Cake Questions – The Ocelots' Den

Is Bigger Better? Sharing the Secrets of Tall Cakes

By Julia on 7 July, 2021

IMHO, Tall cakes are epic! If I need to make a small cake or any cake for personal events, I make tall cakes. (I may also overbake for my personal events). This is when I experiment the most and test out new techniques and ideas. I don’t want any cake-tastropes for my clients.

What is a Tall Cake?

A tall cake is simply what it seems. A TALL cake! Depending on the size of the cake, the height may look more proportional or taller. For my menu purposes, my cakes have a simplified definition.

My Standard cakes are all 2-layers. And my Tall Cakes are 4-Layers. All of my cake layers are baked to the same dimensions. I am more than happy to create a custom number of layers. (My pricing menu has pricing for 2-layer, 3-layer, and 4-layer cakes). If you want 5+ layers I can certainly accommodate!

No More Leaning Towers!

I’m going to get on my soapbox again and emphasize the importance of structure in tall cakes! Tall cakes are essentially a more modern version of a tiered cake, but they have the same diameter. The structural integrity can be compromised from the weight of the cakes. This can lead to leaning, collapsing, or squished fillings. (Which is NOT ideal). To prevent this, I insert dowels, or straws, and depending on the size of the cake, I may include a cake board.

Any way you stack it, you can’t go wrong with cake! I like the drama of the added elevation, but maybe you’re a no-drama mama. (And that’s great too!)

Mix ‘n’ Match

I don’t have the prices listed on my menu (because there are nearly infinite possibilities for options), but you can mix standard cakes with tall cakes for a modern surprise!

Call me up, if you want a Mix ‘N’ Match cake! (By call me, I definitely mean text or email me). I am obsessed, but haven’t had a reason to bake one yet!!

Baked Goods | Cake | Wedding | Weddings

Let Them Eat Cake! Old and New Traditions

By Julia on 30 June, 2021

I am enjoying these weekly features SO much.

When I started researching the tradition of exchanging cake after it is cut, I thought it would be a fun little fluffy piece of history.

The more I read about it, the more emotion I began to feel. I mention this mostly to express that my stance is obviously skewed towards skipping the cake smash. It goes against my personal values. The fear, the uncertainty, the lack of trust that can be displayed (if you express your desire and then it isn’t honored). Revenge, power, pride, force, and the potential for resentment.

This is clearly my stance. I do believe cake smashes can be done lovingly and playfully. But it has to be done with respect. If one of you doesn’t want to do it, this isn’t something to compromise on, don’t do it.

If you are wild, silly, playful, and aren’t worried about messing up your makeup (or your partner’s makeup) or getting a cake with a filling tuning your clothes, then HAVE a blast! Squish that cake in their face!

If you are like me, you will leave the cake smashes to the adorable babies. If you aren’t, that’s great, just make sure to be honoring the spirit of your partner. Don’t have your laugh at the expense of your partner, especially so publically on your beautiful day.

In all of the cake topics I’ve researched and planned to highlight, this is what I feel is the most controversial. I am incredibly supportive of couples following their bliss and seeking their joy, but I couldn’t write this up in an unbiased way.

You are spending money on makeup, dresses, tuxes/ suits, and the delicious cake. Enjoy the cake! Avoid the mess of your makeup, staining clothes, and savor those sweet bites with your honey.

Recommendations

Communication is the most important thing. (And my number ONE marriage tip). Talk it through. Share openly.

Talk about each of your visions about the cake cutting. It may feel silly, but this is your life partner. It isn’t silly. Talk through how you plan to cut the cake. (Ask your baker about recommendations for cutting that first slice. There may be structure inside of the cake that you need to be aware of). Then talk about how you plan to feed each other the cake (or if you want to particiapte in that tradition). Will you use a fork, will you use your fingers, will you feed one at a time, will you feed at the same time?

I’m a planner by nature. So my suggestions above may seem like overkill. Maybe you like things more loosey goosey and that’s great too.

Baked Goods | Cake | Wedding | Weddings

Stack ’em Up: Elevate Your Celebration with Tiered Cakes

By Julia on 23 June, 2021

I’m over the moon with excitement for today’s featured wedding question. “What is the difference between tiers and layers?” To put it simply a cake is made of layers. Tiers are the individual cakes stacked!

I relish ANY opportunity to make a tiered cake. I have even made them for myself for my birthday JUST BECAUSE I CAN! 😹

Stay tuned on my IG. Eventually, I will find and show some photos of my first ever tiered cakes. Let’s just say, I’ve come a long, LONG way.

The MOST important aspect of stacking a tiered cake is the structure in the cake. Without a structure, the decadent and often heavy cake will sink and tilt and RUIN the visual experience of your cake. Looking at the bright side, the cake will still taste great!

Julia’s Baking Journey Detour

This was the foundation of my baking story. All I wanted was a cake that tasted GOOD. In my experience, prior to starting my cake decorating journey, all those fussy cakes with buttercream flowers, carved shapes, or fondant coverings were not filled with delicious cake. I felt like they were a waste of calories. 🙀 I would have rather eaten boxed cakes. (Another controversial opinion. I like the taste of MANY box cakes). I still feel this way about a lot of cakes (I’m looking at you, generic grocery store cake).

Back to the Structure of Tiered Cakes

Structure is usually made out of wooden dowels, smoothie straws or even metal rods and cake boards (made of cardboard, acrylic, plastic, or metal). I use smoothie straws and cardboard most often. The smoothie straws are cost effective, but I’m actively seeking other alternatives before I resupply. The straws (rods or dowels) create a base for the cake boards to rest without squishing the cake below.

I always use at least 3 straws in each tier. Think of it like a table. A table with two legs cannot stand on its own. If you tilt or bump it may shift or fall. I often use 4 for the size cakes I bake. (The largest base I make is 12″). I can bake up to 14″ cakes, but I haven’t had any requests thus far.

Final Thoughts

The fun of tiered cakes is they have limitless options. You can mix and match the number of layers and shapes. I am waiting on pins and needles to make a cake with varied cake layers. Hoping I’ll find an excuse to do one this year! (I’d do it for my birthday this year, but I am going to work on perfecting Macaron making!!!!)

Do you have any additional Cake Tier Questions? Please share them with me.

Baked Goods | Cake | Wedding | Weddings

Finding the Finishing Touch to Your Cake!

By Julia on 26 May, 2021

You’ve selected your cake flavor, frosting type, and you probably have some ideas about what style cake you want. The final touch to any cake is a cake topper. Do you search for the perfect topper or leave your cake perfect as is?

There are a few different tellings of the history of wedding cake toppers. Some tales are fanciful, but no matter how you slice it, cute little couple cake toppers became very popular starting around the 1950s as a representation of togetherness. Often the very cookie-cutter-looking bride and groom were standing side by side, or holding hands.

Then

One of the major problems with these cute little couples, until more recently, is the types of couples represented were very limited. As a 2011 bride, I even struggled. I initially searched for a blonde bride, with a simple dress that looked similar to me and a groom who also had blonde (or light brown) hair, both of them with blue eyes. (I thought that would be VERY simple). Apparently, it was too complicated and then I thought of all the other brides and grooms that would struggle far more than I did. I knew I was being too picky, but I just knew what I wanted.

It was at this point that I should just shift my focus. I searched all over Etsy and other places and thought about getting a cute, custom bride and groom topper. A boy soldier in his dress greens, and a very simple bride… But then the cost was FAR too much for my budget at that point in time. (I just couldn’t rationalize spending more on cake toppers than I spent on my wedding dress). The artists making these definitely deserved the prices they were charging, but I wasn’t their ideal client then. Instead, I decided to make my own. Something completely unique.

Since my husband and I’s nickname for each other is “Ocelot” I decided to make my own Ocelot Cake toppers wearing our wedding outfits. I sculpted them as I envisioned, packaged them to take as one of my carry-on bags (just in their own little box). Unfortunately, the customs department at the airport in the US decided to vigorously shake my box after it was screened. My heart sank and I knew all my work was for not.

I didn’t have much time to find a replacement and options were VERY limited at my hometown party store. With a German Chocolate Cake as the small top tier of my cupcake tower, I really wanted a cake topper to make it seem more like a wedding cake. I ended up with some safari animals, which I figured was close enough to rainforest animals, plus elephants are significant in my family. I think I also found a silver “H” for our last name…. It was a mess.

Now

There are unlimited options for cake toppers. Finding same-gender couples and interracial couples is less work. Couples are embracing hobbies, pets, uniforms, and characters to have wildly fun cakes! Monograms, phrases, banners, buntings, and other simple adornments are also much more prevalent.

Many times, couples aren’t using cake toppers, or they are using their florals or abstract designs. Minimalism is extremely popular. (Also, budget brides, minimalism is also a great way to be elegant, but keep your costs down!)

Where

Search Pinterest and Etsy for cake topper inspiration. If you have a truly unique idea for a cake topper, I’m sure there is an Etsy artist that can fulfill your vision. Additionally, I can make toppers out of Sugar Paste, Fondant, Candy Clay, or I can 3D print something as well. I am happy to use any topper you have as well. Email me, or use my order form to get started!

Trends to Avoid

One trend that I am seeing less of, and hope will be abolished, is the bride topper dragging the groom. (Or other variations on that theme). I love infusing humor and the couple’s personalities into baking, but making fun of someone’s fear of commitment or other shaming-type behaviors doesn’t seem to be the best way to showcase your love for your nearest and dearest to see. (If you and your spouse-to-be love these types of toppers, then go for it. It’s just a bit cringy for me, and your wedding day is about YOU).

Baked Goods | Cake | Wedding | Weddings

Any Way You Slice It: Fascinating Cake Cutting Traditions

By Julia on 28 April, 2021

The cake is one of the most iconic parts of the wedding reception. The newly weds make their first entrance as a married couple. The first dance, dancing with parents, bouquet toss, garter toss, and cake cutting are some of the most key elements of the modern wedding reception.

When a couple cuts their wedding cake, it is a symbol of the first thing they do as a married couple. In my opinion, this alleviates a lot of the pressure. (What’s the first thing you did as a couple?) There’s no awkward pause. You just know that it’s cutting the cake.

How to cut the cake

A general theme I fully believe in, is do whatever feels right between you and your partner. Everything doesn’t have to be the conventional, traditional, or historical approach. However, sometimes this knowledge can make things sweeter.

It is a common practice for the groom to place his hand over the bride’s when cutting the cake. This symbolizes his promise to support her and her promise to take care of him and their family.

Where to cut the cake

Couples are often encouraged to cut from the bottom tier of the cake. This is to symbolize the longevity and continuity in their marriage. (I see many couples cut the top tier. It is often simpler, and a more logical choice for serving.

Cake Cutting No Nos!

Caution, DON’T cut your top tier if you are planning on saving it for your first anniversary. This isn’t as common of a practice, but, don’t cut the cake you intend on saving.

Don’t try to slice through the entire cake!!! I cannot repeat this enough. There are cake boards and possibly other structures within the cake so it doesn’t collapse. (You would be surprised how heavy most cakes are). As you are cutting, if you feel resistance, stop. If this happens just as you begin to slice, you may have inadvertently attempted to slice where there is a dowel supporting the tier above.

Anyway you slice it!

The couple will cut a slice of the cake. (Posing for photos along the way). This is where most modern cake cutting ends (for the couple). They feed each other some cake, and often a caterer or a loving family member will come to slice the remainder of the cake.

Some older traditions include the couple cutting and serving the cake to their guests, but this has mostly gone out of fashion as weddings have many more guests.

When to cut the cake

You can schedule it whenever you think is best. My suggestion is first thing. Then it can continue to be sliced while your guests are having their meal. (And it truly is your first activity as a married couple).

This also frees up guests to leave when they are ready. People generally stay through the cake cutting, but your grandparents may be accustomed to earlier bed times. Additionally, it means, once your band (or DJ) starts playing, the party portion of the evening doesn’t have to stop to cut the cake. (Win! Win!)

Serving Size Slices

Paralysis often sets in when it comes to cutting the cake into equal slices. Larger cakes (especially over 6″ diameter) can be cut into squares instead of slicing the cake like a pie. A slice of wedding cake is 1W” x 2D” x 4H” (Width, Depth, Height).

If you would like a cake cutting guide, I am happy to supply options along with your cake order!