Hello All,

My church is doing their annual Christmas Dessert Theater and they are interested in possibly having me (and some helpers) make the cake for the event. I would need to make cake that would serve 200 people per night, so that would be 300-400 slices I guess.

My question is this: What is a fancy enough cake for an event like this? In the past, they have offered three desserts....Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Filling (round cake - 3 layers), Red Velvet with Cream Cheese Filling (round with 3 layers), and a cheesecake.

I am concerned about giving them samples that are not up to par, but also being able to make enough cake for all those people 3 days in a row. And, they don't want the cake to be frozen. They have previously used caterers to do the job, but have had issues with them in the past.

I am a simple cake decorator who just plain loves the decorating part of this hobby. I do not have my own business, but could use the industrial ovens in the church kitchen.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

The cake will most likely be taken in the back, sliced, and plated. The only people who will see it in all its glory are those who are there first. Fancy, in this case, is going to have to be in the flavors, in my opinion.

Any cake can appear fancy with a swirl of buttercream. I suggest you use a recipe you already make and like. It would no doubt be very good. For the dessert theater, bake a sheet cake if you feel comfortable making something that large, or several 10 inch cakes. Does the church kitchen have baking pans for your use?