Cake Decoration Glossary

 
 

Cake Decoration supplies can be bought for the top of your cake from a cake decorating supplier, or your florist if you like to have fresh flowers on your cake.

Your wedding cake can be covered and decorated in various ways.

Listed below are some of the more common terms used that you will come across when looking for your wedding cake.

Cake Decoration Terms

American Stack Wedding Cakes American Stack

Each tier of the cake sits directly on top of the one below with no pillars in between.
Wedding Cake Glossary Basket Weave Cake
image by cbcastro
Basket Weave

A piping technique that looks like the interwoven reeds of a wicker basket, this is best achieved by using butter cream and royal icing.
Wedding Cake Glossary Buttercream
image by tn something special
Buttercream

Is used to fill and ice cakes. It is a mixture of butter and icing sugar.
Wedding Cake Glossary Cake Tower
image by icing on the cake
Cake Tower

A multilevel, multiarmed cake stand which is used to display the cakes individually.
Wedding Cake Glossary Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate Ganache

Is a mixture of boiled cream and coverture chocolate (white, milk or dark can be used). It is smoothed over the cake with a palette knife and can also be used as a filling.
Wedding Cake Glossary Columns
image by themacgirl
Columns

Also known as pillars, these are used in most traditional wedding cakes. They are tubes which are placed between each layer to achieve an open look between each tier and are a part of the overall design of the cake.
Wedding Cake Glossary Cornelli Cake Decoration Cornelli Cake Decoration

An intricate piping technique that gives a lovely lace like look.
Wedding Cake Glossary Croquembouche/Profiterole Tower
image by aussie gold
Croquembouche

A French dessert made from profiteroles filled with cream, covered in rich toffee or chocolate sauce and spun sugar.
Wedding Cake Glossary Cup Cake Wedding Cakes Cup Cake Wedding Cakes

Individual fairy cakes, one for every guest.
Wedding Cake Glossary Dacquoise
image by j terell photographer
Dacquoise

A round dessert made up of layers of meringue mixed with ground toasted nuts, and layers of whipped cream mixed with soft fruit.
Wedding Cake Glossary Dotted Swiss Dotted Swiss

A piping technique which tiny raised dots are arranged in patterns on the cake to resemble dotted-Swiss fabric.
Wedding Cake Glossary Piping Cake Decorations Dragees

Sugar coated almonds that come in a variety of colors including gold and silver. Also known as Jordan almonds.
Wedding Cake Glossary Filling
image by haraldwalker
Filling

A fruit or cream based paste spread between layers within tiers of a cake.
Wedding Cake Glossary Piping Cake Decorations Fondant Cake Decoration

A soft rolled icing that is used to give a formal finish to cakes. It is also used for sugar flowers and modeling work, and can be colored to match any theme.
Wedding Cake Glossary Fresh Flowers and Fruit Decorations Fresh Flowers and Fruit

Can be arranged on the cake on the day of the wedding.
Wedding Cake Glossary Genoise sponge cake
image by foonus
Genoise

A classic European sponge cake. It is a tender dry cake which is usually moisten with sugar syrup.
Wedding Cake Glossary Grooms Cake
image by she takes the cake
Grooms Cake

The use of a Grooms Cake is an old custom that is still observed at some weddings. It is a separate cake, traditionally a fruit cake but can be a sponge of any flavor and shape and can be based upon the groom’s hobbies, sport or any other interest he may have.
Wedding Cake Glossary Gum Paste
image by shovelmonkey1
Gum Paste

This is a mixture of sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin. It is edible and is used to make realistic decorations, such as fruits, flowers and shells. It can also be formed into loops and bows. It is also known as sugar dough.
  Lattice work

Is a piping detail that is made up of crossed strips arranged in a diagonal pattern with open spaces.
Wedding Cake Glossary Marzipan Fruit
image by cooldudeandy01
Marzipan

A paste made from ground almonds, corn syrup and sugar. It can be used to make shapes of fruit or other desired objects to decorate the cake. It is also used as a layer between a fruit cake and fondant icing.
Wedding Cake Glossary Meringue Cupcakes
image by paula bray
Meringue

A mixture of egg white and sugar and air that is whisked and dried slowly in the oven. Meringue can be shaped before it is baked.
Wedding Cake Glossary Meringue butter cream
image by jenncharina
Meringue Butter cream

Butter is added to egg whites that have been whipped with sugar over heat; this gives a glossy smooth creamy covering.
Wedding Cake Glossary Chocolate Rose
image by lynne
Modeling Chocolate

A mixture of chocolate and corn syrup that is firm and pliable. It can be used in the same way as gum paste.
Wedding Cake Glossary Piping Cake Decorations Piping Cake Decoration

Made from icing sugar or butter cream in a piping consistency to form dots, snail trail, shells, rope border, reverse shells, rosebuds and half rose, zigzags, ruffle, lily of the valley, basket weave.
Wedding Cake Glossary Pulled Sugar
image by kristenjolanda
Pulled Sugar

A technique in which boiled sugar is manipulated and pulled to produce flowers and bows.
Wedding Cake Glossary Royal Icing Decorations Royal Icing

Made with pure icing sugar and egg white it is used for detailed piping work on cakes. It can be color matched to your theme. It is also used to make piped flowers and shapes.
Wedding Cake Glossary Royal Icing Decorations Sugar Flowers

Are handmade from gum paste, these flowers are delicate. They must be stored in an airtight container.
Wedding Cake Glossary Spun sugar
image by ginger jam
Spun Sugar Cake Decoration

A web of fine, long strands of crystallized sugar.
Wedding Cake Glossary Torte
image by ulterior epicure
Torte
Has two meanings:

A dense cake that does not use leavening agents like baking powder or baking soda.

A cake cut into layers and sandwiched back together with a filling.
Wedding Cake Glossary Whipped Cream
image by vita arina
Whipped Cream

Heavy cream beaten until soft and foamy. It is unstable and not recommended in hot weather for outdoor weddings.

 


rose petals freeze dried rose petals
 
 

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