DIY Wedding Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating your own wedding cake is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to bake, assemble, and decorate your own wedding cake.
Getting Started
Before diving into the baking process, it’s crucial to do your homework. Start by researching the practices of professional wedding cake bakers. Understand that a wedding cake requires different considerations than a standard party cake due to its size and significance. You can learn from experienced bakers and get inspiration by checking out tutorials from The Spruce Eats and The Kitchn.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools before you start baking. Here’s a list to help you get started:
- 12”, 9”, and 6” cake pans, each 3” tall (available at craft and baking supply stores)
- Parchment paper to line the pans
- Large serrated knife
- Cardboard cake boards in 12”, 9”, and 6”
- 10 non-flexible straws
- Offset spatula
For the cake, you will need sugar, cake flour, eggs, extra egg whites, sour cream, whole milk, and room temperature butter, among other ingredients. In case you run out of cake flour, here’s a handy cake flour substitute from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Baking and Assembling the Cake
Once you have all your ingredients and tools ready, you can start the baking process. Follow a reliable recipe, ensuring all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results. The Allrecipes guide offers a simple yet delicious white wedding cake recipe that you can follow.
After baking, let your cakes cool completely before assembling them. Use a large serrated knife to level off the tops, ensuring each layer is flat and even. If you’re planning to add fillings between the layers, lemon curd is a great option, and you can use leftover egg yolks to make it.
Decorating Your Cake
Once your cake is assembled, it’s time to decorate! Use a smooth buttercream to cover your cake, creating a blank canvas for any additional decorations. The offset spatula will be your best friend during this process, helping to smooth out the icing and create a professional finish. Don’t forget to check out Wilton’s Wedding Cake Guide for helpful tips on decorating your cake.
Final Thoughts
Baking and decorating a wedding cake is a significant task, but with the right preparation and tools, it’s definitely achievable. Remember to start your preparations early, be patient, and enjoy the process!
For additional baking and decorating supplies, feel free to check out the options available on Amazon (ad).
