Wedding Cake Recipes: The Perfect Confectionery Combination

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and stressful endeavour, so it's no surprise that many couples are now opting for smaller, more intimate celebrations. One way to cut costs is to make your own wedding cake. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is certainly achievable, even for amateur bakers. The key to success is to choose a recipe specifically designed for a wedding cake, as this will ensure that it is sturdy enough and that it makes the right amount of batter and icing. It is also important to allow yourself extra time and manage your expectations – your homemade cake might not look like it belongs in a magazine, but it will be made with love!

Choosing a cake recipe

Flavour

The flavour of the cake is one of the most important considerations. While traditional options like vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet are always popular, you can also think about more unique flavours that reflect your personal taste. Some less conventional options include hazelnut, banana, apple, and even boozy bourbon pecan! You can also mix and match flavours for each tier of your cake.

Dietary Restrictions

It is essential to consider any dietary restrictions your guests may have. For example, if you have guests who are gluten intolerant, you might want to opt for a gluten-free cake. There are delicious gluten-free options available, such as a gluten-free chocolate or coconut cake.

Complexity

Assess your baking skills and the time you have available to execute the recipe. If you are a novice baker or have a busy schedule, opt for a simpler recipe. Additionally, consider doing a trial run of the recipe before the big day to ensure it turns out as expected and to give you a sense of the time and effort involved.

Size

The size of your cake will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. A standard two-tier cake typically serves around 30-35 people. If you have a larger guest list, you may need to add an extra tier or opt for a sheet cake to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Decorations

Finally, consider the decorations you want on your cake. Fresh flowers, cake toppers, and piped frosting are all popular options. If you want to keep things simple, a "naked cake" style with minimal frosting and some fresh flowers or berries can be a beautiful and elegant choice.

Remember, it's your special day, so choose a recipe that speaks to you and that you think your guests will enjoy. Happy baking!

Cake decorating supplies

Essential Supplies:

• Pans: You'll need sturdy, good-quality baking pans in the appropriate sizes for your cake layers. Consider pans with non-stick coatings or special coatings that promote even baking.
• Mixing Bowls: You'll need bowls of various sizes for mixing your cake batter and frosting.
• Spatulas: Offset spatulas are ideal for frosting cakes as they provide better control and help create a smooth finish.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measuring tools are essential for consistent results when baking.
• Oven Thermometer: This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature, which is crucial for even baking.
• Kitchen Thermometer: Useful for certain types of buttercreams and ganaches.
• Mixer: A stand mixer or hand mixer is essential for creaming butter and sugar, whipping cream, and other mixing tasks.
• Cake Boards and Dowels: For a tiered cake, you'll need sturdy cake boards and dowels for support.
• Turntable: A cake turntable makes it easier to frost and decorate your cake evenly.
• Piping Bags and Tips: If you plan to pipe frosting or decorate with intricate details, you'll need a set of piping bags and various piping tips.
• Scrapers: A bench scraper helps create smooth edges, while a cake scraper is useful for creating textured effects.

Optional Supplies:

• Edible Flowers or Fresh Fruit: These can be used as decorations and add a chic, natural touch to your cake.
• Cake Topper: A custom cake topper can be a lovely way to personalize your wedding cake.
• Sprinkles, Pearls, and Glitters: Edible sprinkles, sugar pearls, or glitters can add a festive touch to your cake.
• Stencils: Stencils can be used to create intricate designs or patterns on your cake.
• Airbrush Kit: An airbrush kit allows you to create detailed designs and add color to your cake.
• Moulds: Various moulds, such as silicone moulds for baby shower-themed cakes or high heel shoe kits, can be used to create shaped decorations.
• Food Colours: Gel, powdered, or glaze food colours can be mixed into frosting or used for painting details onto your cake.
• Impression Mats: These are used to create textured patterns or designs on fondant or gum paste.

Flavour options

There are many flavour options to consider when making a wedding cake. The flavour you choose will depend on your personal preference, dietary requirements, and the number of guests you need to serve. Here are some flavour options to consider:

Vanilla

Vanilla is a classic choice for a wedding cake and is sure to please a variety of guests. You can have fun with different frostings, fillings, and flavourings to make your cake unique. For example, you can add extracts like almond, lemon, orange, or coconut to your frosting, or mix in some raspberry jam.

Chocolate

Chocolate is another popular choice for wedding cakes and can be paired with a variety of flavours. You could try a chocolate buttermilk cake, a chocolate orange cake, or a chocolate stout cake. If you're accommodating dietary restrictions, you could opt for a gluten-free chocolate cake.

Fruit Cake

Fruit cakes are a traditional choice for weddings and can be made with a variety of dried fruits and nuts. You can also soak the fruit in rum, brandy, or orange juice for added flavour.

Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a delicious and healthy option for a wedding cake. It can be paired with a cream cheese frosting for a classic combination.

Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake is a unique and eye-catching option for a wedding cake. It can be paired with a cream cheese frosting for a tasty combination.

Lemon Cake

Lemon cake is a refreshing and tangy option, especially for a summer wedding. It can be paired with a lemon curd filling and a tangy lemon buttercream frosting.

Other Flavours

Other flavour options include hazelnut cake, banana cake, apple cake, cheesecake, pecan cake, spice cake, and coconut cake. You could even get creative and combine flavours to create a unique cake that reflects your personality and taste preferences.

Filling ideas

• Fruit and Curd Fillings: Lemon curd, raspberry cream, and olive oil cake are excellent choices for a bright and fruity filling. You can also incorporate macerated fruit or jam for a simple yet delicious touch.
• Buttercream Varieties: Vanilla buttercream is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with different flavours. You can add extracts like almond, lemon, orange, or coconut to your buttercream. For a tangy twist, consider a cream cheese frosting.
• Chocolate Delights: For chocolate lovers, a chocolate ganache or chocolate buttercream filling is a decadent option. You can even pair a chocolate cake with a tangy cream cheese frosting for a unique combination.
• Creamy Fillings: If you're looking for a light and airy option, consider a whipped cream filling. It pairs well with fruity cakes and can be used to create a vibrant and striking pink cake.
• Traditional Choices: For a traditional wedding cake, a simple white cake with vanilla buttercream or a rich fruit cake brimming with nuts and soaked in rum, brandy, or orange juice are elegant options.
• Cheese Cake: For something different, consider a cheesecake as your wedding cake. It's a great choice for extra dessert options or for a bridal party.

Cake assembly

Now that you've baked your cakes, it's time to assemble them into a beautiful wedding cake! Here are the steps you need to follow:

Prepare the Cakes

Before you start stacking your cakes, there are a few things you need to do to prepare them. First, make sure they are completely cooled. Then, using a large serrated knife, slice a thin layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. This step is called "levelling" the cakes. You can discard the trimmed pieces or crumble them over ice cream!

Create a Crumb Coat

A crumb coat is a thin layer of frosting applied to the cake to protect the outer layer of frosting from catching any crumbs. To crumb coat your cake, place one of the cake layers on a cake board or cake stand. Using an icing spatula, spread a scant amount of frosting evenly over the top of the cake. Top with the second cake layer and repeat the process. Finally, spread a thin layer of frosting over the entire top and sides of the cake. Place the cake in the refrigerator to help set the crumb coat. Repeat this process with the remaining cake layers.

Stack the Tiers

Once your crumb coats are set, you can start stacking your tiers. Place the smaller tier on top of the larger one. To ensure stability, insert four cake dowels into the bottom tier. Measure the height of the bottom cake and cut the dowels to match. Insert the dowels into the cake, spacing them about 2 inches apart to form the corners of a square. Gently place the small tier on top, centring it over the dowels.

Decorate the Cake

Now it's time to decorate your cake! Using a piping bag and a round piping tip, pipe frosting around the bottom of the top tier to cover any spaces or smears. You can also pipe dots of frosting between the tiers and around the bottom of the whole cake to resemble pretty pearls. If you want to smooth down any pointy peaks, simply moisten your fingertip with water and gently press down. You can also add decorative pieces, such as artificial flowers, cake toppers, or fresh flowers.

Transport and Store the Cake

After assembly, you'll need to transport your cake to the wedding venue. Speak to the caterer or venue manager about cake transport and refrigeration details. The cake is best enjoyed within three days and should be refrigerated until ready to serve. After a few hours, the frosting will "set", and you can lightly cover the cake with plastic wrap.

Frequently asked questions