
Keeping a wedding cake cool in hot weather can be a challenge, but there are several ways to prevent a meltdown. From the type of tent you choose to the colour scheme and the timing of the cake's arrival, there are many factors to consider when it comes to keeping your cake cool.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Tent colour | White tents keep cakes cool, clear-top tents create a greenhouse effect |
Filling and frosting | Traditional American Buttercream melts at 90-95 F, vegetable shortening has a higher melting point at 115 F |
Timing | Minimise the time the cake spends in the heat by decorating it as close to the event as possible and transporting it to the venue as close to serving time as possible |
Sunlight | Place the cake in a shaded area, use umbrellas or canopies to create shade, avoid placing the cake near windows or areas with direct sunlight |
Transportation | Use a car window shade for un-tinted windows to block out the sun's heat |
Stacking techniques | Proper stacking techniques are essential to keep the cake stable in warm weather |
Cake colour | An all-white, ivory, or other pale neutral colour scheme is recommended for outdoor events when the heat and humidity may be a concern |
Cake covering | Fondant will hold up longer than buttercream |
What You'll Learn
Use a white tent to keep the cake cool
If you're having a tented wedding, a white tent can be a great way to keep your cake cool. White tents are better than clear top tents, which create a greenhouse effect and will melt your cake faster.
To make the most of a white tent, you can also use other strategies to keep your cake cool. Timing is important, so finish decorating your cake as close to the event or serving time as possible to reduce its exposure to heat. If you're transporting your cake, try to arrive as close to serving time as possible.
You can also protect your cake from the sun's rays by setting it up in a shaded area or creating shade with umbrellas or canopies. Avoid placing your cake near windows or areas with direct sunlight, both during transportation and at the venue.
Additionally, consider using fondant as a covering for your cake instead of buttercream, as it will hold up longer in the heat.
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Transport the cake as close to serving time as possible
Transporting the cake as close to serving time as possible is one of the most important things to consider when trying to keep a wedding cake cool in hot weather. This will minimise the time the cake spends in the heat outside.
If you are travelling with the cake in a car, use a car window shade for un-tinted windows to block out the sun's heat. If you're setting up the cake at an outdoor venue, look for a shaded area or create shade using umbrellas or canopies. This will help prevent direct sunlight from hitting your cake.
If you're having a tented wedding, be aware that a white tent may assist in keeping your cake cool, but a clear-top tent will not. Clear-top tents tend to create a greenhouse effect and will melt your cake even faster.
It's also worth considering the type of cake you have. Traditional American Buttercream is made with butter as the base, but butter melts at 90 F to 95 F. You could add vegetable shortening to the final outer coating, which has a higher melting point at 115 F. This can help to maintain stability without sacrificing flavour. Alternatively, you could consider fondant as a covering for the cake, which will hold up longer than buttercream.
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Use a car window shade to block out the sun's heat
If you're travelling with your wedding cake in a car, a car window shade will help to block out the sun's heat. This is a good option if your car windows are not tinted.
To keep your wedding cake cool in hot weather, it's important to protect it from the sun's rays. When setting up your cake at an outdoor venue, look for a shaded area or create shade using umbrellas or canopies. Avoid placing your cake near windows or areas with direct sunlight, both during transportation and at the venue.
Timing is also important. Finish decorating your cake as close to the event or serving time as possible, and try to arrive at the venue as close to the serving time as possible. This will reduce the amount of time your cake is exposed to the heat.
You may also want to consider using fondant as a covering for your cake, as this will hold up longer than buttercream. Traditional American Buttercream is made with butter, which melts at 90-95 F. You could also add vegetable shortening to the final outer coating, which has a higher melting point of 115 F.
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Use fondant instead of buttercream as a covering
To keep a wedding cake cool in hot weather, it is recommended to use fondant instead of buttercream as a covering. Fondant will hold up longer than buttercream in the heat. Buttercream is made with butter, which melts at 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas fondant has a higher melting point. This means that your cake will be more stable and less likely to melt or wilt in the sun.
Fondant is also a good choice for a wedding cake because it can be coloured and flavoured to match the theme of your wedding. It creates a smooth, shiny surface that looks elegant and professional. If you are concerned about the taste of fondant, there are many recipes available that use ingredients such as chocolate or vanilla to enhance the flavour.
When using fondant, it is important to consider the timing of your cake preparation and transportation. Finish decorating your cake as close to the event or serving time as possible to reduce the amount of time it is exposed to the heat. If you are transporting the cake to an outdoor venue, try to arrive as close to the serving time as possible to minimise the time it spends in the sun.
In addition to using fondant, there are other strategies you can employ to keep your wedding cake cool. One idea is to set up your cake in a shaded area or create shade using umbrellas or canopies. This will help to prevent direct sunlight from hitting your cake. Proper support and stacking techniques are also essential to keep your cake stable in warm weather.
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Choose a pale colour scheme for the cake
To keep a wedding cake cool in hot weather, it is recommended to choose a pale colour scheme for the cake. Pale colours reflect light and heat, which will help to keep the cake cool. White, ivory, and other pale neutral colours are ideal choices for an outdoor wedding cake in hot weather. These colours will help to reflect the sun's rays and keep the cake from melting.
In addition to choosing a pale colour scheme, there are several other strategies to keep a wedding cake cool in hot weather. One important strategy is to protect the cake from direct sunlight. When setting up the cake at an outdoor venue, look for a shaded area or create shade using umbrellas or canopies. Avoid placing the cake near windows or areas with direct sunlight, both during transportation and at the venue. Proper support and stacking techniques are also essential to keep the cake stable in warm weather.
The timing of cake preparation and transportation is also crucial. Finish decorating the cake as close to the event or serving time as possible to reduce the amount of time it is exposed to heat. If transporting the cake to an outdoor venue, try to arrive as close to the serving time as possible.
The type of filling and frosting can also make a difference. Traditional American Buttercream is made with butter, which melts at 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Consider adding vegetable shortening to the final outer coating, as it has a higher melting point of 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Fondant is another option for covering the cake, as it will hold up longer than buttercream.
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Frequently asked questions
Timing is everything. Finish decorating your cake as close to the event as possible and transport it to the venue at the last minute. Keep the cake in a cool, shaded area and avoid placing it near windows or areas with direct sunlight.
Traditional American Buttercream is made with butter, which melts at 90-95 F. Vegetable shortening has a higher melting point, so you could add this to the final outer coating. Fondant will also hold up longer than buttercream. An all-white, ivory, or other pale neutral colour scheme is also recommended.
If you're having a tented wedding, a white tent will help to keep your cake cool, but a clear top tent will create a greenhouse effect. If you're travelling with your cake in a car, use a car window shade for un-tinted windows to block out the sun's heat.