What Is the Best Way To Stack A Themed Wedding Cake?

by Elaine Barr
(Glasgow, Scotland)

I am on very strict budget for my wedding cake. I've found the M&S cakes at £115 too expensive and the Tesco and Asda cakes too small, so I'm going to make my own so it's like the one above. I have 9 months left, which gives me plenty of time if it doesn't work out!

I would like to know the best way to stack the cakes so they are secure and do not sink into the cake below.


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Question continued...

The bottom tier will be a fruit cake and the middle and top one will be a dark chocolate fudge cake.
I am going to cover the cakes with white marzipan and also the sugar paste icing. Which would be best marzipan and icing to use for this?
I also want to make B&G and have been advised to use Mexican modelling paste for this.

Answer:

Well, good for you! That cake looks fab!

First of all you've got your cake in the right order! The fruit cake will be much heavier than the chocolate cake, so definitely put that on the bottom. It will act as a good base for your other cakes.

I would advise using a plywood base and then placing each of the cakes on its own cardboard stand. Each layer will then be held up by dowels. It's not easy to do this if you've not it before, but there are instructions on how to assemble a three-tier wedding cake. It is definitely worth practising this as it's quite a skill, and again, allow plenty of time!

 

Some general tips to help:

- Place the cakes on the boards BEFORE adding the marzipan and the icing. This is so you cover the board as well which will make your cake look more professional
- Ensure each of the tiers is the same depth. If necessary cut your tiers to the same depth.
- Ensure that each of the tiers is level by using a spirit measure – you don’t want your cake lopsided!
- If you're using just dowels and no pillars, then cover the tops of the dowels with a little icing. Once the icing dries, it will act like a glue and help the tier stick to the one below. This is also safer for transit.
- Also use a little icing on the base of the cake to help it stick to the plywood or metal base.
- Add a ribbon at the base of each tier to hide any joins. Always add the ribbon (or other form of decoration) even if it's the same colour as the cake.

For the marzipan, you could use shop bought or you could make your own. Most of the supermarkets stock marzipan that you can simply roll out and place over the cake. It's easy and simple and I'd recommend it.

With icing, I'd recommend a fondant icing which will work with both types of cake. You can also buy this as ready-to-roll, or even ready-rolled from the supermarkets. I'd go for ready-rolled so you don't have to worry about getting a smooth finish – it's done for you! Fondant icing is also used for cake decorating, so you'll easily be able to create that suitcase look.

I've not done any lettering before, so I can't advise you on the whether Mexican modelling paste is right for you or not. If you've been recommended it by someone, then why not give it a whirl and see if it does the job well? Alternatively, ask in your nearest cake equipment shop.

I hope that helps.