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White cake and wedding cake are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. White cake is a type of cake that is made without egg yolks, resulting in a distinctive white colour. Wedding cakes, on the other hand, can be any flavour, but are typically white cakes with white icing. Wedding cakes are also usually tiered, and white cakes are ideal for this structure due to their appearance and texture.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Egg | White cakes are made using egg whites only, whereas wedding cakes can be made using whole eggs. |
Colour | White cakes are white in colour, whereas wedding cakes can be white or have a golden-yellow hue. |
Texture | White cakes are less sweet, cloud-like, and spongy, whereas wedding cakes are moister, denser, and sturdier. |
Flavour | White cakes are vanilla-flavoured, whereas wedding cakes can be vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, butterscotch, etc. |
Occasion | White cakes are typically used for weddings, whereas wedding cakes are, by definition, used for weddings. |
What You'll Learn
White cakes are made with egg whites only, while wedding cakes can be made with whole eggs
White cakes and wedding cakes are not the same thing, but white cakes are often used as wedding cakes due to their colour. White cakes are made with egg whites only, while wedding cakes can be made with whole eggs.
White cakes are made with egg whites only, and sometimes combine shortening and butter to achieve a pure white colour. They became widely available in the late 19th century and became associated with weddings and christenings. They are also used as the base for brightly coloured cakes, such as rainbow-coloured cakes, as the food colouring shows up better on the white batter.
White cakes tend to be less sweet and a little less tender than cakes made with whole eggs. They also have a lighter batter with a finer crumb. White cakes are often vanilla-flavoured, and sometimes artificial clear vanilla extract is used to preserve the white colour.
Wedding cakes can be made with whole eggs, depending on the recipe and the region. Wedding cakes are often white, but this is due to the use of white flour and white sugar, rather than the eggs used. In the past, white baked goods were a symbol of wealth, as white sugar and flour were once expensive and hard to come by.
Wedding cakes can also be made with almond extract, which can give them a slightly yellowish hue. In some places, a wedding cake is simply whatever cake is served at the wedding, while in other regions, it is more traditional and only a white cake is considered acceptable.
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White cakes are less sweet than wedding cakes
White cakes and wedding cakes are not the same thing, but white cakes are often used as wedding cakes. This is because white cakes are a very distinctive white colour, which is associated with weddings.
White cakes are made with flour, baking powder, sugar, and egg whites only, leaving behind the egg yolks. Wedding cakes, on the other hand, can be made with whole eggs, and are often flavoured with almond.
Because there are no egg yolks included in the recipe, white cakes often taste less sweet than other cakes. Egg yolks contain fat, which gives cakes a tender texture, and without them, white cakes can be slightly less tender. The lack of egg yolks also means that white cakes tend to be less sweet than wedding cakes, which can contain a lot of sugar.
White cakes are also often chosen for tiered wedding cakes because of their appearance and texture. The light colour of the cake allows for brightly coloured cakes, such as rainbow-coloured cakes, as the food colouring will be clearer and brighter than if the cake had its own colour.
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Wedding cakes are often moist and firm
White cakes are made without egg yolks, which affects the cake structurally. The lack of egg yolks means there is less fat to impede the cake's rise, and the cake is also slightly less tender than cakes made with whole eggs. White cakes tend to be less sweet than other cakes and a little fluffier.
White cakes are also made with cake flour, which includes corn starch, rather than all-purpose flour. This creates a lighter batter with a finer crumb. The batter is also thinner and more liquid than that of a yellow cake.
The white cake is a classic choice for weddings, and its structure is well-suited to this purpose. The reverse creaming mixing method can be used to make tiered cakes with a tighter crumb that will stand up to stacking.
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White cakes are best for tiered cakes
White cakes are best suited for tiered cakes, and there are several reasons why. Firstly, the colour. White cakes are made without egg yolks, which gives them their distinctive white colour. This makes them ideal for weddings, as white is associated with purity and was a symbol of wealth and sophistication in the Victorian era.
Secondly, the texture. White cakes tend to be less sweet and slightly less tender than cakes made with whole eggs. This is because they have less fat from the egg yolks, which also allows the cake to rise more easily. The reverse creaming mixing method can be used to make a tighter crumb that will stand up to stacking. White cakes also usually have a thin, liquid batter, which contributes to their light and fluffy texture.
Additionally, white cakes are very versatile and can be served at any occasion. They can be used as a base for brightly coloured cakes, such as a rainbow cake, as the white batter enhances the colours. White cakes are also simple and easy to bake, making them a convenient choice for tiered cakes.
Finally, white cakes are often paired with whipped white frosting, which complements their delicate, cloud-like texture. This combination creates a sophisticated and elegant look, making it ideal for tiered wedding cakes.
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Wedding cakes are traditionally flavoured with almond
White cakes are made with egg whites only, while wedding cakes may use whole eggs. However, the two are often conflated because white cakes are traditionally used for weddings. Wedding cakes are traditionally flavoured with almond, which is sometimes associated with the flavour of wedding cake.
White cakes became popular for weddings in the 19th century, when white sugar and flour, as well as chemical leaveners, became widely available. The colour white was considered a symbol of wealth and purity. White cakes are also structurally different from other cakes because they lack egg yolks, which affect how much the cake rises and its tenderness.
Almond-flavoured wedding cakes are usually light on the almond, and often include sour cream as the fat. They are also typically made with real butter, cake flour, and high-quality eggs. They are often described as moist, firm, and white.
Mary Todd Lincoln's white almond cake was a celebrated cake during the period of Abraham Lincoln's presidency.
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Frequently asked questions
White cake is made with egg whites only, while wedding cake can be made with whole eggs.
Egg whites give white cakes their distinctive colour.
White cakes are less sweet than vanilla wedding cakes, which use whole eggs and vanilla extract. White cakes are also fluffier, while wedding cakes are firmer and moister.
Wedding cakes can be any flavour, but traditionally in some regions, they are white and almond-flavoured.
White cakes are also used for christenings and wedding anniversaries.