None of that is necessary however, if you choose to make your own cake! It is easy to become overwhelmed or daunted by the task. They seem so difficult. But let me assure you, they are actually quite easy!
If you have made a cake before, you can make a wedding cake! Some of the easiest cakes are also the most elegant! Here are the basic steps you must take before you can begin….
- Determine the amount of cake you will need to ensure all of your guests will get a slice if they want it.
- Determine your cake and filling flavors. Try going to bridal bazaar’s to take in all the free cake samples!
- Determine your design. Cascade cakes or suspended cake holders will be the easiest options, because you will not have to tier the cakes, but tiring or stacking cakes is not that much more difficult, so don’t panic if this is your dream cake!
Cake flavors. Believe it or not, cakes made directly from a box (gasp) are wonderful, especially with the right fillings! So do not be daunted. If you don’t have time or desire to make your cakes from scratch, don’t!
However, the same cannot be said about store bought frostings. Store bought frostings lack a consistency that is required to enable you to pipe borders and roses, and all the other fun decorating designs that you may want on your cake. The best recipes to work with are the standard butter cream recipe with all, or part Crisco, and part butter. It is widely available, from websites and most popular cookbooks as well. To ensure fantastic results, use a recipe that has more Crisco than butter. When you use a higher concentration of butter you risk having icing that is too thin, and may melt in the heat or sun.
Fillings are deceptively difficult. Simple, everyday items, such as whipped cream and jam can be a delightful filling. Other, easy and popular fillings are canned fruit, pudding, and mousse. All of which, can be purchased at your local grocery store in pre-made, or easy make batches!
The final step comes with the final frosting and decorating of the cake. There are a number of resources that you can consult to learn, practice and apply the designs of your dreams. In fact, most wedding cakes designs are simplistic and elegant like that listed here.
These cakes are surprisingly simple!
It requires the shell border on top and bottom, and the basket weave technique on the sides. Then simply tier using cascade tiers, arrange some beautiful live flowers, and you are done!
Now, you must be asking yourself… “Where do I learn these techniques?” Well, many craft and bakeries offer inexpensive cake decorating classes. Wilton, for example, offers several courses that run about twenty-five dollars each. They are fun, inexpensive and a great way to get you acquainted with the tools, and techniques, so that you feel confident and ready when it comes time to do your cakes.
However, if you do not have the time or resources to do this, there are a number of books and tutorials that will walk you through, step by step, on how to decorate. Wilton specializes in this area. They sell kits, books, and practice boards to walk you though the whole process on your own.
Once you have made your choices on amount, cake sizes, design, fillings and flavors I suggest baking a couple of cakes to get the hang of it. This will familiarize yourself with the process, and give you a great chance to practice frosting and decorating. This will relax your mind, and make it easy and fun when you do it “for real”.
So, now you are armed with all your newfound knowledge! Don’t worry! Many readers have done this, without prior experience, and so can you! Do not hesitate! Go forth and BAKE!
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