Evening Wedding Cake Conundrum: Melting Away?

If you're planning an outdoor wedding, you might be concerned about your cake melting. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prevent this. Firstly, consider the type of icing you use. Fondant is generally better suited to warmer weather than buttercream, which is more likely to melt as it contains butter or shortening. If you don't like the taste of fondant, you could ask your baker to use a buttercream with a higher shortening content, as this has a higher melting point. You could also opt for a ''naked'' cake with no icing, or a chocolate cake, as these are less likely to melt. Another option is to keep your cake refrigerated until the last possible moment, only bringing it out when you're ready to cut it. If your wedding is in the evening, the cooler temperatures will also reduce the risk of your cake melting.

Buttercream vs fondant

If you're having an evening wedding, you may still need to consider the temperature when it comes to your cake. If your wedding is outdoors, or the venue is not air-conditioned, your cake could still be at risk of melting.

Buttercream is a mixture of butter and sugar, whipped together to create a soft, creamy consistency. It is rich in taste and can be adapted to suit a variety of flavours. It is ideal for piping and decorating with fresh flowers, and is perfect for a rustic, chic cake. It is also less expensive than fondant. However, buttercream is not great for sculpting and doesn't lie flat. It is also more susceptible to heat and humidity and is harder to transport.

Fondant is usually made from sugar, corn syrup and water, melted together. It has a very sweet taste and a gummy, clay-like texture. This makes it ideal for creating decorative elements such as shapes, patterns, flowers and ruffles. Fondant cakes have a polished, clean finish and are easier to transport. They also stay fresh in the fridge for days. However, fondant cakes require much more time and effort and are usually more expensive. Fondant is not ideal for piping and some people may not like the taste and texture, choosing to remove it before eating the cake.

If you're concerned about your cake melting, fondant is the better option. However, if taste is more important to you, buttercream is the way to go.

Refrigeration

If you're concerned about your wedding cake melting, refrigeration is a good option. Here are some tips to keep your cake in top condition:

Before the Wedding

• Consult your baker: Discuss your concerns about melting with your baker. They will be able to advise on the best type of icing or frosting to use, and may have specific recommendations for refrigeration and transportation.
• Refrigerate before the wedding: Keeping your cake refrigerated until the wedding day will help it stay fresh and reduce the risk of melting. If you're making the cake yourself, wrap the layers in food-service-grade plastic wrap and freeze them.
• Use certain types of icing: Some types of icing are more resistant to melting than others. Fondant, for example, holds up better in warm temperatures than buttercream. Neutral colours are also recommended, as dark colours may run in the heat.
• Avoid certain fillings: Fresh dairy products, such as cream cheese, whipped cream, or mascarpone, should be avoided if the cake will be left out at room temperature.

During the Wedding

• Keep the cake indoors: If possible, store the cake indoors, in a cool, air-conditioned room. This will help prevent melting and protect the cake from bugs.
• Set up the cake last minute: Have the cake delivered and set up as close to the reception as possible. This will reduce the time it is left out and minimise the risk of melting.
• Keep the cake in the shade: If the cake must be outdoors, ensure it is in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight. A canopy or tent can provide some protection from the sun.
• Transport the cake carefully: When transporting the cake to the venue, keep it refrigerated and ensure it is securely packaged to prevent damage or melting during transit.

After the Wedding

Refrigerate leftovers: If you have leftover cake, store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Wrap it loosely in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out or absorbing fridge odours.

Timing of delivery

Timing is crucial when it comes to delivering a wedding cake, especially if it's an evening wedding. Here are some tips to ensure the cake remains in perfect condition until it's time to cut it:

Delivery Time

It is recommended to deliver the wedding cake as close to the reception start time as possible, especially if it is an outdoor wedding or if the venue has no air conditioning. This reduces the risk of the cake melting or spoiling due to prolonged exposure to heat or humidity. If the cake is delivered earlier, ensure it is kept in a cool, shaded place, preferably indoors, until it is time to display it.

Cake Cutting Time

The timing of the cake-cutting also plays a significant role. Traditionally, the cake-cutting was the last event of the reception, signalling to guests that they could leave. However, nowadays, it often occurs earlier, towards the end of dinner and just before dancing begins. This timing serves as a subtle cue to older guests that they can depart whenever they're ready and won't miss any formalities.

Photographer and Catering Staff

Cutting the cake earlier also ensures that the photographer gets those precious moments on camera, especially if they are scheduled to leave before the end of the reception. It also makes slicing and serving easier for the catering staff. If the cake is cut before dinner, the staff can work on slicing it while the entrees are being served and then pass out pieces as a plated dessert before the dancing starts.

Display Time

If the cake is displayed for an extended period, it is more likely to melt or spoil, especially if it has buttercream frosting. Fondant is generally more stable in warmer temperatures, but even that can start to sweat or develop air pockets if there are significant temperature changes. To minimise these issues, have the cake delivered and set up as close to the reception start time as possible and keep it in a cool, shaded location until it's time to cut it.

Transportation

If the wedding is in a remote location and the cake needs to be transported, keep it in a box with dry ice to maintain a low temperature during transit. Once at the venue, set up each tier separately to avoid settling and filling issues due to jiggling during transport.

In summary, the key to successful wedding cake delivery and display is timing. By coordinating with the venue, caterers, and photographers, you can ensure the cake remains in optimal condition and becomes a memorable part of the celebration.

Cake covering

The type of icing you choose for your wedding cake can make a big difference in how well it holds up at an outdoor wedding. Fondant is often recommended for outdoor weddings as it holds up better in the heat than buttercream. However, some people do not like the taste or appearance of fondant. If you prefer buttercream, ask your baker about using a higher proportion of shortening, which has a higher melting point than butter. Swiss buttercream is also an option, though some sources say it will still melt if left out for more than a couple of hours.

Another option is to have a "naked" cake with no icing on the outside, or minimal icing. This can be a good choice for outdoor weddings as there is less risk of melting.

If you're set on having a chocolate wedding cake, be aware that chocolate and heat do not mix well, and the chocolate may start to sag if it gets too warm.

In addition to choosing a suitable icing, there are several other steps you can take to prevent your wedding cake from melting at an outdoor evening wedding:

• Keep the cake refrigerated until the last possible moment before serving.
• Set up the cake in a shaded area, making sure that no sun hits it.
• If possible, have the cake delivered or set up as close to the reception start time as possible, to minimise the time it is left out.
• Avoid placing any extra weight on the cake, such as gum paste flowers or fondant appliques, as this can increase the risk of melting or leaning.
• Use light colours for the icing and decorations, as dark colours will be the first to run in warm weather.
• Use edible wafer paper instead of sugar flowers, as these will not melt or wilt in the heat.
• If you are concerned about bugs or debris getting on the cake, consider having a canopy or tent set up over the cake table to provide shade and protection.

Filling

If you're concerned about your wedding cake melting, there are a few things to consider when it comes to filling. Firstly, it's important to choose a filling that will not spoil easily if left out at room temperature. Buttercream is a popular choice for wedding cakes, but it may not be the best option for an evening wedding, especially if it's a warm day. Buttercream is made with butter or shortening, which can melt and cause the cake to lean or topple. Fondant is often suggested as a better option for outdoor or warm-weather weddings as it holds up better in the heat. However, fondant can also be problematic in high temperatures, as it may cause air pockets to form under the cake's surface, leading to bulging.

If you have your heart set on a buttercream cake, there are a few things you can do to minimise the risk of melting. Choose a baker who uses a recipe with a higher shortening content, as this has a higher melting point than butter. Ask your baker to avoid placing any extra weight on the cake, such as gum paste flowers or fondant appliques, as this can also increase the risk of melting or leaning. If possible, keep the cake refrigerated until just before the reception and set it up in a shaded area, bringing it out only for the cake-cutting ceremony.

If you're concerned about the taste of fondant, you can opt for a "`naked`" cake with no outer icing, or a "`dummy`" cake with only a small real tier for cutting. This way, you can still have the look and taste of buttercream without the worry of melting. Another option is to use a combination of buttercream and fondant, with light buttercream scrollwork or sugar veil appliques.

Finally, consider the timing of your cake-cutting ceremony. If your cake is going to be outdoors or in a warm room, try to cut it earlier in the evening, preferably before dinner. This will minimise the amount of time the cake is left out and reduce the risk of melting.

Frequently asked questions