Ultimate 2-Tier Wedding Cake: Your Dream Dessert Masterpiece

Key Info

Prep Time: 2-3 hours

Cook Time: 1-1.5 hours

Total Time: 5-6 hours

Servings: 30-35 people

Difficulty: Intermediate

Dietary Options: Vegetarian adaptable, Vegan/Gluten-free possible

Equipment Needed

• 6″ and 8″ round cake pans
• Stand mixer
• Cake boards
• Cake dowels
• Offset spatula
• Serrated knife
• Piping bags (optional)

Ingredients

Cake Layers

• 5-6 cups cake flour
• 5 cups granulated sugar
• 3-4 sticks unsalted butter
• 8 large eggs
• 2.5-3 cups milk/buttermilk
• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Salt

Buttercream Frosting

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups unsalted butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Preparation Method

1. Prep Work

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Prepare cake pans with parchment
• Soften butter to room temperature
• Measure all ingredients precisely

2. Mixing Cake Batter

• Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
• Add eggs one at a time
• Alternate dry and wet ingredients
• Mix just until combined
• Avoid overmixing

3. Baking Layers

• Divide batter between 6″ and 8″ pans
• Bake 25-35 minutes
• Check internal temperature reaches 200°F
• Cool completely (1 hour minimum)

4. Frosting & Assembly

• Level cake layers
• Create buttercream
• Crumb coat each tier
• Chill 30-60 minutes
• Apply final frosting layer
• Insert dowels in bottom tier
• Carefully stack tiers

Crucial Tips

• Ensure layers are completely cool before frosting
• Use cake boards between tiers for stability
• Cut dowels precisely to cake height
• Chill cake between frosting stages

Storage

• Room temperature: 1-2 days
• Refrigerated: Up to 5 days
• Cover airtight
• Bring to room temp before serving

Variations

• Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Red Velvet
• Fillings: Fruit preserves, Ganache
• Decorations: Fresh flowers, Metallic accents

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Unstable dowel placement
• Overmixing batter
• Stacking warm cakes
• Inconsistent frosting layers

Scaling

• Increase tier sizes for larger groups
• Add third tier if needed
• Adjust recipe proportionally

Pro Decorator Secrets

• Use a turntable for smooth frosting
• Chill between coating layers
• Practice piping techniques
• Match cake design to wedding theme

Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-free flour blend
• Vegan butter alternatives
• Egg replacers
• Non-dairy milk options

Budget Breakdown

• Homemade: $150-$250
• Bakery custom: $200-$400

Trending in 2025

• Intimate cake designs
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• Eco-friendly options