Simple elegance wedding cake
See this recipe step by step

Simple elegance wedding cake

To make a three-tier wedding cake, all you need to do is multiply basic cake mixtures and icings, and take your time

Difficulty and servings

For the keen cook

CUTS INTO about 90 slices

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

PREP & COOK 3 days to stagger the work

Freezable

Method

  1. MAKING THE CAKES: Make the basic Easy vanilla cake recipe (see 'Goes well with'), following the instructions below for each tier, then cool and drench with the syrup. The cakes can be frozen ahead, without icing. However, if you bake them three days before the wedding, the cake will be fine until the big day.
  2. For the bottom tier, triple the quantities for the basic cake mix, then spoon into a ready-lined deep round 30cm cake tin. Bake for 2 hrs 15 mins on the middle shelf until risen and cooked through as before. While this cooks, make up a quadruple batch of the syrup - this will be enough for all three cakes. Cool and drench the cake with syrup as before.
  3. For the middle and top tiers, double the quantities for the basic cake mix, then spoon it into ready-lined 15cm and 23cm cake tins, filling each to about two-thirds full. Bake them together on the middle shelf, taking the small cake out after 1 hr 15 mins, and leaving the larger cake to cook for 1 hr 30 mins in total. If you know that your oven has hot spots, quickly move the cakes around after 50 mins. Cool and drench with syrup as before.
  4. LAYER AND COVER THE CAKES: Make the buttercream as in the basic recipe. You will need 5 x basic quantity - this is a lot, so split your weighed-out quantities in two before you start mixing. You may have some left over, but better too much than too little. Weigh out the buttercream - you will need approximately 400g for the 15cm cake, 600g for the 23cm cake and 1.3kg for the 30cm cake. Spread a little buttercream over the 15cm cake board. Level the top of the cake if you need to, then upturn the 15cm cake onto it. Split into three using a bread knife. I like to mark the front of the cake on each layer before lifting it off, using toothpicks, so I can reassemble it in exactly the right way. Take the top third off first (what was the bottom of the cake) and set aside. Carefully cut the middle layer and set that aside, too. A flat baking sheet or cake lifter can be very helpful here to slide the cake layers off and then back onto each other.
  5. Spread a layer of buttercream over the cake on the board. Return the middle layer, lining up the toothpick markings, then spread another layer of buttercream on top. Add a little jam if you like, dotting it over, then spreading evenly. Top with the final piece of cake, then dust off any crumbs on or around the cake. Now brush the whole cake with a thin layer of apricot jam. This should stop you getting too many crumbs in the buttercream. Sit the whole cake on a large sheet of baking parchment.
  6. Spread the rest of the buttercream over, starting with the top, then smooth and paddle it around the sides and down to the board. Repeat the whole process with the remaining cakes, using the corresponding boards and the different quantities of buttercream. The cakes are now ready to be iced. You can leave them overnight if needed, loosely covered with cling film.
  7. COVERING THE CAKE WITH ICING: You will need about 500g icing for the 15cm cake, 1kg for the 23cm cake and 1.7kg for the 30cm cake. Dust the work surface with icing sugar, knead the icing until pliable, then use your rolling pin to roll it into a circle large enough to cover the sides and top of the cake, with a little left over. Use string to check the size. Use your rolling pin to help you lift the icing over the cake.
  8. Smooth the icing around the cake with your hands, easing it over the edges and down to the board. Then trim off the excess with a sharp knife, flush with the bottom of the cake board. Smooth any marks with the flats of your hands, buffing the icing to a slight shine. Once you've iced all the cakes, cover the thick base board. Lightly brush with cooled boiled water, then lay the icing over. Trim to the edge of the board with a knife (I tend to do this like I would a pie crust, holding the board in my left hand, and knife in my right), then leave the board and the cakes to dry overnight.
  9. STACKING THE CAKES: Dowels, which are basically plastic sticks, provide stability and strength to tiered cakes, and polystyrene blocks allow you to add a 'floating' layer of flowers. By measuring and cutting the dowels to the same length as the polystyrene, you'll provide an even platform for the next cake to sit on, even if the cake below is a bit wonky.
  10. Sit the 15cm dummy centrally on top of the biggest cake. Insert four of the dowels into the cake, around the outside of the dummy, in a square shape. Push them right down until they meet the cake board. Mark with a pen where the top of the dummy comes to.
  11. Carefully pull out the dowels; then, using scissors, score around each dowel where you marked it. Snap the plastic cleanly. Re-insert the dowels in their original holes, rounded end down. Repeat the process with the 23cm cake and the 12cm dummy. Position the biggest cake in the middle of the covered board. Run a thin line of glue around the base board and fix the ribbon around it. Fix the ribbon around each cake, using a spot of the glue on the ribbon to secure it to itself. If you're moving the cake to a venue, put the cakes into their boxes now. Make a little kit to take with you - glue, scissors, etc - just in case you have to re-do anything.
  12. ON THE DAY - STACKING AND DECORATING THE CAKE WITH FLOWERS: I used hydrangeas - they're beautiful, in season and you can achieve a dramatic effect with relatively few blooms. On the day, save putting the flowers on the cake until as late as you reasonably can. Cut the stems of the hydrangeas to about 2-3cm. Split your least-favourite bloom into smaller pieces - this will help you fill any awkward gaps later. Make sure you save one beautiful bloom for the top.
  13. Insert a length of floristry wire into each stem (or wind it around the stem), leaving a spike of wire about 3cm long. Push this into the polystyrene dummy. Repeat until the two dummies are surrounded with a halo of flowers. The bottom cake should be in its permanent position now - out of direct light and away from any radiators. Lift the 23cm cake onto the bottom polystrene dummy, taking care not to squash any petals, then repeat with the top cake. Fill any gaps with the broken-up flower head you reserved earlier. Sit the final bloom on top of the cake, and you're done!
  14. CUTTING THE CAKE: Cut the cake across, in a grid, rather than into wedges. You should be able to get 50 servings from the large cake, 30 from the middle and 12 from the top, when cut into 2.5 x 5cm pieces.
Try

Sourcing the equipment

All of the specialist equipment used is available from Squires (0845 225 5671, squires-shop.com) and Sugarshack (0800 597 5097, sugarshack.co.uk). Both deliver nationwide and Squires hires out tins.

Vanilla buttercream (enough for a 20cm cake)

Put 175g soft unsalted butter into a large bowl. Beat with electric beaters for a few secs until pale. Gradually add 300g sifted icing sugar, a spoonful at a time, beating well after each addition. The mixture will seem stiff by the time all the sugar has been added, but keep beating and it will become pale and creamy. Finally, beat in seeds from 1 vanilla pod or 1 tsp vanilla paste. Will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Bring back to room temperature and beat well before using.

TIP

Before I ice a cake, I sit it on a big sheet of baking parchment. This lets you lift and move the cakes about as you ice, without disturbing the icing around the bottom. Never put a cake with sugarpaste icing on it into the fridge. Water will condense onto the icing, softening and spoiling all your hard work.

TIP

Chilling the sponges for 30 mins before cutting makes them easier to cut into layers. If you're really nervous about this bit, just split the cakes into two. Start with the smallest cake; that way once you know what you're doing, you'll feel more confident to do it on a larger scale.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, June 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

Results 1-20

  • Binder photo peebeeh

    2009-06-17 17:13:16.993553

    peebeeh rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    My wife made this cake for a friend's wedding - it stole the show and every scrap was eaten. We chose different flowers but followed the colour scheme. The cakes cooled with a Waisted shape - no problem everyone thought they were a clever shape!

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  • Binder photo nanasandie

    2009-06-19 15:21:24.225312

    nanasandie rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    I made the second tier for my niece's christening and it was delicious! I covered it with with Regal ice ready to roll in pale pink. Beautiful! There wasn't a slice left to take home for a cup of tea! Will definitely be making this cake again.

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  • Binder photo Helen79

    2009-08-17 20:06:39.650274

    Helen79 commented on this recipe

    Hi, I am planning to use this recipe for my daughters birthday cake (will be my first attempt at making a special cake) sorry to ask a silly question but do you put buttercream under the regal ice? Many thanks Helen x

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  • Binder photo clair

    2010-04-11 08:30:55.840255

    clair commented on this recipe

    Middle Tier: I've never made a 'proper' cake before, usually i use a packet mixture, but I won't anymore, this cake was easy and delicious!!!! I made a mistake on though, it looked cooked after 1 hour 15 mins so i took it out of the oven 15 minutes too early). Next time I will keep it in for a little longer as i found the middle part of the cake was only 99.9 % set. Everyone loved it though and I'll be making this again for Birthdays and my friends Wedding in August.

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  • Binder photo jobyjo

    2010-05-26 21:05:01.846584

    jobyjo commented on this recipe

    i'm making a christening cake for a friend but it will be a 12 inch square tin can you please tell me the quantities, time and gas mark thanks

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  • Binder photo jobyjo

    2010-05-26 21:08:12.864819

    jobyjo commented on this recipe

    i'm making a christening cake for a friend but it will be a 12 inch square tin can you please tell me the quantities, time and gas mark thanks

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  • Binder photo susiel

    2010-10-06 21:12:41.819126

    susiel commented on this recipe

    I MADE THIS WEDDING CAKE FOR MY DAUGHTERS WEDDING. IT WAS MY FIRST TIME MAKING A WEDDING CAKE BUT IT LOOKED FABULOUS AND TASTED WONDERFUL. I USED CREAM AND RED ROSES TO DECORATE THE CAKE AS THAT WAS THE THEME. EVERY ONE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN MADE BY A PROFFESIONAL! I HAVE SAVED THE RECIPE AS IT IS EASY, IF YOU TAKE YOUR TIME AND I GOT SO MANY COMPLIMENTS...WOULD RECOMMEND ANYONE TO HAVE A GO...

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  • Binder photo cutelove

    2011-01-05 20:14:45.227771

    cutelove commented on this recipe

    I made this cake for the fun of it (big mistak) it was very hard for me as i dont make that many cakes so it did not tern out right but it was wonderfull and it was not dry so if you make this cake you have to be very crafty

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  • Binder photo nanasandie

    2011-01-06 15:19:06.268916

    nanasandie commented on this recipe

    I have made the second tier of this cake for six parties so far, decorating it differently every time. It really is delicious.

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  • Binder photo susiewedd

    2011-02-15 08:54:12.714488

    susiewedd commented on this recipe

    I am interested in using this recipe for a square wedding cake, can anyone tell me how much would I need to alter the recipe to do this. The size would be 23cm tin.

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  • Binder photo Murph

    2011-04-12 18:32:05.569442

    Murph commented on this recipe

    Made this cake for my bother's wedding, it was delicious, instructions easy to follow, just take your time and don't rush it, it looked very professional, and yes would make it again

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  • Binder photo Helen LJ

    2011-04-18 18:47:54.089362

    Helen LJ rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Thank you for a great recipe! I've been making various tiers of this cake for different friends' birthdays and anniversaries, and last week followed the full method to create my first three-tier wedding cake, with a combination of fruit and sponge cakes. It went down really well, the instructions were easy to follow, and the end result looked very impressive. I'll definitely be using this one again.

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  • Binder photo Irene

    2011-05-19 11:37:40.194392

    Irene commented on this recipe

    For a 12" square cake, follow quantities and times for the bottom tier.

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  • Binder photo chiffon56

    2011-09-03 03:15:51.647566

    chiffon56 commented on this recipe

    This cake looks spectacular... however just so people do not become ill, I need to advise that hydrangeas are a poionous flower if consumed and therefore should not be eaten . So, if using fresh flowers on the cake, make sure they are put on at the latest possible time prior to the wedding reception and removed before the cake is cut and served. Or use silk hydrangeas or make fondant flowers to adorn the cake.

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  • Binder photo tenpens

    2011-10-23 22:14:05.987075

    tenpens commented on this recipe

    Hi, I have made the middle tier of this cake before and it is truely delicious! So I have decided to attempt to make a double tier cake for an upcoming Christening... I just wondered whether a 12"/13" cake tin is suitable for a normal domestic oven? as this is an approx size I would like to use for the bottom tier... however an assistant in the cake shop where I buy my supplies suggested this would be too big for a normal oven, with the air in the oven not moving around properly to cook the cake... is this the case? and if so what is a more suitable size? :)

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  • Binder photo madeitwithlove

    2012-01-13 01:29:29.602021

    madeitwithlove commented on this recipe

    A domestic oven is just fine to bake a large cake in proving the tin fits in without tilting in any way. My only advice would be to bake the 12" cake batter in two halves. I follow the instructions to triple the basic recipe then halve it and make two cakes instead of one big one. This way each cake takes approximately 45 mins( in my oven, all ovens are different), and there is no need then to split the cake if you prefer not to. I keep the temperature 160c for non fan and 140 for fan operated ovens.

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  • Binder photo JoySq

    2012-04-30 16:18:41.372764

    JoySq commented on this recipe

    I want to make a 36cm (14") round and a 30cm (12") round cake for the bottom 2 tiers of a wedding cake Top one is a fruit cake(for keeping) Please can you advise on the amount times the basic recipe needed for these 2 sizes. Need to get 125 total pieces from the cakes.

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  • Binder photo KewCooker

    2012-05-06 22:58:11.653939

    KewCooker commented on this recipe

    I made this cake for my wedding. We a made each layer twice as we had 170 people and wanted a bigger cake. This worked very well, it is a strong cake and could take the weight without issues. We also used a florist to do the layers inbetween. We haven't made a lot of cakes before so we made a few errors but the recipe was surprisingly forgiving. We didn't use dough hooks for the first bit of mixing and so we broke a mixer.

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  • Binder photo KewCooker

    2012-05-06 22:58:58.354665

    KewCooker rated this recipe

    4 stars

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  • Binder photo Katharyn

    2012-08-31 12:04:06.400288

    Katharyn commented on this recipe

    Hi. I am making a wedding cake for a friend. All round cakes tiers, a 12" a 10" and an 8" Can anyone let me know what quantities I should use for each tier and cooking times that they found successful. Would really appreciate any advice :)

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Difficulty and servings

For the keen cook

CUTS INTO about 90 slices

Preparation and cooking times

Total time

PREP & COOK 3 days to stagger the work

Freezable

Ingredients

YOU WILL NEED

  • 5 x ingredients for Easy vanilla cake (see 'Goes well with' recipe below)
  • 5 x ingredients for Basic vanilla buttercream (see recipe below)
  • 340g/12oz jar strawberry jam , optional (I used Tiptree Strawberry & Champagne)
  • 340g/12oz jar apricot jam , warmed and sieved
  • 4kg white ready-to-roll icing (I used Regalice)
  • 15cm, 23cm and 30cm thin round cake boards
  • 40cm thick round cake board
  • cocktail sticks
  • palette knife
  • a roll of baking parchment
  • a flat baking sheet or cake lifter
  • icing sugar , for rolling out
  • string , for measuring
  • 8 x long plastic dowels
  • kitchen scissors
  • 3.5m x 1.5cm white satin ribbon
  • tube of UHU glue , or similar

TO STACK AND INSERT THE FLOWERS

  • 12cm and 15cm polystyrene cake dummies
  • 18-gauge floristry wire , cut into about 20 x 10cm lengths
  • 15-20 white and pale green hydrangea heads (get some smaller, some larger, if you can); your florist can advise
  • 40cm, 30cm and 18cm cake boxes with lids, if you're transporting the cake
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