60 Pounds of Wedding Cake
When a couple gets married, a wedding cake is usually in the plans. I offer a wide variety of flavors all being created from scratch. No boxed mixes, no confectionary sugar. While I admire the many creations from other bakers with the fondant skills of an artist, it just is not for me.
This past weekends cake was a monster. I made 7 double batches of Swiss buttercream, 8 double batches of cake batter, 4 double batches of lemon cream (much like lemon curd with a lighter texture) hundreds of fresh raspberries, and flowers I had to snitch from the garden since the wedding planner did not have the flowers I had requested. Let’s not forget the dowels that held this all in place for the 45 minute trip to the wedding venue. Phew!
Making a wedding cake is WORK! Everything needs to be balanced, perfectly iced, sturdy, photo worthy, and delicious. It also has to be cut 100+/- times and hold together. When you use pounds of butter that usually is not a problem. This takes hours!
I remember making my first cake for 110 guests. The wedding was being held at the Enfield NH Shaker Village. The cake was three massive tiers with no flowers on it. Meaning my edges and frosting skills had to be second to none. Nothing was hiding that tiny mark that only I noticed. I thought I would be sick watching the wedding staff bring the cake out to the table in the sun. It had a white chocolate Italian buttercream frosting. No worries…Right?? I got paid 100.00 for that cake that took hours to make and deliver. I chalk it up to a good deal for the bride and groom, great practice for me, and I no longer give a quote to anyone without taking time to think about it!!
When I started this venture the air would be “blue”. I worried about everything to the point my husband and kids would go outside and play for a bit until it was safe to enter the baking zone. Today the air is calm and collected. I am listening to the “Three Little Birds” Station. I find myself actually enjoying the experience, thinking of the bride and groom while I am creating. Looking forward to putting on the flowers, and watching it being brought out to the table. The moment you see the smiling couple cut their cake in front of families and friends. To watch their eyes as the love flows, when they taste the cake they talked about months ago. That’s when I know it was worth all the butter, all homemade vanilla, all the time and angst. Thats when I know I do something I love. Eat good food my friends! It is worth it!
