cutting the wedding cake

    wedding cake
What's a wedding reception without something sweet? While some brides decide on having the wedding cake as the dessert, others opt for a bountiful dessert table. Be careful not to serve desserts that tend to go heavy on cream, chocolate or sugar. You wouldn't want the desserts to overshadow your wedding cake.

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Will our wedding cake be enough to satisfy our guests' sweet tooth?

For the most part, you know what your guests like or dislike. Try to gauge how many sweet lovers are attending your wedding. If your wedding cake can only accommodate one slice per person, you might consider another dessert just in case guests get a sweet attack.
 

  • Fresh berries and cream: Expecting guests who prefer treats that are naturally sweet? Berries in season topped with light, fresh cream is guaranteed to hit the spot.
  • Single-serve fruit tarts and cheesecake bites: Bite-size treats are perfect for guests in search for something sweet to nibble on.
  • Strawberries dipped in chocolate: This treat partnered with champagne makes a perfect combination.
  • Caramel flan: A combination of something sweet yet light on the palate will make guests come back for more.
  • Flavored coffee with liqueur: Hazelnut or Belgian chocolate coffee with a drop or two of Kahlua goes well with any wedding cake.
  • Fresh fruit platter: A back-to-basics dessert, young and old would appreciate something to munch on during dance breaks.
  • Chocolate mousse: This delectable and irresistible dessert will complete the dessert table.
  • Sorbet or gelato: A scoop of sorbet or gelato to eat alongside the wedding cake is perfect for a summer wedding.
  • Chocolate truffles: Some have chocolate treats as wedding favors that can also serve as a dessert selection.
  • Cookies filled with seasonal fruits: Cookies filled with figs, apricots or some exotic fruit.

     
Is it proper to ask a family member to make his or her special dessert?

 

Of course it is. Remember that your wedding is a family event. Family members would most certainly enjoy showing off traditional desserts, such as baklava or tiramisu. Homemade desserts are perfect for small weddings.

 

Design the Cake of Your Dreams

 

Designing your wedding cake is a delicious tradition. Choosing the right cake is one of the most creative tasks you'll undertake for your wedding. You need to start planning your cake about six months before your ceremony to make sure you can have your cake and eat it too!


What does an average wedding cake cost?

Bakers usually charge by the slice, which can cost anywhere from $2 to $20 each. Determine what elements you want and see if the total cost fits within your budget. Don't forget to ask about serving fees!
 
Where can I find great cake ideas?

Are you envisioning a heart-shaped confection or a 4-tier angel food cake fountain? Think of ways to match your cake with the style or theme of your wedding. Your cake will be the perfect complement piece to your ceremony, so try to match or subtly contrast your colors or theme.

     

  • Surf for cake ideas on the Internet. Everyone from bakers to cake enthusiasts are ready and waiting to share their tips, recipes and ideas with you!

     

     

  • Leaf through recipes at your local bookstore. Any bookstore will have cookbooks with several different recipes. Put aside an hour or two (maybe during your lunch break) to rifle through recipes.

     

     

  • Use your friends and family as a resource. Unlike clothes, cake recipes never go out of style. Search your mother's recipes, ask friends for favorites and experiment on your own.

     
 
What cake decisions do I need to make?

Whether you make your own cake or buy it you have to make some basic decisions.

 

  • Determine the style:

     

       

    • Remember your personal style. The cake should follow the style of your wedding. You could choose to match your color, theme or mood.

       

       

    • Choose between stacked or separated cakes. Stacked cakes will look more stately and traditional. Separated cakes often are placed at different heights and can create a whimsical or playful feeling, especially if accompanied by flowers.

       

       

    • Choose a unique shape. Bakers can do just about any shape, including domed, round and square. Ask your baker what he can do - the sky's the limit on this one!

       

    Decide which flavor cake to use:

     

       

    • White cake: Made with pure vanilla and whipped egg whites for extra moistness

    • Carrot cake: Made with fresh carrots, pineapple, and nuts and raisins

    • Lemon cake: Made with fresh lemon zest and juice

    • Chocolate cake: Made with any kind of chocolate and can be very moist

    • Orange sponge cake: Made with fresh orange zest and juice.

     

  • Don't forget to choose a filler:

     

       

    • Fresh seasonal fruits
    • Fruit purees, preserves, and custards
    • Mousses
    • Chocolate Ganache
    • Flavored buttercream icing

       

     

  • Remember the icing on the cake:

     

       

    • Icing: Butter cream is the most popular, but you also can choose fondant and marzipan.

    • Flowers: You can use fresh, silk or icing flowers.

    • Cake topper: Use a figurine or other decorative item.

    • Lace: Delicate lace can create a light and airy feel.

    • Fruit: Heaping fruit can create a seasonal, though more informal, feeling.

       

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    How do I pick the groom's cake?

    This is the dessert that the newlywed couple slices and offers to guests to take home. Often the groom's cake is decorated with a theme, which can be anything he wants. A groom's cake is usually darker and richer than the primary cake. Popular choices are fruitcake or chocolate cake. Though groom's cakes offer rich alternatives to guests who don't like traditional white wedding cakes, this custom is often cut out to save on costs.

    Don't forget to freeze the top layer of your wedding cake for your first anniversary. Once you've completed all the work, your wedding cake will be one of the crowning glories of your reception!

     

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