Choosing The Perfect Icing For Your Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes have evolved from the traditional Royal Iced fruitcake to now offering a variety of icing styles and tastes to suit different wedding themes and ambiences. The most popular types of icing for wedding cakes include fondant, buttercream, chocolate ganache, and whipped cream. Each type of icing has its own pros and cons, and couples can choose the one that best suits their preferences and wedding style. For instance, fondant is known for its neat and elegant appearance, while buttercream is praised for its delicious taste and smooth texture. Ganache is a popular choice for chocolate lovers, and whipped cream provides a light and airy texture. Ultimately, the choice of icing depends on the couple's taste, the wedding's theme, and the cake designer's expertise.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream

When making Swiss Meringue Buttercream, it is important to use fresh egg whites, as they will whip into a more stable meringue than carton egg whites. The egg whites should be heated to 110°F (43°C) for safe consumption. High-quality vanilla is also important, as it is the main flavour of the frosting. The entire process can be quite time-consuming, but the result is a stable, delicious frosting that can be customised with fresh fruit puree, lemon extract, or chocolate.

Fondant

However, fondant is not the most delectable option, and it can be too thick or sweet for some people's tastes. It requires a skilled baker or cake designer to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and flavour. Fondant is also the most expensive option, which might be a consideration for those working with a budget.

If you are looking for a unique shape, a sculptural work of art, or a cake adorned with sugar flowers, fondant is likely a necessary part of the design. It is also a good choice for outdoor weddings, as it can withstand warmer temperatures without losing its shape.

For a simpler, more rustic design, such as a naked cake, fondant is not necessary. A multi-tiered wedding cake can be achieved with a buttercream coating instead.

American Buttercream

One downside of American buttercream is that it can be difficult to apply due to its grittiness. It may be tricky to achieve sharp corners and smooth sides when frosting with it. Additionally, it is important to be careful when choosing a colour for American buttercream as darker hues will require a lot of colouring and may dye mouths.

To make American buttercream, you will need four simple ingredients: butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. However, there are a few key steps to follow to ensure your buttercream is smooth with minimal grit. First, whip the butter on its own before adding any powdered sugar. Sift your powdered sugar to break out any clumps, and add it slowly to the buttercream, whipping well between additions. Once all the sugar is added, whip for at least three minutes. Finally, add only as much cream as needed to reach the desired consistency and whip until completely smooth.

Ganache

When using ganache for a wedding cake, it is important to consider the temperature conditions. While ganache can handle high levels of heat, it is susceptible to temperature variations during transport. It is best suited for indoor venues or outdoor venues with stable temperatures. Ganache is also a good choice for structural support, as it can be used as a filling between cake layers.

The cost of a ganache wedding cake will depend on the quality of the chocolate used. Higher-quality chocolate can add to the bottom line, making it more expensive than some other frosting options.

Creating a ganache wedding cake involves several steps, including preparing the ganache, filling and stacking the cake layers, and achieving straight sides and sharp edges. It is recommended to use a "ganache board" or a second cake board on top of the cake while applying ganache to the sides to ensure perfectly straight sides. The ganache consistency can be adjusted to be firmer for filling or softer for coating the outside of the cake.

Overall, ganache is a stable and delicious choice for a wedding cake, offering a rich and glossy finish that is perfect for chocolate-loving couples.

Whipped Cream

To make whipped cream frosting, you will need heavy cream or thickened cream, powdered sugar or icing sugar, and flavouring such as vanilla or lemon. You will also need a stand mixer or handheld mixer to whip the cream and create a light and fluffy texture. The process is fairly simple and quick, but it is important to be careful not to over-mix the cream, as this can cause it to become lumpy and curdled.

Frequently asked questions