Everything you want to know about wedding cakes
Your cake will be one of the very first decisions you make when planning your wedding. As the star of your wedding, it is worth a lot of attention. As you will soon discover, there are many decisions to be made, including the size, shape, colours, flavours, wedding toppers, and decorations.
We know you’ll have questions, so we put together a guide on wedding cakes. From traditions to how to store your cake, to customising it for your special day, this ultimate guide will answer all your questions.
Why is a wedding cake white?
In Victorian times, the tradition of the white wedding cake began. White sugar was still very expensive, so wealthy families were the only ones who could afford it. The icing was a status symbol, and Queen Victoria’s wedding cake with white icing earned it the name ‘royal’. Royal icing can still be found on fruitcakes, but wedding cake icings are usually covered in fondant or buttercream.
Where did the tradition of saving cakes come from?
Tradition has it that the top tier of the wedding cake is saved to be used at the baptism of the couple’s first child. However, couples’ values have changed, and they may now choose to freeze their top tier in preparation for their first anniversary or eat it the following morning for breakfast.
Can I select a chocolate cake for my wedding?
Fruit was used to make traditional wedding cakes because it lasted a long time. Couples can now choose from a variety of flavours to suit their tastes or those of their guests. Some couples choose different flavours for each tier to satisfy all palates. If chocolate is your favourite flavour, you can select that for your wedding cake.
How long can a wedding cake be stored?
Avoid storing a cake with buttercream and sponge in the refrigerator, as it will dry out the cake and cause the icing to become hard. To prevent the cake from drying out, keep it covered and out of direct sunlight. It should last several days this way. It is best to store each piece of cake in an airtight container if your cake has been cut. You can freeze it if you don’t plan to eat it in the next couple of days.
How can I freeze my wedding cakes?
If you store your wedding cake properly, it will freeze well. After removing all decorations, toppers, and ribbons, transfer the cake to a foil-covered cardboard or plastic plate.
If you freeze the cake uncovered in the freezer for an hour, the icing will not stick to the wrapping paper. Remove the cake from the freezer and wrap it with foil and cling film. Make sure the cover is airtight so that it doesn’t dry out. The cake can be placed back in the freezer and left there until it is time to eat. At that point, you should remove it and slowly defrost it at room temperature.
How tall should a cake be?
The height and size of the wedding cake will depend on how many guests are attending, as well as the type of cake that you want to have for the big day. This can be anything from square or round tiers to a cake in a unique form. One or two tiers are sufficient if you have a small guest list. However, for a large celebration, several tiers will be needed to make sure everyone gets a piece.
What is the best option: buttercream or fondant?
It’s not just a matter of personal taste, but also what kind of cake decoration you are looking for. Buttercream is a great choice for a light and fluffy design, but a firmer fondant works better with some designs. Buttercream does not hold up in humid, hot environments, so you should also consider this when making your decision. A summer wedding might be better served by a fondant-based design.