While the idea of using a cake board to support a delicious cake seems pretty straightforward, there are actually many details and definitions that need to be understood to select the best cake board for your needs. Here we endeavor to outline exactly what a cake board is, and any other information you would need to know, so you can find the perfect product to support your desserts.
A cake board is a thick piece of material designed to support cakes or even cupcakes to improve your presentation and make transportation easier. It is common to use the term "cake board" to refer to all sizes, shapes, and materials of boards that serve this purpose, but the below terms are used to more specifically refer to groupings of these items.
Cake Circles: A cake circle is a round cake board that is typically thin in construction, about 1/8”.
Cake Drums: Drums refer to thicker cake boards, either 1/4" or 1/2", since they must have a double wall corrugated construction. These can also be used in between tiers of a cake for extra support.
Cake Pads: Similar to cake circles, cake pads are an economical choice designed to hold rectangular sheet cakes. These pads are also thin with a single wall corrugated construction.
Dessert Boards: These are unique boards that have a specific function in mind. Most of them are small in size so they can hold a single cupcake or dessert.
While we are mostly concerned with disposable cake boards in this guide, it is still important to know what materials make up both disposable and reusable cake boards.
Corrugated Cardboard: The majority of all disposable cake boards are made of corrugated cardboard. This material consists of layers of fluted paper pressed between two outer layers, with the outer layers providing rigidity and the fluted paper providing insulation and thickness.
Laminated Chipboard: Chipboard is made of pressed paperboard, so it is lightweight while remaining fairly sturdy. It has a laminated finish to prevent grease from seeping into the material. This material is only strong enough to support smaller desserts.
Melamine-Coated Wood: These cake boards are made with medium density fiberboard (MDF) that is coated with melamine. It is sturdy and break-resistant, and the exterior also acts a sealant to resist grease. The board's melamine coating makes it easy to clean and it maintains a polished appearance through multiple uses.
Foam: Cake boards can also be made of dense foam, which is naturally resistant to grease. The foam material would still need to be covered, and you should be careful not to cut into the foam if you intend to cut your cake on the board.
Masonite: Made of medium-density fibreboard (MDF), this material is a reusable option for your cakes. It needs to be covered in foil, wrap, or fondant before each use to protect against grease. Due to this inconvenience, these boards are often only used between cake tiers to provide structural support.
All corrugated cardboard cake boards also have an additional style to consider as it affects not only the appearance, but the use of the board as well. Check out these styles when considering using a corrugated cardboard cake board.
These are some common terms you will come across while browsing cake boards. Your board may have none, one, or most of these features - it's completely up to you based on what is important for your application.
Be sure to carefully consider what color you need! Whether you prefer your board to match or contrast the color of your cakes, you have to be mindful that the board is just the right color.
Make sure to get everything you need to go along with your cake board!
When dealing with uncoated cake boards, you may want to cover your board in fondant to add a specific color or texture that you simply can't get from foil or laminated boards. Follow these simple steps to add a colorful addition to the base of your delicious cakes.
Now you are ready to display your beautiful cake on an equally attractive cake board!