Wedding Cake Baking: Timing For The Perfect Cake

Wedding cakes can be a fun and creative way to celebrate your special day. Whether you're baking it yourself or hiring a professional, there are a few things to consider when it comes to timing. If you're opting for a traditional fruit cake, it can be made months in advance as the alcohol in the cake acts as a preservative. However, if you prefer a modern sponge cake, it's best to bake it no more than three days before the wedding to ensure freshness. In both cases, you can freeze the cake layers ahead of time and defrost them a day or two before the event, giving you ample time for intricate decorations. When it comes to assembling and decorating, it's ideal to do so 1-3 days before the wedding, ensuring the cake is properly supported and stored, especially if it has perishable fillings. So, whether you're a professional baker or a DIY enthusiast, planning is key to ensuring your wedding cake is both delicious and stunning.

Sponge cakes can be baked up to three days before serving

Sponge cakes are a popular choice for modern weddings, with couples opting for classic flavours such as vanilla, lemon, and chocolate. However, sponge cakes do not have the same longevity as traditional fruit cakes, which are often soaked in alcohol as a preservative.

To freeze a sponge cake, first, allow the cake to cool completely. Then, wrap each layer in multiple layers of cling film to create a protective barrier. Transfer the wrapped layers into a durable, airtight plastic container and store in the freezer. This method will also create a slightly firmer texture, making it easier to apply fillings and icings precisely.

When you are ready to serve the cake, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge 24 hours before. This will give the cake enough time to thaw while still allowing time for icing and decoration. It is important to note that the cake should be completely thawed before decorating.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your sponge wedding cake is both delicious and stress-free!

Fruit cakes are best matured for three months before the wedding

Fruit cakes are dense cakes packed with dried fruit and nuts. They are a popular choice for weddings due to their rich flavour and traditional appeal. But when should you start baking a fruit cake for a wedding? Well, if you want to do it right, you should start at least three months ahead of the wedding. Here's why:

During the maturation process, the fruit cake should be fed alcohol about once a week to keep it moist and flavourful. This is usually done by pokeing holes in the cake and spraying or drizzling alcohol over it. It's important to use clean tools to avoid introducing germs and bacteria to the cake. After feeding, the cake is re-wrapped and stored again. This process is repeated weekly for three months until the cake is ready to be decorated and served.

If you want to add an extra layer of protection, you can wrap the cake in multiple layers, such as cling film, foil paper, and a plastic bag, before placing it in an airtight container like a cake tin. This ensures that the cake is completely sealed off from the air, which can cause spoilage.

While three months is the ideal maturation time for fruit cakes, some bakers age their cakes for even longer, up to several years! This extended ageing allows the flavours to develop even further, resulting in an incredibly moist and delicious cake. However, if you don't have three months, it is still possible to age the cake for a shorter period, with a minimum recommendation of two months for optimal results.

So, if you're planning to serve a fruit cake at a wedding, be sure to start the process early. The time and care put into maturing the cake will result in a rich, flavourful, and beautifully moist cake that will be a highlight of the wedding celebration.

Freeze the cake if you won't be serving it within three days

If you won't be serving your wedding cake within three days of baking it, it's best to freeze it. This will ensure the cake stays fresh and can be safely consumed later. Here's a step-by-step guide to freezing your wedding cake:

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake

Firstly, bake your wedding cake as per your chosen recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding to the next step. This step is crucial, as a warm cake can create excess moisture, leading to potential issues during freezing and thawing.

Step 2: Wrap the Cake

Once your cake has cooled, it's time to wrap it securely. Start by wrapping the cake in Press & Seal wrap or plastic wrap. This initial layer helps keep the cake tight and fresh. Then, wrap the cake in aluminium foil. The foil layer acts as a barrier to prevent condensation from seeping into the cake.

Step 3: Label and Date the Cake

Before sealing the cake in its container, it's a good idea to label and date it. Write the type of cake and a "use-by" date on a large piece of aluminium foil. As a general rule, it's best not to freeze cakes for longer than 3 to 5 months. The sooner you serve it after freezing, the fresher it will taste.

Step 4: Container and Freezing

Place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container. If you don't have a container large enough, you can wrap the cake in another layer of aluminium foil. Ensure that the foil with the date and cake details is on the outside for easy reference. Freeze the cake for up to 3 months.

Step 5: Thawing

When you're ready to serve the cake, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator. It's best to thaw the cake while it's still wrapped to prevent condensation from forming on the cake itself. Allow the cake to thaw slowly in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight. Then, remove the cake from the wrapping and let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.

Tips for Freezing Wedding Cakes:

• It's best to freeze unassembled/undecorated cake layers. Freeze the cake layers, then thaw and assemble them closer to the event.
• Avoid freezing delicate cakes like angel food cake, vertical cake, and pavlova. These cakes taste best when freshly made.
• If your cake has perishable fillings or frosting, store it in the refrigerator after thawing until you're ready to serve.
• If you're transporting the frozen cake, ensure it remains at a consistent frozen temperature to maintain quality and food safety.

By following these steps, you can successfully freeze your wedding cake, ensuring it stays fresh and safe to consume when you're ready to celebrate!

Practice making the cake beforehand

Practice makes perfect, so it's a good idea to make a few trial cakes before the big day. This will help you perfect the recipe, adjust it to fit the wedding cake pan size, and increase your comfort level with baking cakes through sheer repetition. You can serve these trial cakes at festive occasions like wedding showers, baby showers, and birthday parties. This way, you can get feedback from friends and family and tweak the recipe if needed.

Additionally, you can practice icing and decorating the cakes. If you plan to use fondant or intricate piping work, you may need to practice these techniques specifically. Cake supply stores and craft stores sell styrofoam cake rounds for practicing your piping skills. However, if you have already baked and frozen some cake layers, you can practice on them instead. This way, you can kill two birds with one stone by practicing both your baking and decorating skills.

If you're making a traditional white cake, you can start freezing your egg whites ahead of time. Egg whites freeze beautifully, so you can save any leftover egg whites from recipes that only call for yolks. This way, you'll have a stash of egg whites ready to go when it's time to make the cake.

Finally, don't forget to order your supplies early. The last thing you want is to be scrambling for pans, cake boxes, or piping bags the week before the wedding. Make a list of all the equipment you'll need, including baking basics like a stand mixer and large mixing bowls, as well as any specialty items. This way, you can focus on baking and decorating the perfect wedding cake without any last-minute stresses.

Plan the cake size based on the number of guests

Planning the size of your wedding cake is an important step in the cake-making process. You want to make sure you have enough cake for your guests but that there isn't a lot of waste. The number of guests at your wedding is the most important factor when determining the size of your wedding cake.

A good rule of thumb is to cater to 90% of your total guest count to ensure that the majority of people receive a slice. For example, if you have a guest list of 80, you would want a three-tiered cake to cater to around 70 guests.

• Two-tier cake: 40-60 portions
• Three-tier cake: 70-90 portions
• Four-tier cake: 100-150 portions
• Five-tier cake: 170-210 portions
• Six or seven-tier cake: 220+ portions

The shape of the cake also affects the number of portions. Round cakes are typically cut into equal, uniform slices, making it easier to ensure that each guest receives a consistent portion. As a guide, the number of portions for a round cake with a height of 4 inches is as follows:

• 6-inch round cake: About 10-12 portions
• 8-inch round cake: About 20-24 portions
• 10-inch round cake: About 30-38 portions
• 12-inch round cake: About 40-50 portions

Square cakes can be cut into various sizes, allowing you to serve larger or smaller portions as needed. Square cakes yield more portions than round cakes of the same size:

• 6-inch square cake: About 12-18 portions
• 8-inch square cake: About 32-40 portions
• 10-inch square cake: About 50-60 portions
• 12-inch square cake: About 72-96 portions

If you are having a large wedding but don't want a large cake, you can opt for a sheet cake, which is kept in the catering kitchen and sliced to serve.

It's also important to consider when you plan on serving the cake. If you are serving it as a dessert, you will want to cater to 100% of your guests, taking into account any dietary restrictions. If you are serving it in the evening, you would only need to cater to around 90% of your guests, as not everyone will get around to having a slice.

Additionally, if you are serving other desserts alongside the wedding cake, you can adjust the cake size and opt for a smaller cake.

Remember to discuss all these factors with your wedding cake designer, who is the expert and will be able to advise you on the right size cake for your special day.

Frequently asked questions