains level.
• Measure and insert the centre dowel: Measure the height of the cake, including the cake base, and cut the centre dowel accordingly. Sharpen one end of the dowel and push or hammer it through the entire cake and into the cake base.
• Chill the cake: Place the cake in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to firm it up before final decorations.
• Final decorations: Remove the cake board from the top tier and smooth the buttercream or add additional decorations as desired.

By following these steps and adjusting as needed for your specific cake design, you can create a beautiful and impressive tall cake using store-bought cakes.

Frequently asked questions