Jamaican Wedding Cake Icing: A Tropical Treat

Jamaican wedding cakes are a staple dessert recipe in the Caribbean. They are rich, dense, and boozy, often made with dried fruit soaked in rum and warm spices. The cake is also known as a rum cake, Christmas cake, or birthday cake. The traditional icing for a Jamaican wedding cake is royal icing, which is made with powdered sugar and egg whites. It is usually white, but food colouring can be added for a personal touch. The icing is sweet with a light, airy consistency and has citrus and floral notes. It can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Royal icing ingredients

Royal icing is traditionally made with powdered sugar and egg whites. It is slathered on freshly baked Jamaican black cake and hardens as it sits at room temperature. Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make royal icing:

• Confectioners' Sugar: Powdered sugar, sifted to remove any lumps. This forms the base of the icing and gives it its sweet taste and smooth texture.
• Egg Whites: Whipped egg whites introduce air into the frosting, creating a light and fluffy texture. This helps to achieve a smooth and airy consistency while allowing other ingredients to shine through with their flavours.
• Rose Water: This ingredient infuses the frosting with a unique floral note, adding a subtle and elegant flavour to the overall profile.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright, tart citrus taste to the royal icing. It provides a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the confectioners' sugar.
• Almond Paste (Optional): Although not mandatory, almond paste adds a delicious nutty taste to the cake. It also acts as a barrier between the moist cake and the icing, ensuring a smooth application and preventing the rum-soaked cake from bleeding into the icing.
• Edible Sugar Pearls (Optional): These can be added for an elegant flair and a bit of crunch.
• Food Colouring (Optional): If you prefer a coloured icing, feel free to add a few drops of your desired food colouring to achieve the shade you want.
• Extracts (Optional): Some recipes include vanilla extract or almond extract for an extra boost of warm flavour.

With these ingredients and the right technique, you can create a beautiful and delicious royal icing for your Jamaican wedding cake!

Icing consistency

The base of the icing is typically made using a combination of egg whites and powdered sugar. The egg whites are whipped to introduce air into the mixture, creating a light and airy texture. This step is essential to achieving the desired consistency. Additionally, the powdered sugar should be sifted to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth finish.

When mixing the ingredients, it is best to use an electric mixer or whisk to blend them together. Start by combining the egg whites and powdered sugar, gradually adding the sugar to the eggs. Mix on low speed until the desired consistency is reached. This may take a few minutes, so be patient. If the icing appears too thick, gradually add a small amount of water, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the ideal consistency. Conversely, if the icing is too thin, simply add more powdered sugar to thicken it.

For an extra touch of flavour and a unique floral note, you can include rose water in your icing. Fresh lime juice is also a wonderful addition, providing a bright and tangy citrus taste. These ingredients can be added during the mixing process, along with any desired food colouring.

Once you have achieved the perfect consistency, it's time to spread the icing onto your cake. Use a spatula or a butter knife to achieve a smooth finish. If you prefer a more decorative approach, you can use a piping bag to create special designs. Allow the icing to harden before serving, which typically takes about 6-8 hours.

Icing colour

The colour of the icing is entirely up to you! You can opt for a traditional white or clear icing, or add food colouring to create your desired shade.

If you're going for a white icing, be sure to use powdered sugar, as this will give you a brighter white colour than granulated sugar. You can also add a tiny amount of blue or purple food colouring to the white icing to create a shade that appears even brighter.

If you want to get creative with your colours, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, consider the colour of your cake. If you're making a Jamaican black cake, for example, you might want to choose a colour that contrasts with the dark brown or black cake, like a bright pink or green. You can also match the colour of your icing to the theme of your wedding or the colours of your wedding dress.

When adding food colouring to your icing, start with a small amount and gradually add more until you achieve the desired shade. It's also a good idea to use gel or paste food colouring instead of liquid colouring, as this will not thin out your icing.

• White and gold: This classic combination is elegant and luxurious. You can use gold leaf, edible gold paint, or gold sprinkles to achieve this look.
• Blush and navy: This romantic colour palette is perfect for a sophisticated wedding. Use a soft pink icing and add navy accents with fresh flowers or sugar paste decorations.
• Pastel rainbow: This fun and playful option is great for a summer wedding. Use pastel shades of yellow, green, blue, and pink to create a rainbow effect.
• Metallic: A metallic finish, such as silver or rose gold, can add a modern touch to your wedding cake. You can find edible metallic food paint or dust to create this look.

Remember to consider the flavour of your icing when choosing a colour. For example, if you're using almond extract, you might want to avoid green or blue colours, as they could make your icing look unappetizing.

Finally, don't be afraid to mix and match colours! You can create an ombre effect by using different shades of the same colour or go for a more playful look with contrasting colours. The possibilities are endless!

Icing application

Preparing the Icing:

Before you begin, gather all the necessary ingredients and tools. You will need an electric mixer or a whisk, a large bowl, and a spatula or butter knife for application. The ingredients for royal icing typically include confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar), egg whites, rose water, fresh lime juice, and optional additions such as almond paste, edible sugar pearls, and food colouring.

Mixing the Ingredients:

• Start by combining the sifted confectioners' sugar, egg whites, rose water, and fresh lime juice in a large mixing bowl.
• Use your electric mixer or whisk to blend the ingredients until they are fully incorporated and a desired consistency is achieved. This may take around 5-10 minutes, depending on your equipment and the quantity of ingredients.
• If you are using food colouring, add it to the mixture now and mix until the colour is evenly distributed throughout the icing.

Applying the Icing:

• Once your icing is ready, it's time to apply it to your Jamaican wedding cake. Place the cake on a flat surface or turntable for easy access.
• Use your spatula or butter knife to spread the royal icing evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Take your time to ensure a smooth and uniform finish.
• If you are using almond paste, gently roll it out to approximately 1/8 inch thickness and place it on top of the cake before applying the icing. This step is optional but can add a delicious nutty flavour and a smooth base for the icing.
• If desired, decorate the cake with edible sugar pearls or other toppings of your choice.
• Allow the icing to harden before cutting and serving the cake. This usually takes around 6-8 hours.

Tips for a Smooth Application:

• Ensure that your icing is smooth and free of lumps before applying it to the cake.
• If the icing is too thick, gradually add a little water (a teaspoon at a time) until you reach the desired consistency.
• If the icing is too thin, simply add more powdered sugar to thicken it.
• Feel free to use a piping bag to create a special design or pattern on the cake.
• If you are using almond paste, brush the cake with rum or wine first to help the paste adhere better.
• Always allow the frosting to set completely before slicing the cake to ensure clean cuts and a neat presentation.

Icing storage

Storing Royal Icing:

If you've made a Jamaican wedding cake with royal icing, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This icing can be made up to three days in advance and will last in the fridge for up to three days. It is best to let the icing sit at room temperature and harden before serving.

Storing Buttercream Frosting:

For those who prefer buttercream frosting on their Jamaican wedding cake, there are a few storage options. If you plan to use the frosting within a week, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for up to two weeks, but it's best to use it within a week for maximum freshness. Before using, let the frosting come to room temperature, and rewhip it to restore its fluffy texture.

If you need to store the buttercream frosting for longer, you can freeze it. Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to two months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then bring it to room temperature and rewhip.

General Tips:

Regardless of the type of icing, it's important to keep it away from fragrant foods in the refrigerator, such as fish or meat. This will prevent the icing from absorbing unwanted odours and flavours.

Additionally, if you have leftover icing, you can pipe out decorations and let them harden. These hardened decorations can be stored in an airtight container in a dry, dark place for up to six months or in a non-airtight container for years!

Frequently asked questions