Best Cake Mixes For Wedding Cakes: Expert Tips And Tricks

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to choosing the perfect cake. While some couples opt for a bespoke creation, others may prefer the convenience and affordability of a cake mix. But which cake mix is the best for a wedding cake?

The best box mix to use for WASC (white almond sour cream) cake

Wedding cakes are often made from scratch, but boxed cake mixes can be a great alternative when you're short on time or want to simplify the process. Here's a guide to help you choose the best box mix for a WASC (White Almond Sour Cream) cake, a popular choice for wedding cakes:

The Best Box Mix for WASC Cake:

When it comes to creating a delicious WASC cake, the box mix you choose can make a big difference. Here's what to consider and some recommended options:

Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix: This mix is often praised for its flavour and performance. It provides a solid base for the additional ingredients in a WASC cake and is widely available.

Betty Crocker Super Moist White Cake Mix: This mix stands out for its moisture, flavour, and affordability. It's a popular choice among bakers and can be enhanced with additional ingredients to create a WASC cake.

Enhancing Your WASC Cake:

To elevate your WASC cake and make it truly special, consider adding the following ingredients:

• Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a tangy flavour to your cake. Opt for full-fat sour cream for the best results.
• Almond Extract: A few teaspoons of almond extract can enhance the flavour of your WASC cake, complementing the almond flour or extract already in the mix.
• Egg Whites: Using egg whites instead of whole eggs will give your WASC cake a lighter colour and a more delicate texture.
• Butter: Melted butter can be used in place of oil for a richer flavour and a firmer texture, making it easier to handle and decorate your cake.

Tips for Success:

• Follow the WASC Recipe: The WASC cake recipe calls for specific ingredients and quantities, so be sure to follow it closely. You can find the full recipe online.
• Don't Use Box Mix Ingredients: When making a WASC cake, ignore the instructions and ingredient lists on the box. Only use the ingredients specified in the WASC recipe.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, use room temperature ingredients, including milk, eggs, and sour cream.
• Baking Temperature and Time: Preheat your oven to 325-350°F (depending on the recipe) and bake your cake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Adjust the time as needed for larger pans.
• Cooling and Icing: Allow your WASC cake to cool completely before icing it with buttercream. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cake is firm enough to handle and prevents melting or mixing with the icing.

How to make box cake better

While boxed cake mixes are convenient, there are several ways to make them taste even better. Here are some tips to elevate your boxed cake mix:

Use Room Temperature Ingredients

Always use room-temperature ingredients when baking. The temperature of your ingredients affects the structure of your cake. Aim for a temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk

Adding milk or buttermilk to the mix instead of water will give your cake a denser, more moist texture, similar to a homemade cake. Buttermilk will also add a tangy flavour that balances out the sweetness.

Substitute Sour Cream

Adding sour cream is a secret ingredient that will make your boxed cake extra moist and flavourful. For best results, use full-fat sour cream.

Substitute Oil for Butter

Using softened butter instead of oil in your cake mix will give it a richer taste. You can also add two tablespoons of mayonnaise for an even more decadent flavour.

Add Extra Egg Yolks

Adding a few extra egg yolks to the mix will make your cake lighter and richer.

Add Vanilla Extract

Adding a small amount of vanilla extract (about 1/4 teaspoon) will make your cake taste more homemade, with a subtle vanilla essence.

Amp up the Chocolate

If you're making a chocolate cake, you can add more chocolate! Try adding up to 6 ounces of melted bittersweet chocolate or Nutella to the batter. You can also add a spoonful of Kahlua, dark rum, or espresso to enhance the richness.

Switch up the Liquid

Instead of using water, try a different liquid like apple cider, coffee, buttermilk, or pink champagne. You can also use soft fruit like ripe bananas, applesauce, mashed roasted butternut squash, or pureed berries to add moisture and personality to your cake.

Change the Shape

You don't have to stick to the standard cake shape. Use a springform pan for a taller cake, a Bundt pan for instant decoration, or a muffin tin for cupcakes. Just remember that deeper pans may require a longer baking time.

Make it a Looker

Use the time saved by using a boxed mix to create a gorgeous presentation. Hide whipped cream, chocolate ganache, or cream cheese frosting between the layers, then lightly frost the top and sides with a thin coating of your favourite homemade frosting.

Other Tips:

• Use full-fat sour cream or yogurt for best results.
• Don't use the ingredients listed on the back of the box mix; only use the components in your chosen recipe.
• For a pure white cake, use a white cake mix and 5 egg whites instead of 3 whole eggs.
• For chocolate cake mixes, you can add 3/4 cup flour and 1/4 cup cocoa powder instead of 1 cup flour.
• Adding extra flour or instant pudding mix will make the texture denser and tighter, ideal for a pound cake-like consistency.

How to assemble and decorate a homemade wedding cake

Ingredients and Tools

Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. For the cake, you will need a recipe specifically designed for wedding cakes to ensure it is sturdy enough and that it makes the right amount of batter and icing. You will also need tools like cake pans, parchment paper, a large serrated knife, cake boards, cake dowels or non-flexible straws, and a platter to serve the cake on.

Baking the Cake

Start by preheating your oven and preparing your cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper and grease them with butter or a non-stick spray. The number and size of pans will depend on the recipe and the desired size of your cake. For a three-tier cake, you will typically need three cakes of 12", 9", and 6".

Prepare the batter according to your chosen recipe and pour it into the prepared pans. The batter amount will differ based on the brand and recipe, so adjust accordingly. Bake the cakes according to the recipe instructions, allowing for any necessary adjustments in baking time.

Once the cakes are done, allow them to cool completely before attempting to decorate or assemble them. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cakes are stable and easy to work with.

Assembling the Cake

To assemble the cake, you will need to create a crumb coat, which is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake to catch any crumbs and create a smooth surface for the final layer of frosting. Prepare your frosting according to your chosen recipe, and spread a thin layer of it on the cake boards and the sides and top of each cake layer. Refrigerate the cakes for about 10-15 minutes to allow the crumb coat to set.

After the crumb coat has set, it's time to stack the layers. Place the largest layer on a serving platter or cake stand, and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Carefully place the next layer on top, and repeat the process until all the layers are stacked.

Decorating the Cake

Now it's time to decorate the cake! You can use a variety of techniques, such as piping, ruffles, or fresh flowers, to create your desired look. If you plan to use fresh flowers, be sure to order them in advance from a florist. Practice your chosen decoration technique beforehand to ensure you are comfortable with it.

Once you have finished decorating, it's important to clear a large space in the refrigerator to store the cake until it's time to transport it to the wedding venue. Speak to the caterer or venue manager about any specific details regarding cake transport and refrigeration.

Other flavour options for a homemade wedding cake

There are several flavour options for a homemade wedding cake. Here are some ideas for different flavours:

• Carrot Cake: Use a carrot cake recipe for the bottom tier and make a half batch of the batter for the top tier.
• Red Velvet Cake: Use a red velvet cake recipe for the bottom tier and red velvet cupcakes batter for the top tier.
• Lemon Cake: Use a lemon cake recipe for the bottom tier and lemon cupcakes batter for the top tier.
• Marble Cake: Use a zebra cake recipe for the bottom tier and a smaller zebra cake recipe for the top tier.
• Chocolate Chip: Fold mini chocolate chips into the vanilla cake batter for both tiers.

You can also experiment with different frostings, fillings, and flavourings to create your own unique wedding cake flavour. For example, you can add extracts to the frosting such as almond, lemon, orange, or coconut. Or, you can mix a few tablespoons of raspberry jam into the vanilla buttercream for the filling.

Recommended special tools for a homemade wedding cake

While making a wedding cake at home can be intimidating, it is not impossible. Here are some tools that will help you make a beautiful and delicious wedding cake.

A stand mixer or hand mixer is essential for mixing cake batter. A rubber or silicone spatula is perfect for scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding ingredients together. You will also need round cake pans, preferably in 6", 8", and 10" sizes, with a depth of at least 2" for layering cakes. If you plan to bake a multi-tiered cake, it is recommended to have two of each size to save time. Additionally, a cake turntable can make decorating much easier.

For assembling and transporting a multi-tiered cake, you will need cake boards and cake dowels for support. The sizes of the cake boards should correspond to the sizes of your cake pans, and you will need a larger cake drum for the base. The number of dowels will depend on the number of tiers, and you may also need a longer wooden dowel for added stability during transportation.

Other useful tools include a bench scraper, cake/fondant smoothers, a small brush for dusting, an icing bottle or piping bag, and a pencil sharpener (for shaping gumpaste or fondant).

Don't forget to do a trial run to familiarize yourself with the recipe and identify any potential challenges. This will help ensure that your wedding cake turns out perfectly on the big day!

Frequently asked questions