Simple Wedding Cake: A DIY Baker’s Ultimate Guide
Simple Wedding Cake: A DIY Baker’s Ultimate Guide
Key Info
Prep Time: 45-60 minutes
Cook Time: 35-38 minutes per tier
Total Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Servings: 30-72
Difficulty: Moderate
Diet: Vegetarian
Equipment Needed
– Kitchen scale
– Cake leveler
– Offset spatula
– Stand mixer
– Cake turntable
– Cake boards
– Cake dowels
Ingredients
Vanilla Sponge Cake
– 5 cups all-purpose flour
– 4 ¾ cups granulated sugar
– 3 ¾ tsp baking powder
– 1 ½ tsp salt
– 1 ½ cups unsalted butter (room temp)
– 8 eggs
– 2 ¼ cups buttermilk
– 2 ½ tsp clear vanilla extract
– â…“ cup vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Buttercream
– 16 oz cream cheese
– 2 cups unsalted butter
– 11-12 cups powdered sugar
– 1 Tbsp clear vanilla extract
Method
1. Prep Your Space
– Gather all ingredients
– Bring dairy to room temperature
– Preheat oven to 325-350°F
– Grease and line cake pans
2. Make the Cake Batter
– Cream butter and sugar thoroughly
– Add eggs one at a time
– Gently fold in dry ingredients
Do not overmix
3. Bake the Layers
– Divide batter evenly
– Bake 35-40 minutes
– Test with toothpick for doneness
– Cool completely
4. Prepare Frosting
– Whip cream cheese and butter
– Gradually add powdered sugar
– Add vanilla extract
– Adjust consistency with cream
5. Assemble the Cake
– Level cake layers
– Place first layer on cake board
– Add dowel supports between tiers
– Apply crumb coat
– Chill for 15-20 minutes
– Final frosting layer
6. Decorate
– Add minimal decorations
– Use fresh or edible flowers
– Optional gold leaf or personalized topper
Crucial Tips
– Room temperature ingredients = better texture
– Use a turntable for smooth frosting
– Chill between coating layers
– Support tiers with dowels
Storage
– Refrigerate up to 24 hours
– Freeze unfrosted layers for 1 month
– Serve at cool room temperature
Variations
– Lemon cake with raspberry jam
– Chocolate base
– Vegan adaptations
– Single or multi-tier designs
Common Mistakes
– Overmixing batter
– Insufficient tier support
– Using non-food-safe decorations
– Unstable cake structure
Pro Recommendations
– Bake and decorate in stages
– Practice techniques beforehand
– Use high-quality ingredients
– Personalize with minimal elements
Dietary Notes
– Contains gluten, eggs, dairy
– Vegetarian
– High in sugars and fats
Budget Tips
– DIY saves significant costs
– Simple decorations reduce expenses
– Use seasonal, local ingredients
Final Thoughts
Creating your wedding cake is challenging but incredibly rewarding. Take your time, practice, and remember: perfection isn’t the goal – personal meaning is.
