Three Tiers of Trouble: Understanding Tiered Cakes

If you think baking the perfect cake is hard work, consider multiplying your efforts for a three tier recipe.

As a centerpiece for formal occasions, such as weddings or anniversaries, tiered cakes represent the absolute pinnacle of culinary craftsmanship.

You may be a seasoned pastry chef, you may enjoy experimenting with new recipes; but when it comes to three decks of exquisite cake, make no mistake—you’ll need practice, patience and a whole lot of baking bravado.

Taking Things to the Next Level… Literally

Due to their “heightened” appearance, tiered cakes are a common preference for fancy events. The multiple levels of the cake represent separate milestones and a sense of achievement that is only made more meaningful with a beautifully elaborate and relevant theme.

Gorgeous as it is, however, tiered cake can be a monster to create from scratch, and even more of a beast to deliver.

Over the years, you may have had your fair share of cake—some good, some bad, and some downright ugly.

When it comes to food, in general, appearances can be misleading. In the case of tiered cakes, however, disappointing flavor can be tantamount to wedding sacrilege. (Okay, not really—but it’skind of ominous to have a wedding cake that embodies deception, no?)

Let’s take a quick look at how structure plays a vital role in avoiding some serious cake-conundrums.

Let’s Get it On (top of the cake)…

Be it big or small, a tiered cake relies on structural detail to stand tall and stay in position for hours on end. To that end, not only do professional pastry chefs possess exceptional knowledge of baking and decoration, they also understand the technicalities of weight, thickness, structure and balance.

Generally, each layer of a three-tiered cake is stacked on top of each other with the help of a masonite board, cake drum, cardboard circles and dowel rods.

This helps to secure the multiple layers of cake, immobilizing it to remain perfectly straight for long hours.

Devil in the Details

When it comes to cake, you have a wide variety of options to choose from. But to find a magnificent three-tiered work of art that tastes as good as it looks—that’s a tall> order (in more ways than one).

If you’re planning a special event, like a wedding or a formal party, don’t settle for mediocrity when you can have the best.

Divine Specialties is a wholesale bakeshop in Southern California.

We distribute and import over 5,000 specialty items that include tiered cakes in a range of fantastic flavors that’ll keep you saying, “I do!”

With 75 years of experience in gourmet baking, we can safely say, we know our cakes! Contact us for bookings, and explore the divine wonderland of delectable dessert!