The Moroccan Wedding Cake: A Sweet Recipe Guide

Moroccan weddings are a vibrant, multi-day celebration, steeped in cultural and spiritual traditions. The wedding cake is a key part of the ceremony, signalling the end of festivities. There are many different types of Moroccan cakes, including the popular Meskouta, a moist, citrusy, sponge cake. This cake is traditionally flavoured with oranges, but can also be made with lemons or vanilla. The cake is often decorated with intricate patterns and details that define the region.

Ingredients and measurements

A Moroccan wedding cake is often an orange cake with cardamom. It is intricately designed with patterns and details that define the region.

• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3-4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 to 2 oranges, zested
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Traditionally, Moroccans measure their ingredients using bowls and Moroccan tea glasses. Here is the ingredient list using these traditional measurements:

• 1 tea glass of freshly squeezed orange juice
• Zest of 1 or 2 oranges
• 1 level soup bowl of sugar
• 1 tea glass of vegetable oil
• 1 heaping soup bowl of flour
• 2 sachets of baking powder (equivalent to 4 teaspoons; can use 3 teaspoons instead)
• 1 sachet vanilla sugar (equivalent to 1 teaspoon liquid flavouring or extract)

Baking instructions

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (from 1 or 2 oranges)
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350° F (180° C). Grease and flour a bundt or tube cake pan. Wash and zest the oranges, then juice them.
• Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is pale and thick. Gradually add the oil, continuing to beat until well combined.
• In a separate, medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add this to the egg and sugar mixture, stirring lightly to combine.
• Pour in the orange juice and beat until the batter is smooth. Mix in the vanilla and orange zest.
• Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan. Bake in the oven for approximately 40 minutes, or until the sides of the cake pull away from the pan and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out dry.
• Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool for 7 to 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove the cake from the pan and place it on a rack to finish cooling.
• Serve the cake dusted with confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Tips:

• The average Moroccan tea glass holds about 6 to 8 ounces of liquid (or 1/3 to 1/2 cup).
• One very large orange (or two medium oranges) should yield the required amount of orange juice.
• Be sure to zest the oranges before juicing them.
• For best results, wash the oranges first and use a citrus grater, or Microplane, for the finest zest. A fine cheese grater is a good substitute for a citrus zester.

Cake decoration

The decoration of a Moroccan wedding cake is a very important aspect of the cake-making process and can be done in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas and instructions for decorating a Moroccan wedding cake:

Colours and Details

Moroccan lanterns can be a great source of inspiration for the colours and details of the cake. The intricate details and vibrant colours of Moroccan lanterns, such as pink, red, and gold, can be incorporated into the cake's design. The use of gold leaf and gold lustre can add a touch of opulence to the cake, while also paying homage to the rich culture and traditions of Morocco.

Appliqué Shapes

Creating appliqué shapes is a unique way to decorate a Moroccan wedding cake. By hand-cutting or using cookie cutters to create various shapes, such as olives and lemons, you can add dimension and interest to the cake. These shapes can be gilded with gold leaf or painted with gold lustre to match the overall theme. The placement of these shapes can be tailored to your preference, but tapering them towards the bottom of the cake can create a pleasing visual effect.

Flowers

Flowers, such as roses, are a perfect addition to a Moroccan wedding cake. The Damask Rose, or Rosa Damascena, is a native flower in Morocco and can be incorporated as sugar flowers or fresh flowers on the cake. Creating intricate sugar flowers can be time-consuming but adds a delicate and elegant touch to the overall design. Fresh flowers can also be used as a natural and fragrant decoration, adding a whimsical element to the cake.

Tiers and Pleats

A Moroccan wedding cake is often designed with multiple tiers, usually three or more. This allows for a sense of height and grandeur. Pleating on the top tier can be a challenging but rewarding technique, adding texture and visual interest. By applying panels of pleats in opposite directions, you can create a triangular pattern that draws the eye upwards. Piping techniques can also be used to enhance the design, such as adding pearls or scallop piping along the seams.

Traditional Patterns and Symbols

Incorporating traditional Moroccan patterns and symbols into the cake's design is a must. Edible icing sheets or stencils with Moroccan tile patterns can be used to create intricate designs on the cake's surface. Moroccan tiles are known for their beautiful and intricate patterns, which can be replicated on the cake using icing or fondant. Additionally, symbols such as the hand of Fatima, which is believed to offer protection and ward off evil spirits, can be included as a subtle or prominent design element.

Toppers and Final Touches

The final touches and cake toppers can truly bring the Moroccan theme together. A "Midas" or a "Neggafa" (bride's maid) topper can be a unique addition, representing the cultural significance of the wedding. Fresh or sugar-crafted fruits, such as olives and lemons, can be placed on the cake as a nod to Moroccan cuisine and culture. Additionally, dusting the cake with confectioner's sugar or gold lustre can add a touch of elegance and festivity.

Wedding traditions

Moroccan weddings are elaborate, multi-day celebrations that include time-honoured traditions meant to bless the newlywed couple with a fresh and prosperous start in their new life together. The celebrations are lengthy and well-attended, as the culture places a great emphasis on hosting and welcoming. The bride and groom will change into multiple outfits over the course of the festivities, with the bride's dresses often representing the rich diversity of Moroccan folklore and culture.

Pre-Wedding Traditions

In the days leading up to the wedding, the happy couple and their families will partake in pre-wedding ceremonies such as a hammam and Henna parties. The hammam is a purification spa ritual that takes place in a public steam bath, where the bride is treated like royalty by the female attendees. The women collect warm water, wash the bride's hair with "Ghassoul" (a special clay mixed with herbs), scrub, massage, and perfume her body with lotions. They sing throughout the process, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

The Henna Party is a gathering for the couple and their chosen guests, usually held during the week before the wedding. The bride wears a labssa fascia, an intricate and heavy green gown, and the groom wears a djellabah, a long dress. They are lifted on amarias (opulent tented platforms carried by four to six men) and brought to sit on a decorated sofa to greet their guests. The henna is presented in a beautiful bowl and scooped into the hands of the bride and groom as a symbol of fertility, beauty, and optimism, as well as a divine blessing and a celebration. It is also meant to bring good luck, and all the guests are offered henna as well to bring them good fortune.

On the day of the wedding, the couple signs their marriage contract in front of their families and an Adoul, who serves as a justice of the peace. This marks the start of their union and is legally binding. After the signing, they share a meal with their closest friends and family, dining on items like mint tea and pastries.

The wedding ceremony itself is a grand affair. The bride makes her entrance into the wedding hall sitting in an "Amaria", an elegant roofed platform in gold or silver, carried on the shoulders of selected wedding participants. This ritual symbolises that the bride is honoured, valued, and considered the queen of the ceremony. After the bride gets out of the "Amaria", she sits next to the groom on a beautifully decorated couch, and guests come to take pictures of the happy couple.

The bride will change into multiple outfits throughout the festivities, with each dress change carrying cultural and geographical significance. On her wedding day, she may wear a traditional white takchita, symbolising purity, a sahraouia (a dress wrapped around the body as a tribute to the Moroccan Sahara region), and a mejdoub (a gold and embroidered caftan). The groom will also change outfits once or twice, wearing traditional outfits like the "Jellaba" or "Jabadur", as well as a formal suit.

During the wedding reception, guests are treated to delicious traditional Moroccan food and music. The main band typically plays chaabi music (Moroccan pop), while local bands play more traditional music like Andalusi during dinner. DJs are often brought in for the extended dancing and after-party. When the married couple enters the venue, their change in marital status is recognised, and the guests salute them with a special blessing: "Peace be Upon the Prophet".

Post-Wedding Traditions

The wedding celebration traditionally concludes with the cutting and sharing of the wedding cake, after which the couple departs, leading a parade down the streets to the groom's house. They are greeted again with milk and dates, symbolising a wish for a "sweet and peaceful life".

Cake serving

A Moroccan wedding cake is usually served at the end of the wedding celebration, after which the couple departs for their marriage journey. The cake is shared with all the guests, with the bride and groom taking their final dance before eating the cake and leaving.

The cake is often intricately designed with patterns and details that define the region. It is also customary for the bride to wear a white wedding dress or a white takshita, while the groom wears a formal suit for the cake-cutting ceremony.

The Moroccan wedding cake is typically an orange cake with cardamom, a variation of the popular Moroccan cake called Meskouta. This cake is a moist, sweet cake that can be served without icing. It is flavoured with freshly squeezed orange juice and zest, and can be decorated with a dusting of powdered sugar or a simple icing. Other toppings could include orange jam and coconut icing, or garnishes of crushed nuts.

The cake is usually served in slices, and it is recommended to serve it within a few days of baking to ensure freshness.

Frequently asked questions