Buttercream Wedding Cakes

-- Buttercream Wedding Cakes --

Butter cream wedding cakes are delicious, gorgeous, and the most popular type of wedding cake!

A delightful blend of sugar, eggs, and butter, it results in a melt-in-your-mouth frosting which can be blended with a variety of flavors.

(Before we continue.. If you're interested in making your own wedding cake, there's an ebook that might be perfect for you! Its called Frosted Dreams, and its full of tons of info on decorating your own wedding cake. I definitely recommend taking a look!)

Butter Cream Vs. Fondant

Buttercream’s major opponent? Fondant. While butter cream is a classic way to finish a wedding cake, fondant is becoming more and more popular. Fondant is made from sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. It is known as being easy to work with – it’s rolled out in sheets and then molded around the cake. It’s also downright stunning. If you’re looking for more of a work of art than a decadent treat, you may wish to consider fondant. A skilled cake maker may be able to put a layer of butter cream under the fondant – and voila: you’ve got the best of both world. Other ways to incorporate the two? You can have a fancy “show” cake, with fondant icing, and then serve guests from a large, butter cream topped sheet cake. Its easier to serve, faster, and more economical. Or, have a groom’s cake made out of fondant and your main wedding cake out of butter cream. You can also have your cake filled with delicious Buttercream frosting but topped with fondant. Be creative, and don’t be afraid to incorporate the two frosting types!

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Buttercream Types

While traditional Buttercream is called “Classic” or “American” there do exist different types of Buttercream. Rolled Buttercream is similar to fondant, in that it is rolled into sheets and then molded around the cake. It has a smooth, elegant look, and decorators often find its’ smooth surface easy to decorate. It doesn’t have the same taste as traditional Buttercream, so be sure to have a taste test before choosing! There are also several types of meringue based Buttercream – ask your cake maker about this option as well, as it often holds up a little better in warmer climates.

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Buttercream Flavors

This creamy, smooth frosting comes in a variety of flavors. While chocolate and vanilla are the basics, you can have your cake maker flavor the frosting in nearly any flavor imaginable. Coffee, lemon, orange, and raspberry are all popular flavors. Buttercream can also be tinted to nearly any color, so you may wish to bring a few fabric swatches to show your baker the colors you are looking for.

Buttercream Uses

While Buttercream makes a delicious all-over frosting, it can also be used sparingly as décor. It is soft and easy to cut through, which makes it a popular choice for piping. It can be piped using a variety of different designs, and can create beautiful borders, flowers, or lettering. Buttercream can also be used in the interior of your cake as a filling. Consider mixing and matching two Buttercream flavors, such as raspberry and chocolate, to create your own unique combination.

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Beware of the Buttercream

Having an outdoor wedding, in the sun? Marrying on a hot summer day in the southern states? Be careful if you are having a Buttercream cake. Talk to your baker about weather conditions, where the cake will be stored, and what icings will hold up best for your specific needs. Buttercream is known as being quite finicky in hot weather, and you don’t want your frosting to melt!

Choosing your wedding cake is lots of fun. Don’t forget to bring hubby-to-be along to the cake testing – that’s one part of wedding planning he won’t be able to get enough of! Get to know your baker, ask lots of questions, and be sure to look through his or her portfolio for inspiration, as well as doing your own research. Together, you’ll be able to come up with the perfect cake! Don’t forget to relax on your wedding night and have a slice. After all, it’s your wedding day. You can have your cake – and eat it too!

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