Cigarillos And Wedding Cake: The Perfect Pairing

Planning a wedding is an exciting time, and choosing the right cigarillo to complement your wedding cake is an important decision. While some couples opt for classic wedding cake flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, or red velvet, others are exploring more unique and daring options. From chocolate Bailey's cake with chai-spiced buttercream to olive oil and rosemary cake, the possibilities are endless. But what cigarillo goes best with these sweet treats?

Chocolate cigarillos for a modern twist

Chocolate cigarillos are a popular choice for decorating wedding cakes and can add a modern twist to your special day. They are a fun and attractive way to decorate cakes and desserts and are available in milk, dark, white, and coloured chocolate varieties.

Chocolate cigarillos can be used to create a unique and modern wedding cake design. For example, you could opt for a four-tier white chocolate cigarillo cake, or if you want something truly distinctive, you can try making your own cigarillos with uneven shapes. This will give your cake a one-of-a-kind look, as suppliers typically only sell thin, mass-produced cigarillos. It can take some time to perfect the tempering of the chocolate and the curling technique, but the end result is sure to be spectacular.

When placing chocolate cigarillos on your cake, you can either measure the circumference of the cake tin (one inch or 2.5cm equates to approximately three cigarillos) or use a cake tin guide that uses the diameter measurement. It's a good idea to allow for some extra cigarillos to account for approximations and possible breakages. For a six-inch round cake, you will need approximately 57 cigarillos, while a 10-inch round cake will require about 94 cigarillos.

Chocolate cigarillos are a fun and delicious way to decorate your wedding cake, and with a little creativity, you can design a truly modern and memorable cake for your special day.

White chocolate cigarillos for a unique design

White chocolate cigarillos are a unique and elegant way to decorate a wedding cake. They add a touch of sophistication and luxury to the overall design, making them a popular choice for modern weddings.

Belgian white chocolate cigarillos, with their ivory finish, are particularly sought-after for wedding cakes. They offer a beautiful contrast to the cake's white icing, creating a stylish and elegant look. The cigarillos can be placed vertically around the cake, adding texture and visual interest.

For a truly one-of-a-kind design, consider using unevenly shaped cigarillos of varying thicknesses. This adds a whimsical and organic touch to the cake's overall aesthetic. It takes time and skill to perfect the tempering of the chocolate and the curling technique to achieve this unique look, but the result is a stunning, distinctive cake.

White chocolate cigarillos can also be paired with other decorative elements to create a truly spectacular design. For example, fresh flowers or edible gold leaf can be added for a touch of glamour.

When choosing a white chocolate cigarillo wedding cake, it's important to consider the overall flavour profile of the cake. White chocolate is a versatile flavour that can be paired with a variety of fillings and toppings. Popular choices include vanilla, raspberry, or a fruity option like passion fruit or strawberry.

For a unique and memorable wedding cake, white chocolate cigarillos are a perfect choice. They offer endless customisation options, ensuring your cake is a true reflection of your style and taste.

Classic vanilla cake with cigarillos

A classic vanilla cake with cigarillos is a perfect choice for a wedding cake. Vanilla is a crowd-pleaser, it's light, delicious, and fits the wedding's colour scheme. Here's a guide to creating this classic cake with a unique twist:

Ingredients:

• Cigarillos: Choose cigarillos that complement the vanilla flavour. You can opt for classic cigarillos or explore flavoured options that pair well with vanilla, such as chocolate, coffee, or even vanilla-flavoured cigarillos.
• Vanilla Cake: Prepare a classic vanilla cake batter. Use a combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour for a softer and fluffier texture. Include extra egg whites to keep the cake light and airy. Enhance the vanilla flavour with pure vanilla extract.
• Frosting: A vanilla buttercream frosting is a classic choice, but you can also experiment with other options like chocolate buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or Swiss meringue buttercream.

Baking and Assembly:

• Prepare the cake pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment paper. This ensures the cakes release seamlessly from the pans.
• Follow the classic creaming method for making the vanilla cake: cream the butter and sugar, incorporate the eggs one at a time, and alternate adding the flour and liquid (buttermilk or milk).
• Bake the cake layers until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Level the cake layers by carefully slicing off the tops to create a flat surface. This ensures a straight and sturdy layer cake.
• For assembly, place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Repeat with the remaining layers, stacking them evenly.
• Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake. You can decorate the cake with simple rosettes, sprinkles, or even fresh berries and mint sprigs.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before slicing and serving. This helps the cake hold its shape and makes cutting cleaner.

Tips for Success:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for proper emulsification and even mixing.
• Proper Flour Measurement: Measure your flour accurately by spooning and levelling it into the measuring cup. Over-measuring flour can lead to dry and dense cakes.
• Adequate Creaming: Take the time to cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. This step is crucial for a good texture.
• Incorporating Eggs: Fully incorporate each egg one at a time to ensure proper emulsification and a consistent texture.
• Avoid Overmixing: When adding the flour, mix on low speed just until it is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense and fragile cakes.
• Baking Times: Use the suggested baking times as a guideline, but keep in mind that every oven is different. Check on your cakes while they are baking to avoid over- or under-baking.
• Cooling the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for a brief period before turning them out onto a cooling rack. Cooling completely before frosting is essential to prevent melting the frosting.

By following these steps and adding your unique touch, you can create a classic vanilla cake with cigarillos that will impress your guests and make your wedding day even more memorable.

Chocolate cake with cigarillos

Chocolate cigarillos are an effective way to transform a simple sponge into an impressive wedding cake. They are evenly rolled chocolate sticks, mostly used vertically around the side of a cake, but can also be used for decoration on the top.

Chocolate cigarillos come in a variety of colours and designs, including white, milk, dark, orange, pink, yellow, red, green, and multi-coloured. They are also available in different lengths, with the standard cigarillo being 200mm long, and the mini cigarillo being 35mm long.

When creating a chocolate cake with cigarillos, it is important to consider the size of the cake and the spacing between the cigarillos. A rough guide is to use 3 cigarillos per inch, which is a closely spaced, almost touching arrangement. It is always a good idea to allow a few extra cigarillos in case of breakages.

Chocolate cigarillos can be used to create a unique and impressive wedding cake, and can be paired with a variety of cake flavours and fillings. For example, a chocolate cake with coffee caramel or a vanilla cake with passionfruit curd.

For a truly spectacular wedding cake, consider using unevenly shaped cigarillos of different thicknesses, like Lara and Jim did for their wedding at Syon Park in London. They had a four-tier white chocolate cigarillo wedding cake, with each cigarillo shaped differently, creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Cigarillos with wedding cake fillings

White Chocolate Cigarillos

White chocolate cigarillos are a perfect way to add a modern twist to a classic wedding cake. The cigarillos can be carefully crafted to be unevenly shaped, adding a unique touch to your cake design. This was the case for Lara and Jim, who had a stunning four-tier white chocolate cigarillo wedding cake at their wedding reception. The white chocolate cigarillos added a creative and elegant element to their cake, making it a true showstopper.

Chocolate Cigarillos

Chocolate cigarillos offer a delightful twist on the traditional wedding cake. You can opt for thin, mass-produced cigarillos or get creative and make your own. Chocolate cigarillos pair well with various cake flavours, such as vanilla, chocolate sponge, or even a unique flavour like pistachio with buttercream and caramelised pistachios. The possibilities are endless!

Fun and Festive Touches

If you're looking for something a little more playful, consider incorporating colourful sprinkles or cigarillo-shaped cake pops into your wedding cake design. This can add a touch of whimsy and fun to your special day. You can even have a cake with a hidden surprise inside, such as a colourful funfetti cake or a cake filled with your favourite treats.

Flavour Combinations

When it comes to flavour combinations, the sky's the limit! You can pair your cigarillo wedding cake with various fillings and toppings. Some popular choices include vanilla buttercream, chocolate buttercream, caramel, raspberry, or even something more unique like cardamom pistachio orange cake. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even create a multi-tiered cake with different flavours for each tier.

Remember, your wedding cake should reflect your personality and taste. So, feel free to get creative and think outside the box. By incorporating cigarillos into your wedding cake design and experimenting with different flavours, you'll surely have a delicious and memorable treat that you and your guests will love!

Frequently asked questions