Wedding Cake Fillings: Optional Or Essential?

Wedding cakes are a time-honoured tradition, but they're not mandatory. Some couples opt for other desserts, such as fruit pies, doughnuts, or cookies. However, if you want to include a wedding cake in your celebration, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll need to choose a vendor whose style, design, and pricing align with your vision and budget. It's also essential to book a tasting to sample different flavours and fillings. While some couples choose a single flavour, others opt for multiple tiers with different combinations to cater to varied tastes. When it comes to cutting the cake, tradition dictates that the bride and groom get the first bite, either feeding it to each other or smashing it into each other's faces! The cake-cutting usually occurs towards the end of dinner, signalling to older guests that they can depart if they wish. Ultimately, the decision to have a filled wedding cake or not is entirely up to the couple's preferences and can be customised to suit their unique style and taste.

Wedding cakes don't have to be filled, but can be if desired

Wedding cakes don't have to be filled, but they can be if desired.

Wedding cakes have evolved from the traditional bride's pie, a savoury pastry filled with oysters, lamb testicles, pine kernels, and cocks' combs, to the sweet, multi-tiered cakes of today. The contemporary wedding cake is often used as a centerpiece at the reception and is not always served to the guests.

Modern wedding cakes can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including frosting, pastry cream, lemon curd, or other cake fillings. However, this is not a requirement, and couples may choose to have an unfilled cake or opt for alternative desserts such as pastries or cookies.

When deciding whether to fill a wedding cake, it is important to consider the potential challenges. For example, a baker on Chef Talk expressed concern about using real mousse in a wedding cake, worrying that it could cause food poisoning if left out for hours in a hot reception hall. They also mentioned the difficulty of combining fresh fruit with mousse due to the risk of the cake becoming soggy.

Ultimately, the decision to fill a wedding cake depends on the couple's preferences and the skills of the baker. Wedding cakes can be customized to reflect the personalities and tastes of the couple, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Fillings can include pastry cream, lemon curd, mousse, or fruit

Wedding cakes are highly customisable, and the fillings are no exception. While some couples opt for traditional fruitcake, others may prefer pastry cream, lemon curd, mousse, or fresh fruit.

Mousse is a popular choice for wedding cakes, but it can be tricky to work with. Some bakers worry about food poisoning if the cake is left out for too long, and the high moisture content of mousse and fresh fruit can make the cake soggy. To avoid these issues, it's important to use the right ingredients and follow food safety guidelines. For example, if using eggs in the mousse, they must be heated to a safe temperature to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

Another consideration is the stability of the filling. Some fillings, like mousse, can break down over time, especially if the cake is not stored properly. To prevent this, bakers can use ingredients like chocolate to stabilise the filling. Additionally, cakes filled with fruit should be filled no more than a day before the event to maintain freshness.

When choosing a filling, it's also important to consider the temperature and duration of the event. If the cake will be left out in a warm reception hall for several hours, it's best to choose a filling that is less perishable, such as pastry cream or lemon curd.

By carefully selecting and preparing the fillings, bakers can create delicious and stable wedding cakes that will be enjoyed by the happy couple and their guests.

Fresh flowers are a popular way to decorate wedding cakes

However, not all flowers are edible or safe to use on cakes. Some flowers are toxic and can be harmful if eaten. It is important to ensure that the flowers used are correctly taped, not sprayed with chemicals or pesticides, and non-toxic. Examples of flowers that can be safely used on cakes include organically grown roses, herbs, bay, some dahlias, some peonies, jasmine, marigolds, pansies, lavender, violas, carnations, cornflowers, and sunflowers.

When using fresh flowers to decorate a wedding cake, it is important to consider the fact that some flowers are prone to wilting, especially if they have weak stems or if the weather is warm. To prevent wilting, flowers should be kept in water until the last minute, and the cake should be stored in a cool place, such as a refrigerator.

There are alternative options to using fresh flowers on a wedding cake, such as silk or fabric flowers, wafer paper flowers, or sugar flowers. Each option has its own pros and cons in terms of cost, environmental impact, availability, and durability.

It's important to consider how long a filled cake can be left out

Wedding cakes are often filled with mousse, cream, custard, or fresh fruit. These types of fillings are perishable and can spoil if left out for too long. The general rule is that filled cakes should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage. However, it is important to consider how long a filled cake can be left out, especially in the case of wedding cakes that are often displayed for several hours during the reception.

The length of time a filled cake can be left out depends on several factors, including the type of filling, the temperature of the room, and the humidity levels. For example, a cake with a mousse or cream-based filling may last for up to 4 hours at room temperature, but this time may be reduced to 1.5 hours if the temperature is very hot. In moderate temperatures, a less perishable filling can last up to 3 hours. It is worth noting that while heat affects the display time, it is also important to consider the stability of the cake structure, as temperature changes can impact the structure more than the ingredients.

To extend the display time of a filled cake, it is recommended to use a filling that is less perishable, such as a cooked mousse with chocolate to stabilize it or a light ganache-type filling. Additionally, air conditioning is always recommended to maintain a stable temperature and reduce the risk of spoilage.

When in doubt, it is better to err on the side of caution and limit the display time of a filled cake to ensure food safety. Leftovers should be refrigerated or frozen to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. Proper storage is crucial, especially if the couple intends to save the top tier of their wedding cake to share on their first anniversary, as is tradition.

The type of filling can affect how long a cake lasts

The filling of a wedding cake can make a significant difference in how long it lasts. Filled cakes, such as those with custard or fruit, typically have a shorter shelf life than unfrosted cakes. They should be refrigerated and will last up to 2 days at room temperature or 3-5 days in the fridge.

The moisture content of the filling plays a crucial role in determining the longevity of the cake. Fresh fruit fillings can shorten a cake's lifespan due to their high moisture content, which can make the cake soggy. Additionally, dairy-based fillings and frostings, such as cream cheese frosting, are more perishable and should be refrigerated promptly. Cakes with this type of frosting typically last 3-4 days when refrigerated.

On the other hand, some fillings can help extend the shelf life of a cake. Ganache, made from chocolate and cream, can preserve a cake for up to a week due to its low moisture content. Alcohol in fruitcakes also acts as a natural preservative, allowing these cakes to last for years when properly stored.

It is important to note that the type of cake also affects its longevity. For example, unfrosted butter and sponge cakes can last up to a week at room temperature if stored correctly, while frosted butter cakes have a shorter shelf life of 2-3 days at room temperature due to the moisture from the frosting.

To maximize the shelf life of a filled wedding cake, it is recommended to store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Proper storage techniques will help maintain the cake's quality, freshness, and safety.

Frequently asked questions