A wedding cake is essentially just a really big layer cake, and making one from scratch can be fun as long as you plan ahead, are organized, and have all the right equipment on hand. Keep in mind that this cake, if decorated differently, would be great for any big celebration, such as a birthday, anniversary, or anytime party.
Before tying on your apron, it’s good to know what you’re in for, so here’s the rundown. The cake comprises three cake tiers: a 12-inch bottom tier, a 9-inch middle tier, and a 6-inch top tier. Each tier is made of three layers of cake and two layers of filling (mix and match flavors, if you so please). After baking, assembling, and frosting each tier separately, the tiers are stacked on top of each other; evenly spaced wooden dowels placed within each tier ensures overall structural integrity and helps prevent the cake from collapsing upon itself. After stacking comes the fun part: decorating! And even more fun after that: transporting. Before you know it, it’ll be time for merriment, a toast to the new couple, and sweet, sweet cake.
With proper time and preparation, this baking behemoth will be well worth the effort. This project will take you roughly 12 hours of kitchen time (though much of the work can be done ahead); it is essential that you have a roomy refrigerator (or an extra one) and a lot of freezer space.
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
STRAIGHT-SIDED ROUND CAKE PANS
You’ll need one 12-inch, one 9-inch, and one 6-inch cake pan.
STANDING MIXER
A 4.5-quart capacity mixer works fine; you could use a hand-held mixer but it will be quite laborious.
CARDBOARD CAKE ROUNDS (6-, 9-, AND 12-INCH ROUNDS)
You’ll need at least 5 of each size, but having more on hand can be helpful. You’ll use these for unmolding the cakes from the cake pans, storing the cake layers, and assembling and icing the tiers.
CANDY THERMOMETER
You will need this when making the buttercream.
14-INCH ROUND CAKE BASE
This specialty item is essential to support a multitiered cake. It is available in a variety of styles and materials including heavy-duty plastic, Formica, ¼-inch-thick foil-wrapped cardboard, and sterling silver.
MASKING TAPE
You’ll use the tape to adhere the cake (on its cardboard round) to the cake base.
WOODEN DOWELS
You’ll need 1 yard of ¼-inch-thick wooden dowel rod (available at most hardware or craft stores).
ICING SPATULAS
It is helpful to have multiple flat and offset icing spatulas of various sizes for icing and assembling the cake.
NONSLIP SHELF LINER
This will keep the cakes from slipping while you’re icing them and keep them stable when they are transported.
REVOLVING CAKE STAND
This is essential for icing the cake and getting the sides smooth.
MEDIUM PASTRY BAG AND 3⁄16-INCH ROUND TIP
If you want to experiment with a variety of cake designs, you will want other sizes and types of tips; to make switching the tips easy (without having to empty the pastry bag), buy a coupler.
PLYWOOD
You’ll need a 2-foot-square piece of ¼-inch-thick plywood. You will use this for transporting the finished cake to its final destination.
Assembly Step #1 Build the Bottom Tier
Slide a 12-inch cake layer onto a 12-inch cardboard round and spread 2 cups of the filling over the cake, leaving a ½-inch border at the edge. The bottom tier will remain on this cardboard round throughout the entire cake-building process.
Assembly Step #2 Use the Cardboard Rounds for Leverage
Repeat with another 12-inch cake layer and 2 cups more filling (if using two filling flavors, use the second flavor here). Be sure to use a cardboard round to help move the cake layers around. Put the worst-looking layer in the middle of the cake and leave the prettiest, flattest layer for the top.
Assembly Step #3 Build the Middle and Top Tiers Separately
Set the bottom tier aside and build the middle tier on a 9-inch cardboard round using 2 cups more filling (1 cup of filling between the layers). On a 6-inch cardboard round, build the top tier using the remaining 1 cup filling (½ cup of filling between the layers). To make it easy to move these tiers around (especially after they’re iced), we support them with larger cardboard rounds lined with a piece of nonslip shelf liner.
Assembly Step #4 Place the Bottom Tier on the Cake Base
Line the edges of a 14-inch round cake base with small shingled pieces of parchment. Place several loops of masking tape in the center of the base and gently lay the bottom tier, supported by its 12-inch cardboard round, onto the center of the base. You will frost the bottom tier right on the cake base.
Assembly Step #5 Frost the Tiers Separately
Using a revolving cake stand lined with nonslip shelf liner, ice the bottom, middle, and top tiers separately. Spread a thick layer of buttercream, between ¼ and ½ inch thick, over the sides of the cake using a back and forth motion. Then drop a mound of buttercream onto the top of the cake and gently spread it out to a smooth, even layer.
Assembly Step #6 Smooth Out the Frosting
Continue to smooth out the buttercream on the sides of the cake until it looks even and clean. The excess buttercream will naturally form a lip around the top edge. To remove this excess buttercream, simply swipe it across the top of the cake with a clean spatula.
Stacking Step #1 Mark the Bottom Tier
Lightly press an inverted 9-inch cake pan or cardboard round in the center of the bottom tier to make an outline.
Stacking Step #2 Measure and Cut the Dowels for the Bottom Tier
Insert a dowel into the very center of the bottom tier and mark the height of the frosting on the dowel with a pencil. Remove the dowel from the cake and cut 5 dowels to this length with a serrated knife or small saw.
Stacking Step #3 Insert Dowels into the Bottom Tier
Place one of the trimmed dowels in the center of the bottom tier and insert the other 4 dowels around it, spacing them evenly within the outline. The dowels should be the same height as the frosting, or just a little shorter. If the dowels are too tall, remove them and trim as needed. The dowels will help prevent the upper tiers of cake from crushing the cake underneath.
Stacking Step #4 Measure, Cut, and Insert Middle Tier Dowels
Using an inverted 6-inch round cake pan or cardboard round, mark an outline in the center of the middle tier, then measure 3 more dowels and space them evenly within the outline.
Stacking Step #5 Stack the Middle Tier
Using both a metal spatula and your hand, gently lay the middle cake tier, supported by its 9-inch cardboard round, in the center of the bottom tier using the outline as a guide. (The cardboard round will remain underneath the tier, for support, until serving time.) Lay the back of the tier down first, then remove your hand, and slowly lower the tier down using just the spatula.
Stacking Step #6 Stack the Top Tier
Gently lay the top cake tier, supported by its 6-inch cardboard round, in the center of the middle tier using the outline as a guide.
Decorating Ideas
Before you start decorating, choose the best-looking side of the cake to be the “front.” Start decorating at the “back” of the cake and work your way around—this way, all the start and stop points from piping will be hidden at the back.
Decorating Step #1 Make a Running Pearl Border
Using a 3⁄16-inch round tip, pipe a running pearl border around the bottom of each tier to cover up the cardboard. First pipe out a small dot of buttercream, then stop piping and pull the bag away sharply to the side to create a little tail. For the next pearl, pipe on top of the previous pearl’s tail. Hold the bag at an angle to the cake.
Decorating Step #2 Repeat the Pearl Border
Repeat the running pearl edge around the top edge of each tier. Use your finger to help guide the tip and keep it steady as you pipe. Take your time here and make the pearls as even as possible.
Decorating Step #3 Make a Trio of Dots
Using a 3⁄16-inch round tip, pipe a small trio of dots along the top edge of each tier, leaving a pearl’s width between each trio. To make these dots, pipe a small amount of buttercream, then stop piping and pull the bag straight away. Hold the bag perpendicular to the cake.
Decorating Idea #1 Make a Leafy Border
You can either do a single row of leaves at an angle (as shown) or let the leaves drape straight down over the side of the cake. Any leaf tip will work here.
Decorating Idea #2 Make Garlands of Flowers
You will need to use a flower or star tip to make the flowers, and there are lots of different varieties to choose from. We like garlands made with two or three different styles and sizes of flowers. Before you start, divide the cake into quarters and mark out how many sweeps will fit within each quarter.
Decorating Idea #3 Make a Fancy Dot Design
Using a 1⁄16-inch round pastry tip, start with the sides first and pipe a scalloped edge of dots around the side of the cake; for an even scalloped pattern around the cake, divide the cake into quarters and mark out how many scallops will fit within each quarter. After making the scalloped edge, pipe offset rows of dots above the scalloped edge on the side of the cake and onto the top of the cake tier.
Transporting the Cake
Once the cake is stacked and decorated, it can be tricky to move around; we find it helpful to use a 24-inch-square piece of plywood lined with a piece of nonslip shelf liner. If you have to transport the cake by car, make sure that the plywood base fits in your car. For tricky transport (or a long car ride), you may want to consider cutting open a large clean cardboard box, then taping it closed around the cake and attaching it firmly to the plywood.
Disassembling the Cake
When you are ready to serve the cake, carefully transport it back to the kitchen. Don’t attempt to cut the cake in front of your guests, because it can get very messy. Before cutting up the cake, you have to disassemble the tiers and remove any flowers or other decorations.
Disassembly Step #1
The easiest way to remove the top and middle tiers is to slide a thin metal spatula underneath the cardboard round supporting the tier; remove each tier one at a time. Gently tilt the tier up until you can slip your hand underneath.
Disassembly Step #2
To remove the dowels from the bottom and middle tiers, use a clean pair of tweezers or pliers to carefully pull the dowels out of the cake.
About the Author: America's Test Kitchen
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I can’t wait to make this. Finally a site that makes the steps very clear. I amy try the pearl decorations first but am anxious to try a garland.
Have come across many instructional sites on putting together a wedding cake, but this is the 1st time I’ve seen Disassembly instructions.
I really think this is a fantastic site! It is so nice to be able to see a simple straight forward explanation on building a wedding cake.
the layers are golden …. so so BEAUTIFUL. Would love to eat these pics
This is so helpful! I’m making my first wedding cake, and it took away alot of my fear to find these great instructions!
A few years ago, I made my daughter’s wedding cake. It was made (including my first attempt at fondant icing) in suburban NYC and transported to San Francisco. I used slip-resistant shelving in a plastic container to carry it. Parchment and shipping balloons surrounded it to fill empty spaces. Even the turbulence during the flight did not disturb the cake. An experience I will never forget!
This is great info!! Thank you very much … I love this website
This is very helpful. coz i have a wedding cake to make in June, and this website helped me alot, i made alot of notes out of them. I will be making with foundat not with buttercream. Are the rules alply the same?Thank u for sharing, and cake recipe wow
How many Kg’s are all three Tiers?