The Sweet Secrets Of French Canadian Wedding Cakes

French Canadian wedding cakes are a unique and delicious part of any wedding celebration. While French weddings have their own set of traditions and customs, including the famous croquembouche cake, French Canadian weddings may incorporate a blend of French and Canadian influences, resulting in a unique and memorable dessert offering. From classic French pastries to Canadian butter tarts and Nanaimo bars, the options are endless for a sweet treat that will impress and delight your wedding guests. So, what are French Canadian wedding cakes made of, and how do they reflect the cultural fusion of this special occasion? Let's explore the possibilities and discover the mouth-watering creations that are sure to make your wedding day even more extraordinary.

French Canadian wedding cakes are made of choux à la crème

Choux à la crème is a classic French dessert made from choux pastry buns filled with cream. The buns are piped in small mounds and baked in the oven, where they puff up. When cool, they are sliced in half and filled with cream—traditionally, this is pastry cream, whipped cream, or diplomat cream, but can also be custard, ice cream, or crème chantilly. The cream puffs can be topped with craquelin, a simple dough made from flour, sugar, and butter, or kept plain.

The choux pastry itself is made by bringing water, butter, and sugar to a simmer, then adding flour and mixing until a dough forms. This dough is then baked twice: first on the stove in a pot, and then in the oven. This double baking process is what allows the pastries to fill with air and puff up in the oven.

The croquembouche is an adaptation of the French pastry, originally large biscuits that were served and decorated with icing. Over time, these biscuits evolved into tiny cakes, and then into the cream puff pyramids we see today.

Choux à la crème contain custard, whipped cream, or ice cream

Choux à la crème, or cream puffs in English, are a type of pastry that can be filled with custard, whipped cream, or ice cream. They are a key component of the croquembouche, the traditional French wedding cake.

The croquembouche is a decorative, cone-shaped cake made of choux à la crème that are bound together by threads of caramel. The caramel adds a crunchy texture to the soft, creamy choux à la crème. Each choux à la crème can be customised with different fillings, such as custard, whipped cream, or ice cream, to surprise and delight your guests. The croquembouche is not just a delicious dessert but also a stunning visual centerpiece for your wedding.

When choosing the filling for your choux à la crème, consider the weather and how long the croquembouche will be on display before being served. Custard and whipped cream are delicious and versatile options, but they may not hold up as well as ice cream in warm weather. If you opt for custard or whipped cream, be sure to keep the croquembouche chilled until it is time to serve.

In addition to selecting the filling, you can also customise the colour of the choux à la crème to match your wedding colours. For a playful touch, consider adding some edible sugar roses or other sugar decorations. If you want to incorporate fresh flowers, you can create a caramel spiral around the croquembouche and adorn it with sugar flowers. This will give your wedding cake a romantic, floral touch.

When planning your wedding, be sure to consider the number of guests you will be serving. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to have at least 3 choux per person if the croquembouche is the only dessert. If you plan on having other sweets as well, 1-2 choux per person should be sufficient.

The croquembouche is a unique and elegant choice for a French Canadian wedding cake, and the versatility of the choux à la crème fillings allows you to customise your cake to your preferences. Whether you choose custard, whipped cream, or ice cream, your guests are sure to be impressed by this delicious and visually stunning dessert.

The traditional French Canadian wedding cake is called a croquembouche

The croquembouche is a towering masterpiece, with a distinctive conical shape that sets it apart from the typical cylindrical layers of a traditional wedding cake. This French masterpiece is constructed from delicate pastry balls known as choux à la crème, each filled with a delectable treat such as custard, whipped cream, or even ice cream. The magic happens when these pastry balls are carefully stacked and bound together with threads of caramelised sugar, creating a crunchy and indulgent experience for guests.

The croquembouche is more than just a dessert; it is a symbol of French wedding traditions. The cone shape is said to represent towering ambitions and expectations for the couple's future together. While the caramelised sugar threads that hold it all together reflect the sweet and sturdy bond between the newlyweds.

For those who want to add a touch of creativity to their croquembouche, there are endless possibilities. From colourful creations that match the wedding theme to elaborate caramel designs, this cake can be customised to impress your guests. Some couples even opt for a series of petite mounds, piled on top of each other, for a unique twist on the traditional croquembouche.

The traditional French Canadian wedding cake, the croquembouche, is a delightful blend of flavour and artistry. It is a testament to the elegance and romance of French culture, making it the perfect centrepiece for any wedding celebration.

A croquembouche is a cone-shaped tower of choux à la crème

The croquembouche is a traditional French wedding cake, also known as la pièce montée, which means "mounted piece" or "assembled piece". It is a decorative creation that is displayed as a centrepiece at a special event. While the croquembouche is typically made of choux à la crème, some modern versions are made with macarons.

The croquembouche is said to have originated in Medieval England, where it was tradition to stack sweet rolls between the bride and groom, who would then attempt to kiss over the top without knocking them down. A French pastry chef visiting England is said to have witnessed this tradition and brought the idea back to France, creating the first croquembouche.

The croquembouche is usually brown-coloured, but it can be customised to match the wedding colour scheme. For example, red and white croquembouche for a polka dot theme, or a tower of colourful macarons. It can also be adorned with sugar flowers, a caramel spiral, or a criss-cross design.

The croquembouche is often the only dessert served at a wedding, with a recommended serving size of 3 pieces of choux per person. However, if other sweets are being served, 1-2 choux per person is sufficient. A symbolic "cake-cutting" ceremony can be performed, where the bride and groom cut and feed each other a choux from the bottom of the cone.

French Canadian wedding cakes can be made of macarons

One option is to create a cascading macaron wedding cake, where the macarons are stacked to form a beautiful tower. This can be done by using pancakes as the base and boundary of each layer, which can be concealed with icing for a seamless look. Macarons can also be sandwiched together with delicious creams and fruits to create a layered effect.

Another idea is to form the macarons into different shapes, such as squares or hearts, by assembling them into "tiny burgers." This allows for even more creativity in the design of the wedding cake. The macarons themselves can also be customized with a variety of colours, flavours, and decorations to match the theme of the wedding.

French macarons are made with egg whites, sugar, almond flour, and food colouring, resulting in a round, crunchy-on-the-outside, and creamy-on-the-inside treat. They are a perfect choice for a French Canadian wedding cake, offering a unique and elegant alternative to traditional cakes.

Whether you opt for a classic vanilla flavour or something more unique like red velvet or pistachio, a macaron wedding cake is sure to be a memorable and delicious addition to your special day. So why not surprise your guests and treat them to the delicate flavour and texture of French macarons?

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