Creative wedding cakes are becoming increasingly popular with the influence of Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter along with the growing popularity of cake and cupcake TV shows. More and more people are getting excited about having the most beautiful and decked out cake as the centerpiece and focal point of their wedding receptions. One topic of concern however is what type of wedding cake to choose, buttercream or a fondant covered cake. Here we will examine the the features and possible drawbacks of each cake so you can ultimately pick the best option for your wedding.
A variable that comes to mind when choosing between a buttercream and fondant cake is the weather, or setting the cake will have to sit in. Some wonder if a buttercream cake will hold up in a warm or humid environment, and while you should speak with your cake decorator to get their expert advice, for the most part a buttercream frosted cake should hold up even in warm or humid conditions. There are many recipes for buttercream frosting, and some include ingredients that will allow the frosting to set and harden a bit, which should prevent the frosting from melting in warm conditions. Most traditional buttercream frosting will have the consistency of chilled butter if left in a cool environment, and if left in a warm environment, the frosting will be smooth and creamy, like a butter spread. If you do decide on a buttercream cake and are worried about your frosting melting, you can choose to have your cake cutting ceremony at the beginning of your reception. Once the cake cutting has taken place your cake can either be taken away immediately if the temperature is too warm, or if not you can leave the cake on display for a while longer until you feel it's time to serve.
Taste is often a factor when deciding on a fondant cake or a buttercream cake. Cake decorators and bakeries often do things differently so you will want to consult with them to see the specific fondant cake options they offer, but for the most part all fondant cakes usually have a layer of buttercream frosting underneath the fondant. Fondant is much thicker than frosting and has a chewy texture which can sometimes throw people off upon taking their first bite of cake. Fondant also is known to have an acquired flavor, not that it necessarily tastes bad, but some actually don't like the flavor and consistency combination of fondant. Fondant does however come in several flavors, the most popular being vanilla, chocolate and dark chocolate. As far as decorating options fondant offers a much larger variety of options, however when it comes to flavor buttercream definitely "takes the cake." Buttercream frosting can pretty much be flavored to any flavor of your liking, the possibilities are endless. You can also keep in mind that many people will often peel the fondant off and eat the rest of the cake, which can be frosted with any flavor frosting of your choosing anyways.
When deciding on a cake appearance is usually a big factor, and often people wonder if a buttercream frosted cake will achieve the same look of smoothness as a fondant covered cake. The answer is most likely yes, that a buttercream cake can be made to look just as smooth, especially with a highly skilled decorator. With a layered cake, buttercream's edges will look much sharper than a fondant covered cake. Many prefer this cleaner look however if the sharper edges concern you, a decorative frosting can be piped along the edges to take away the sharp look. A very popular trend is to decorate wedding cakes with flowers. If there happen to be any non-smooth portions of a buttercream frosted cake an elaborate flower arrangement will be able to hide any blemishes.
The factor that it sometimes boils down to is the cost of the cake. Fondant cakes can be far more expensive than buttercream cakes for many reasons. Many bakeries choose to purchase fondant rather than make it themselves because it can be hard to produce and also rough on machinery. Fondant is actually quite expensive itself and contributes to the more expensive cost. Also, fondant is harder to work with than buttercream and requires a higher level of expertise to work with. Also, the more elaborately decorated fondant cakes take much more time to decorate than buttercream which also adds to the cost. All in all buttercream cakes are generally much cheaper than fondant cakes.
Keep your options open and an open mind about your wedding cake. Talk to your cake decorator to get their expertise on what type of cake will best suit your needs. Either way, both cakes can be elaborately decorated and flavored for an unforgettable wedding cake experience.
A variable that comes to mind when choosing between a buttercream and fondant cake is the weather, or setting the cake will have to sit in. Some wonder if a buttercream cake will hold up in a warm or humid environment, and while you should speak with your cake decorator to get their expert advice, for the most part a buttercream frosted cake should hold up even in warm or humid conditions. There are many recipes for buttercream frosting, and some include ingredients that will allow the frosting to set and harden a bit, which should prevent the frosting from melting in warm conditions. Most traditional buttercream frosting will have the consistency of chilled butter if left in a cool environment, and if left in a warm environment, the frosting will be smooth and creamy, like a butter spread. If you do decide on a buttercream cake and are worried about your frosting melting, you can choose to have your cake cutting ceremony at the beginning of your reception. Once the cake cutting has taken place your cake can either be taken away immediately if the temperature is too warm, or if not you can leave the cake on display for a while longer until you feel it's time to serve.
Taste is often a factor when deciding on a fondant cake or a buttercream cake. Cake decorators and bakeries often do things differently so you will want to consult with them to see the specific fondant cake options they offer, but for the most part all fondant cakes usually have a layer of buttercream frosting underneath the fondant. Fondant is much thicker than frosting and has a chewy texture which can sometimes throw people off upon taking their first bite of cake. Fondant also is known to have an acquired flavor, not that it necessarily tastes bad, but some actually don't like the flavor and consistency combination of fondant. Fondant does however come in several flavors, the most popular being vanilla, chocolate and dark chocolate. As far as decorating options fondant offers a much larger variety of options, however when it comes to flavor buttercream definitely "takes the cake." Buttercream frosting can pretty much be flavored to any flavor of your liking, the possibilities are endless. You can also keep in mind that many people will often peel the fondant off and eat the rest of the cake, which can be frosted with any flavor frosting of your choosing anyways.
When deciding on a cake appearance is usually a big factor, and often people wonder if a buttercream frosted cake will achieve the same look of smoothness as a fondant covered cake. The answer is most likely yes, that a buttercream cake can be made to look just as smooth, especially with a highly skilled decorator. With a layered cake, buttercream's edges will look much sharper than a fondant covered cake. Many prefer this cleaner look however if the sharper edges concern you, a decorative frosting can be piped along the edges to take away the sharp look. A very popular trend is to decorate wedding cakes with flowers. If there happen to be any non-smooth portions of a buttercream frosted cake an elaborate flower arrangement will be able to hide any blemishes.
The factor that it sometimes boils down to is the cost of the cake. Fondant cakes can be far more expensive than buttercream cakes for many reasons. Many bakeries choose to purchase fondant rather than make it themselves because it can be hard to produce and also rough on machinery. Fondant is actually quite expensive itself and contributes to the more expensive cost. Also, fondant is harder to work with than buttercream and requires a higher level of expertise to work with. Also, the more elaborately decorated fondant cakes take much more time to decorate than buttercream which also adds to the cost. All in all buttercream cakes are generally much cheaper than fondant cakes.
Keep your options open and an open mind about your wedding cake. Talk to your cake decorator to get their expertise on what type of cake will best suit your needs. Either way, both cakes can be elaborately decorated and flavored for an unforgettable wedding cake experience.
About the Author:
To learn more about Oahu wedding consultant Lauren Ellis, visit her website at http://alohabridalconnections.com
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