What To Use For Wedding Cakes

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Thinking about making a wedding cake, but non sure yous can do it? Well, rest easy! I'm going to give you step-by-pace instructions so that you can create this easy DIY wedding block on your own, without involving a bakery! Best of all, you tin can bake it at home, in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Information technology Starts With a Box

This wedding ceremony cake recipe starts with a boxed mix. (That's what this site is all nigh, after all.) But I absolutely promise y'all it'south going to taste yummy and your guests will be mesmerized when you tell them y'all did information technology yourself!

Wedding Cakes Used to exist Complicated

Weddings cakes used to be elaborate and over-the-top. Back in the 80s, many of them were built using plastic bridges and fountains. And many were piped with traditional scrolling.

Occasionally y'all'll withal see a piped hymeneals block. I've been asked to brand a couple of black on white piped cakes in contempo years. And I've done some anniversary cakes that involved piping, as well.

The biggest trends in recent years, though, are much, much simpler. And that's why I'k convinced you lot can make your own easy nuptials cake. For the sake of this tutorial I'k going to talk about a simple method that I call a textured cake. And hopefully you'll get some simple, inexpensive wedding cake ideas past looking at the photos I've posted below.

DIY wedding cake — Three-tiered textured cake

The block above came together very quickly but fabricated a great impression at the nuptials. It's a three-tiered textured (9-layered) cake with silk flowers. The pans I used (from top to bottom) were six″, ix″, and 12″. Because each tier is triple layered, this block volition feed 75 – 100 people.

Let me show you another instance of this aforementioned design in a four-tiered look. This is the style and size that I do most oft.

The four pans I used (from the top downward) were 6″, eight″, x″, 12″. These four triple-layered cakes volition feed upward of 150 people. It has a total of 12 layers of cake.

Look at the versatility of this method.

Believe it or not, these are all the same simple cake mode, only busy to suit the needs of the diverse brides and grooms. And here'due south the best part. . .this is an easy method. You tin can do it. No, really!

Determining the Number of Tiers

Possibly you're expecting a bigger crowd and you're non certain those iv tiers will be plenty. No worries. You would simply utilise bigger baking pans or add a 5th tier (a 14″ round on lesser).

Beneath you'll find an example of a textured four-tiered cake I made using larger pans. This cake fed shut to 200 people. The pans I chose (top to bottom) were 8″, 10″, 12″ and 14″. (You'll notice I did a slightly different texture on this one, using a cake rummage.)

It's important to call up that not anybody at the wedding actually eats the wedding cake. And here in the s folks normally offer a groom'due south cake, as well, and so there's a second pick. Brides these days are besides presenting smaller cakes (on display) but actually serving up sheet cakes, which are sliced in the kitchen and brought out on plates. The options are truly endless.

Questions People Are Asking About DIY Hymeneals Cakes:

How much will it cost me to brand this cake?

If you're making a 3-tiered cake for your wedding twenty-four hour period, you lot'll probably spend $75-$100 on ingredients. (Note: With inflation being what information technology is, you'll probably spend more as time goes on!) This isn't taking into account the baking pans, spatulas, decor, etc. Simply that guess does include boxed mixes, oil, eggs, extracts, boards, cake drum, and bubble tea straws, likewise every bit frosting supplies.

Should I bake my own wedding cake?

Near bakers would respond with a resounding "No," considering y'all'll be and so busy doing other things, but I think it'due south achievable, especially if you prep everything in accelerate. You lot can always bake/freeze your cakes a couple of weeks before the big day, and then decorate a couple of days before.

Remember, blistering is meant to be therapeutic. You might but notice yourself pouring out your eye to a bridesmaid about your incoming in-laws equally y'all whip up that cake! Or mayhap you'll finally accept a hazard to share your decompress equally you lot slap on that frosting.

Maybe yous're not the helpmate-to-be. Perhaps you're a friend or loved one. If you've landed here on this site because you're going to bake a cake for a friend or family member, go for information technology! Just give yourself plenty of fourth dimension to set problems that arise. If you find yourself in trouble you won't be so stressed if you've given yourself an extra day or so.

What special skills will I need to make this Like shooting fish in a barrel DIY Wedding Cake?

BAKING: You should practice in advance using a white cake mix and bootleg frosting. I recommend my Dreamy Buttercream but I volition too share a unproblematic traditional buttercream recipe below. Nosotros'll talk about how to doctor a block mix beneath, as well.

TIERING: I would start by reading my How to Tier a Cake mail service. It covers all aspects of cake tiering and structuring, which will be fundamental.

DECORATING: Because the application of this frosting is a simple technique, most anyone can practice it. You can practice in advance only these days messy is in, so don't spend too much time fretting over making it perfect.

How far in advance should I bake the cake?

Cakes tin can be broiled, wrapped/sealed, and frozen weeks in advance, and then you might consider that option if yous don't want to be stressed out at the last minute.

If you're making the cake fresh, then shoot for a couple of days earlier the wedding, then keep everything refrigerated once information technology comes together to preserve freshness for several days. Fun trick: if you put the cakes in the refrigerator while they're still slightly warm it will lock in the moisture.

What will I need to buy in accelerate?

I recently wrote a post titled twenty Must Have Tools for Cake Bakers. Check it out in accelerate and make sure you have enough of the items to pull off this block. Past far the most important thing volition be the pans. I would suggest starting with this set from Wilton, which you tin can buy online from Amazon. You can probably get purchase with simply one set, though I take multiples of each size and will show that in my photos below.   You lot will also need a cake leveler, cake drum (larger than your lesser tier of block), cake boards (with holes in center), and chimera tea straws, as well as a center dowel.

Is it Okay to Use a Boxed Mix for a Hymeneals Cake?

I've used a boxed mix for every single wedding cake I've ever made and have never once had a complaint about taste. I dr. the cake mix (equally you'll see in the recipe below) but even if I didn't, the icing is so yummy that it truly dresses up the mix.

TEN TIPS FOR USING A BOXED Block MIX:

These are my top tips for making your own hymeneals block. Enjoy the process. . .and accept fun!

TIP ONE: Determine how many boxes of cake mix you lot will need and buy plenty in advance. Always accept extra, just in case something goes wrong (or in case you change your mind on pan size). If I'm doing a 3-tiered (6-9-12) cake I'll buy 10 – 12 boxes of cake mix: 1 for the summit tier, two-three for the middle tier, half dozen for the lesser tier.

TIP TWO: Each boxed mix calls for three whole eggs. Instead, use 4 egg whites. This will continue the color bright white. (Funny side note: almost "how to doctor a cake mix" posts will tell you lot to add extra eggs. This is a great idea IF you're doing any cake other than a pristine white ane! For this recipe, stick to egg whites and make sure they're room temperature.)

TIP THREE: Utilize oil instead of butter if you're making a white cake. Again, nigh "how to doctor a boxed block mix" posts volition tell you to use butter. That's great. . .unless you're going for a super-white block. And most wedding cakes are lily-white within.

TIP FOUR: As far as cake brands become, I utilise Pillsbury because it's a denser cake. If yous use Duncan Hines y'all might demand to slightly adapt the h2o. I also observe Duncan Hines block mixes sometimes take lumps, and they prove up in the finished production. I often sift them in advance, which is a pain.

TIP Five: Use a articulate vanilla extract instead of traditional/brown extract to keep the block white, as well. I add a teaspoon of vanilla for each boxed mix.

TIP Half dozen: Speaking of extracts, I always add almond excerpt to my hymeneals cakes (and the frostings). I add a one-half teaspoon of almond excerpt to each boxed mix.

TIP Vii: Another tip for tiered cakes is to cut back on the water (or milk, if you apply that option) a niggling bit. Don't overfill your measuring cups. You lot might even opt for a "scant" cup of water in your mix. Too much water and your cake will be light and fluffy, (which is perfect for a layered cake, but not and so swell for a tiered block, which needs to be dense enough to conduct the weight of the layers and tiers in a higher place).

TIP EIGHT: Use a flavorless oil. I never use olive oil or any of the other flavored oils in hymeneals cakes considering they will modify the flavor/taste of the cake. I stick with vegetable oil.

TIP NINE: Don't overfill your pans. I fill mine most halfway upwards. Any college and iii things will happen: Outset, they will accept longer to bake, so they might house up too much and sense of taste over-baked. 2d, you lot could accept inconsistency in the bake, pregnant the center doesn't fully melt but the edges are over-washed. Third, every bit the cakes smashing during the broil they might spill over and create a mess (and a terrible smell).

TIP 10: Y'all tin always lower the temperature of your oven a petty flake for the larger cakes/pans. If I'one thousand baking 12″ or 14″ cakes I'll often drib the heat to 325° and bake them longer.

ARE You READY TO MAKE MY EASY DIY Hymeneals CAKE?

Are you gear up to give this project a try? Let'southward go over the ingredients so y'all take everything handy. This will vary depending on the number of tiers you'll need, only you go the thought.

You will find a full printable recipe card at the lesser of this post. For now, here'due south a quick peek at the ingredients you lot'll need.

Cake INGREDIENTS:

Cake mix (Pillsbury or other)
water (or milk, your preference)
vegetable oil
egg whites
almond extract
clear vanilla extract
box of vanilla pudding (optional)

FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

This is what yous'll demand to make my dream buttercream frosting. Yous tin do a elementary buttercream by just using butter and powdered sugar with a bit of milk, simply the yellow butter will cause the frosting to be off-white, not true white. The improver of Crisco and cream cheese volition stabilize the frosting and make it true white.

powdered sugar
salted butter
foam cheese
Crisco

FILLING OPTIONS:

I usually employ strawberry preserves between the layers of a wedding cake, but preferences vary. I've offered everything from berry to chocolate to nuts and caramel between the layers.

HOW TO Brand MY Piece of cake DIY Wedding ceremony Cake:

Kickoff, start by baking your cakes.

Grease and flour your pans.
Prepare the mixes no more than two at a time (Your oven tin can only hold so many pans at a time, later all!)
Bake according to the recipe on the box, substituting four egg whites for the three whole eggs in each recipe. I substitute milk for half of the h2o. And don't forget to add the extracts! Some people prefer to employ milk instead of water in the mixes. I always use water and vegetable oil. If you lot're adding dry pudding mix this is the time to put it in.
Fill the pans halfway, no fuller.
Bake the smaller cakes first. I can ordinarily fit the iii 6″ pans in my oven with a couple of the 9″ pans at the same time.
If your oven temperature isn't consequent, you might demand to swap out the pans on the bottom and top rack at the halfway point in the baking.
Cakes will be fully baked when they pull away from the sides and spring dorsum to the impact.
When your cakes are fully broiled, cool them to room temperature, turning out onto wire racks.

Brand Your Frosting

Bring butter and foam cheese to room temperature. (Yes, you use salted butter for this recipe. The tartness of the cream cheese balances out the salt in the butter, I promise!)
Mix foam cheese and butter until calorie-free and fluffy.
Add Crisco and continue to whip until fully incorporated.
On low speed slowly add powdered sugar
Add extracts (vanilla and almond)
Make certain your frosting is a expert consistency–non as well thick, non too sparse. You can e'er thin it down with a flake of milk.

Stack and Tier Your Cakes

For a total tutorial on this, visit my How to Tier a Cake post. I'll give simple instructions here, only please forgive the colorful cakes in the pictures below. They're from a brightly colored projection!

When all cakes are completely cooled, place a layer of the largest cake on the drum
Frost the elevation of the cake but
Add a ring of frosting around the border to concur in the filling
Fill with preserves or filling of your choice.
Add another cake (same size) on summit
Repeat frosting/ring/filling
Flip top cake upside-downwards over the other ii.
Cake layers should exist even-steven.
Add bubble tea straws to support block that will go above this i.
Cut them flush with the tiptop of the cake.
Frost the outside of the cake and scrape off nearly of the frosting with a demote scraper. (This is called a nibble coat.)
Chill in refrigerator

Repeat the procedure for the heart tier and elevation tier, putting each on a cake board that is slightly larger than the cake. I volition accept to refer you to my How to Tier a Block post to encounter more photos of this process. In the end you lot will have multiple tiers of cake.

How to Frost Your DIY Wedding ceremony Block

Working one tier at a time:

Set your cake on a turntable.
Using an off-ready spatula, add generous amounts of frosting to the sides of tops of the cake.
Smooth it, only don't worry about making it perfect.
Using a pocket-size off-ready spatula (or the back of a spoon) turn your turntable and create lines/texture on the block by scraping abroad a bit of the icing.
Go on up the cake until information technology looks like the picture below. Don't worry if information technology'south not perfect. "Imperfect" is in with this style.

Storing my DIY Hymeneals Cake Before Transport

Always store this DIY Wedding Block in the fridge since the frosting contains cream cheese. You will notice that I completely emptied my shelves so that no smells bleed over into the cake. If you're concerned about smells, put the cakes into individual bakery boxes before refrigerating.

Preparing to Deliver the DIY Wedding Block

If I'1000 delivering a 4-tiered nuptials cake I'll commonly put the bottom 2 tiers together at home and await to add the top two when I get at that place. (I once had a 4-tiered cake topple in the back of my SUV while turning a corner. . .fifty-fifty though it was doweled.)

As y'all tin see from the photo below, I put together this three-tiered wedding block at home and transported information technology in one slice to the wedding. I usually only experience prophylactic doing this if it's carefully doweled in the centre and if it's not a tall, narrow cake. (For example, I wouldn't transport a half dozen″, eight″, x″ cake merely I would transport a six″, ix″, 12″ cake.) The tall, narrow cakes are more inclined to topple.

Loading the DIY Wedding ceremony Cake into Your Vehicle:

Box smaller cakes individually and make certain larger ones are secure.
Load cakes onto a flat surface that is well protected from germs. (I put a sheet down in the back of my SUV.)
Gauge your fourth dimension properly for the drive and setup.
Accept your directions in accelerate.
Brand sure you lot arrive at least an hour or two before the hymeneals to set up.

Items to accept with yous when delivering a hymeneals cake:

When transporting a cake I always accept:

actress frosting
spatulas
pair of scissors
block decor
paper towels
extra dowels

How to Get together the Cake

See my How to Tier a Block mail for specifics on this but stack the cakes upon arrival and dowel them before adding whatever decor.

How to Decorate the Block:

If you're using fresh flowers, make sure the stems are wrapped in floral tape. It's all-time not to jab them directly into the cake, but to brand mounds of frosting to set them in. (Not all flowers are food rubber, so be conscientious!)

When adding flowers, alternate sides or run the flowers from to bottom on the diagonal. Make certain you know the bride'southward preferences earlier y'all begin.

Another Popular DIY Style: The Naked Cake

You've seen these everywhere–at weddings, baby showers, and even anniversary parties. To brand a naked cake, simply stop at the crumb coat stage, with bits of cake peeking through. Apply frosting liberally, simply scrape much of it all.

These naked cakes are gorgeous once decorated!

Variations on Cake Flavors

Multiple tiers means multiple opportunities for flavors! It's not unusual for me to brand ii-3 flavors, all inside one cake. Most people love white/almond hymeneals block, so I will often make the height 2 tiers white and the lesser/larger cake chocolate, (sometimes with the addition of turtle filling).

I recently did a cookie butter flavored wedding cake. And I can't tell you lot how many Italian Cream Cake versions I've done! I've likewise got a terrific Old-Fashioned Pound Cake recipe that you lot might adopt.

The possibilities actually are endless! (Folks will remember you're a professional person bakery! Past the cease of this procedure you'll definitely exist a more than experienced bakery, that's sure and certain!