Franklin Dean
When it comes to wedding cakes, there are many options to choose from, and some types of icing are more suitable than others. While fondant provides a flawless, smooth finish, it is often considered too sweet and thick, and it is the most expensive option. If you're having a summer wedding, buttercream may not be the best option as it is prone to melting in hot weather. However, Italian Meringue buttercream is a good choice for outdoor weddings. Chocolate ganache is another popular choice for its rich taste and glossy finish, but it is also sensitive to temperature changes and requires careful handling. For a unique flavour, cream cheese frosting is a tasty option, especially with carrot or red velvet cake, but it has a soft texture that may not hold up for intricate cake designs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Icing type | Buttercream, fondant, ganache, cream cheese |
| Taste | Fondant is unpopular for its taste, but this can be improved by using a heavier layer of base buttercream underneath |
| Texture | Buttercream allows for some play with textures, such as lines or ridges |
| Durability | Fondant is more durable than buttercream, which melts at temperatures above the mid-80s |
| Temperature | Ganache melts and loses its shape if exposed to warm temperatures, so it's not suitable for an outdoor summer wedding |
| Design | Buttercream is not the best choice for intricate designs as it has a soft texture |
| Cost | Fondant comes with a heftier price tag, costing an additional $0.50 per serving |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid buttercream for outdoor weddings
While buttercream is a popular choice for wedding cakes, it may not be the best option for outdoor weddings, especially during the summer. Buttercream is made with butter, which means it can melt in high temperatures. If you're planning an outdoor wedding in a warm climate, it's best to avoid buttercream icing to prevent your cake from turning into a soupy mess.
Buttercream is a blend of sugar, eggs, and butter, resulting in a soft, creamy texture that can be mixed with various flavourings. While it is tasty and light, it may not be the most stable option for an outdoor celebration. If you're set on having a buttercream cake, consider an outdoor venue with air conditioning or plan your wedding for a cooler time of year.
There are several alternatives to buttercream icing that are more suitable for outdoor weddings. Fondant, for example, is a popular choice that is much more durable. It is made from sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, and is rolled out into sheets before being moulded over the cake. Fondant creates a smooth and shiny finish and keeps the cake fresh for longer. While some people believe it tastes awful, this is a myth. Fondant-covered cakes nowadays typically use a layer of buttercream or chocolate ganache underneath for improved taste and a firmer finish.
Another option for outdoor weddings is chocolate ganache. Ganache is made with chocolate and cream, resulting in a velvety, smooth texture. It can be used as a drip-style cake finish or to cover the entire cake. While it can melt in warm temperatures, white chocolate ganache is a better option for warmer climates as it has more cacao solids and thus more structure and staying power.
If you're looking for a light and airy option that isn't too sweet, whipped cream frosting is a good choice. It pairs well with layers of sponge cake and fresh fruit, creating a delicate dessert. However, it requires refrigeration, so it may not be suitable for all outdoor venues.
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Avoid fondant if you want a tasty cake
While fondant is a very popular choice for wedding cakes, it is also widely misunderstood. Fondant is a type of icing made from sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. It is rolled out into sheets and moulded over the cake, resulting in a smooth and shiny finish. However, many people believe that it does not taste good.
Fondant has a bad reputation for tasting unpleasant, especially when it is rolled out very thick. Historically, fondant-covered cakes had a layer of marzipan underneath, which is not a widely liked flavour. However, bakers nowadays usually use buttercream or chocolate ganache as a base for fondant, which improves the taste and provides a firmer finish.
If you are concerned about the taste of fondant, there are a few alternatives you can consider. One option is to use a homemade marshmallow fondant, which tastes better. Another option is to use a heavier layer of base buttercream under the fondant, so that guests can peel off the fondant layer instead of eating it.
Buttercream is often considered the tastier option compared to fondant. It is made by blending sugar, eggs, and butter, resulting in a soft, creamy texture that can be mixed with various flavourings. It is light and not too sweet, and its versatility allows for some play with textures. For example, having lines or ridges in the buttercream is a trendy choice for a more relaxed wedding.
In summary, if you want a tasty wedding cake, it is best to avoid fondant as it is often considered to have an unpleasant taste. Instead, opt for buttercream or other alternatives such as cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or chocolate ganache, which are all known for their delicious flavours and versatility.
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Avoid chocolate ganache for summer weddings
While chocolate ganache is a popular frosting option for wedding cakes, it may not be the best choice for summer weddings, especially outdoor ones. Ganache is made with chocolate and cream, and it has a velvety, smooth texture. However, it can melt and lose its shape if exposed to warm temperatures.
For example, dark chocolate ganache can withstand temperatures up to 85°F, but higher temperatures can cause it to melt. This is especially true for outdoor weddings, where wind, humidity, and high temperatures can impact the stability of the ganache. To avoid this, it is recommended to avoid outdoor cake tables or to bring the cake out at the last minute if conditions are unfavourable.
Additionally, chocolate ganache may not be the best option for summer weddings due to its richness. Ganache is a rich and decadent frosting, and it may be too heavy for a summer dessert. Guests may prefer a lighter and more refreshing option, such as a cake with whipped cream frosting and fresh fruit, which is better suited to the warmer months.
Furthermore, chocolate ganache may not be the best choice for a summer wedding cake if you are looking for intricate designs or decorations. While ganache can be piped, it is not ideal for very intricate piping work. Other frostings, such as buttercream, may be better suited for creating detailed designs or decorations on the cake.
Overall, while chocolate ganache is a delicious and versatile frosting, it may not be the most practical choice for a summer wedding, especially if the wedding is outdoors or in a warm location. There are other frosting options that may be more stable and better suited to the season, ensuring that your wedding cake looks and tastes its best.
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Avoid cream cheese frosting for intricate designs
When it comes to wedding cakes, the frosting you choose is important. It can give your cake a modern look, a layered texture, or a smooth, elegant surface.
If you're looking for a wedding cake with intricate details and an elaborate design, cream cheese frosting may not be the best option. While cream cheese frosting has a unique flavour compared to other options and is not overly sweet, its soft texture makes it difficult to create intricate designs. It is worth noting, however, that cream cheese frosting can hold up well in hot weather, so if your wedding is outdoors during the summer, it could be a good choice.
If you have your heart set on a cream cheese frosting but still want an intricate design, you could consider having a cake with multiple tiers, each with a different level of detail. The tiers with simpler designs could be frosted with cream cheese, while the more intricate tiers could be decorated with a different type of frosting, such as buttercream or fondant, that is better suited for detailed work.
Additionally, if you want to include some intricate details but still want to use cream cheese frosting, you could consider adding some simple decorations, such as fresh flowers or foliage, that complement the soft texture of the frosting. This way, you can still have a beautiful and elegant wedding cake without compromising on flavour.
Overall, while cream cheese frosting may not be ideal for intricate designs, there are ways to incorporate it into your wedding cake while still achieving the desired level of detail and elegance.
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Avoid royal icing if you want a modern wedding
Wedding cakes have evolved since the days of Royal Iced fruitcakes, and couples now have a wide range of styles and tastes to choose from to suit their wedding plans and overall ambience.
Royal icing is a traditional form of cake decoration, but it may not be the best choice for a modern wedding. Royal icing is made from sugar, egg whites, and lemon or lime juice, and it dries hard, making it ideal for creating intricate patterns and decorations. However, it can be quite time-consuming and tricky to work with, and it may not be to everyone's taste.
If you're looking for a more contemporary option, there are several other types of icing that can give your wedding cake a modern twist. For example, fondant, which is made from sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, creates a smooth and shiny finish. It is also much more durable than other types of icing and keeps the cake fresh for longer, making it a good choice for a summer wedding.
Another modern option is chocolate ganache, which has a velvety, smooth texture and can be used for a dip effect or as an all-over frosting. It can also be coloured using food colouring to create a unique and personalised look. For a more relaxed wedding, buttercream is a great choice as it allows for some play with textures and can be dressed with flowers or foliage.
So, if you're planning a modern wedding, it's best to avoid royal icing and opt for one of the many other icing options available to create a stylish and contemporary celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Ganache, buttercream, and cream cheese icing are all poor choices for an outdoor summer wedding. Ganache and buttercream melt at high temperatures, and cream cheese icing is soft and not ideal for intricate details.
Ganache, buttercream, and cream cheese are all popular alternatives to fondant icing.
Fondant is durable, neat, and keeps the cake fresh for longer. However, it is more expensive and is thought to taste awful.
Cream cheese frosting is the best option for hot weather.
