Crafting Your Wedding Dessert: A Guide To Homemade Treats

Making your own wedding dessert is a great way to save money and add a personal touch to your big day. Whether you're a baking pro or a beginner, there are plenty of options for creating a delicious and impressive spread that your guests will love. From simple treats like chocolate-covered pretzels and cake pops to more elaborate creations like mini lemon meringue pies and choux pastry puffs, the possibilities are endless. You can even set up a DIY s'mores table or ice cream sundae bar for a fun and interactive experience. With a little planning and creativity, you can make your wedding dessert dreams come true without breaking the bank.

Making desserts in bulk

Planning and Preparation:

• Create a dessert menu that includes a variety of options such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and bite-sized treats. This will ensure that you have something for every taste and dietary restriction.
• Consider the number of guests you will be serving and plan accordingly. Making desserts in bulk will require a large quantity of ingredients, so be sure to purchase enough.
• Practice making the desserts ahead of time to perfect your recipes and techniques. This will also help you estimate the time needed for preparation and baking.
• Recruit help from family and friends. Preparing desserts for a large number of people can be time-consuming and challenging, so don't be afraid to ask for assistance.

Ideas for Bulk Desserts:

• Cake pops are a popular choice for weddings. They are easy to make in large quantities and can be decorated in a variety of ways. Consider Oreo cake pops or chocolate stout cake pops for a unique twist.
• Cupcakes are a classic dessert option that can be made in advance and frozen. Offer a variety of flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet, with different frosting options.
• Cookies are a great make-ahead option that can be baked and frozen until the big day. Try chocolate chip, peanut butter, or white chocolate pretzel cookies.
• Mini desserts are perfect for weddings as they are easy to serve and eat. Consider cheesecake bites, lemon bars, or mixed berry vanilla bean cream tarts.
• Donuts are a fun and inexpensive option that can be made in a variety of flavors. Go for classic glazed or chocolate-frosted, or try something unique like pumpkin spice or maple bacon.
• Chocolate-covered strawberries are a delicious and elegant treat. Dip fresh strawberries in melted chocolate and decorate with white chocolate drizzle or gold sprinkles.
• Macarons are a colorful and elegant French dessert that can be made in advance. They come in a variety of flavors and colors, and will surely impress your guests.

Remember to consider the season and theme of your wedding when choosing your dessert options. For example, opt for refreshing fruit-based desserts for a summer wedding, or warm and cozy options like cinnamon rolls for a fall or winter wedding. With careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can make delicious bulk desserts for your wedding that will leave a sweet impression on your guests.

DIY dessert displays

Vary the heights of your desserts

Add visual interest to your dessert table by using different heights. This can be achieved by using cake stands, pedestals, or simply by arranging your desserts at different levels. Acrylic pedestals, for example, offer a sleek and modern alternative to a traditional table.

Use a unique cake stand

Instead of a traditional cake stand, consider using a tree slab or wood slice for a natural, rustic look. This can add a unique and interesting touch to your dessert display.

Create a backdrop

Your desserts will look even more appealing with a beautiful backdrop. You can decorate a plain canvas with DIY bunting and paper flowers, or go for a romantic cascading greenery backdrop. Paper petals on a wood-planked wall create a soft look, while brightly coloured ribbons add a festive touch.

Make it interactive

Get your guests mingling by setting up an interactive dessert bar. Some ideas include a pancake bar with syrup, whipped cream, and fruit toppings, a s'mores bar, or a simple milk and cookies setup.

Use punny signage

Add a touch of humour to your dessert display with punny signage. This will not only make your guests smile but also create a memorable experience.

Display your desserts creatively

Think beyond the traditional cake table and get creative with your dessert display. Donuts can be displayed on pegs or a marble cheese board, while cupcakes can be arranged in a tower. Macarons and mini ice cream cones can be presented in shot glasses, and cannolis can be stacked in tiers.

With a bit of creativity and some DIY magic, you can create a stunning and unique dessert display for your wedding that your guests will surely remember.

Choosing the right equipment

When it comes to choosing the right equipment for making your own wedding dessert, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you'll need to decide on the type of dessert you want to create. Are you going for a classic wedding cake, or something more unconventional like churros or a pie bar? The equipment you'll need will depend on your dessert choice.

If you're making a cake, you'll require basic baking equipment such as mixing bowls, a good spatula, measuring cups and spoons, a cake pan or tins, and a cooling rack. You may also want to invest in a cake stand or plate, cake server, and decorations such as fresh flowers or cake toppers. For more complex cakes, consider a cake turntable, piping bags and tips, and a variety of cake moulds or pans for different shapes.

For other desserts, the equipment will vary. For example, if you're making churros, you'll need a churro maker or a deep fryer, as well as a cinnamon and sugar coating. If you opt for a pie bar, you'll need pie dishes, a rolling pin, and various pie fillings and toppings. If you want to offer a build-your-own sundae bar, you'll need ice cream scoops, sundae glasses or bowls, and an array of toppings and sauces.

In addition to dessert-specific equipment, there are some general tools that will be useful for any wedding dessert you choose to make. These include:

• A large refrigerator or freezer to store your desserts before the big day.
• Transport containers to get your desserts to the venue safely.
• Serving trays, platters, and bowls for presenting your desserts.
• Utensils such as spoons, knives, and forks for your guests to eat with.
• Napkins and plates, or small bags if you want guests to take treats home.
• A display table or cabinet to showcase your creations.
• A backdrop or decorations to create a visually appealing dessert table.

Remember to consider the scale of your wedding when choosing your equipment. You'll likely need more than you think, especially if you have a large guest list. It's always better to have too much than to run out of desserts or serving ware on your special day!

Dessert table aesthetics

Dessert tables are a great way to showcase your chosen sweets and add a personal touch to your wedding. Here are some ideas to make your dessert table aesthetically pleasing:

Choose a Theme

Tie your dessert table into your wedding theme. This could mean adopting a whimsical, rustic, elegant, or bohemian style, or focusing on a specific colour palette. You could also create a holiday-themed dessert table, with treats that match the season.

Display with Drama

Make your dessert table visually appealing by adding dramatic flair. Consider using dry ice smoke or hanging desserts from the ceiling to create a magical experience for your guests.

Mix and Match Desserts

Offer a variety of desserts in different sizes, colours, and flavours. Include single-bite treats like macarons, cake pops, and mini pies, as well as larger items like bundt cakes and cookies. This ensures there's something for everyone and creates a visually interesting display.

Creative Serving Ideas

Use household items like wine glasses, mason jars, or wooden cutting boards for unique dessert presentations. For a rustic look, serve desserts on wooden platters or log slices.

Flowers and Greenery

Flowers and plants can add elegance and natural beauty to your dessert table. Use in-season flowers or potted herbs and succulents to keep costs down. You can also freeze edible flowers like pansies or nasturtiums in ice cubes for a functional and decorative twist.

Personalised Touches

Add a personal touch to your dessert table by including treats that are significant to you and your partner. You could recreate a dessert from your first date or honour your heritage with traditional desserts from your cultural background.

DIY and Upcycling

If you're crafty, consider making your own dessert stands by repurposing thrift store finds or creating handmade decorations like paper flowers or bunting. Upcycling reclaimed items into menu boards, photo displays, or vases is also a unique and environmentally conscious choice.

Dessert alternatives

Crepe Cakes

Crepe cakes are a delightful alternative to traditional wedding cakes. These paper-thin French pancakes can be stacked high or kept low, with whipped cream or fruit preserves between each layer. A dusting of powdered sugar is a simple yet elegant topper, but you can also decorate the crepe cake with fresh flowers or fruit for a more whimsical look.

Cupcakes

Cupcakes have serious staying power as a wedding dessert option. They offer a variety of flavour and icing combinations to satisfy your guests' sweet tooth. Displaying cupcakes on a tiered stand, with a small wedding cake on top, is a popular way to present them.

Croquembouche

A croquembouche is a traditional French wedding dessert. It consists of a triangular tower of cream puffs drizzled with caramelized sugar. You can add a special touch by nestling wheels and peels of citrus or small flowers between the pastries.

Doughnuts

Doughnuts are a fun and festive dessert option that can be easily served at a wedding. You can ice them in your wedding colours or go for a plain-glazed look, which feels rustic, understated, and elegant. Arrange them on a tiered display or create a doughnut wall or bar, where guests can even make their own doughnuts.

Macaron Cakes

French macarons are classy cookies that can be arranged in a unique conical "cake" or displayed on a tiered serving platter with the filling side out. Add some flowers and greenery to create a sophisticated dessert display.

Cheesecake

A cheesecake can be a beautiful and elegant alternative to a traditional wedding cake. You can decorate it with fresh fruit, such as a purple rose-bedecked tiered cheesecake, or keep it simple and let the graham cracker crust shine.

Cheese Cake

For dairy-loving couples, a "cheese cake" made from stacked wheels of cheese is a savoury alternative. You can decorate it with fresh fruits like figs, strawberries, and grapes. Sourcing cheese wheels from your wedding location or places that are significant to your relationship can add a special touch.

Madeleines

Madeleines are shell-shaped petite cakes that are visually stunning and perfect for a wedding. They don't need much in the way of icing or toppings, but you can add a coquette touch with a black velvet bow at the base.

Wedding Pie

Why not serve wedding pie instead of cake? Adding a small cake stand can elevate this classic dessert. You can also stack pies in a cake-like shape and adorn them with chocolate-covered strawberries for a unique presentation.

Ice Cream Cake

An ice cream cake is a great alternative for couples who want something traditional-looking but don't want sponge cake. It can be tiered, frosted, and decorated just like a regular wedding cake. Choose complementary flavours and add crushed cookies between the layers for a crunchy texture.

Bundt Cake

Bundt cakes are perfect for autumn weddings, as they are often flavoured with cinnamon, sugar, and warming spices. For a summertime twist, try an angel food bundt cake drenched in lemon-curd drizzles.

Rice Krispies Treat Cake

A Rice Krispies treat cake is an unexpected and playful alternative to a traditional wedding cake. You can gussy up the layers with ribbons and fresh fruit for a unique presentation.

Frequently asked questions