Claremont Wedding Cake

Modern Stacked Wedding Cakes, Combination of fruit and plain, lemon or chocolate sponge or carrot cake.

Diamante's round each tier, bow and bead top piece.

2 Tiers from only £200

3 Tiers from only £275

4 Tiers from only £350

5 Tiers from only £425

Elegantly decorated wedding cake, Uk wide personal delivery service available, contact for details, top piece included for this wedding cake but may vary.

Wedding Cake History

The Wedding Cake

In Earlier times the wedding guests would supply the cakes by bringing a small bread or cake with them to the wedding.
These were stacked, as a sign of prosperity, so the bride and groom could kiss over them for good luck.
The bride and groom today cut the first slice of wedding cake as a symbol of unity.

Traditionally the top tier of the wedding cake is kept for their first anniversary or as a christening cake for their first child.

In roman times the tradition was to throw small wheat cakes at the bride, as a symbol of fertility.
This changed to breaking the wheat cakes over the bride’s head and the bride and groom would eat the crumbs.

Guests then scrambled for the pieces of Cake in hope to secure good luck for themselves
The European tradition in Wedding cakes is mostly white, as a symbol of purity.
Wedding cakes in other cultures are often more colourful.

The Grooms Cake

This cake has been around from the Middle Ages, usually dark, solid and much smaller than the Wedding Cake. It is traditional served at the reception besides the white-tiered Wedding Cake, making a beautiful contrast of colour, taste, texture and design.

A Grooms Cake is also packed into slices ahead of time for guests to take home and for others who could not attend, so they may celebrate the couple’s good fortune.
It is also said that if a single guest puts a piece of Grooms Cake under their pillow, they will dream of their future marriage partner.

Now wedding cakes come in a wide choice of shapes and colours, they are far removed from the traditional bread and cakes of long ago.

Wedding cakes can be designed in square, round, heart, oblong, diamond, rectangle shapes or even different combinations of shapes.

For a long time the traditional wedding cake was made from a rich fruit cake covered in marzipan and icing, more and more couples are opting for less traditional wedding cakes, having sponge tiers incorporated instead of fruit.

More and more couples are having a main themed cake with one or even two cutting tiers instead of the traditional tiered wedding cakes.

source by : www.cakesbyann.co.uk/

Beach Wedding Cake Toppers

Beach Wedding Cake Toppers

Beach weddings confer cake designers bounty of space along with the opportunity to work out their ingenuity. Beach wedding cake toppers might include dolphins, seahorses, mermaids or lighthouses. For every theme and distinctive weddings, you can put these beach wedding cake toppers. If you are having a beach wedding, there are numerous cool beach favors on the market.

The beach wedding is a big experience in which you’ve got bounty of alternatives. If you love to craft things and aiming to accumulate money, there are loads of cool and striking beach wedding cake toppers you can make by hand. Some you can gobble, some you can swallow and some you can slather all over yourself, and some cast a romantic radiance.

Tropical paradise bride beach wedding cake toppers would be perfect for your tropical-themed or casual backyard wedding reception. This topper is the ideal touch. With dressed in sporty, yet pleasing to the eye wedding attire, this cheerful couple is taking a relaxing, barefoot stroll. It’s an uncomplicated, fresh approach to the traditional cake topper. This beach wedding cake topper will make a heartwarming keepsake that you and your family will love for years.

Glass tropical fish cake topper consisting tropical fish will be a charming cake topper for your beach and ocean theme wedding. This beach wedding cake topper is made of hand blown or hand crafted glass with gold plating. Like most of our cake toppers this cozy sculpture will make an exceptional table decoration as well.

Glass lighthouse with sailboat cake topper is such type of beach wedding cake topper which will surely complete your nautical or ocean themed wedding. Following to your sail away into the sunset after your ceremony, this beach wedding cake will be the perfect memento of your special day.

Dolphin hand blown glass cake topper is another from the range of beach wedding cake topper. Really, this is a startling cake topper which features a pair of bottle nosed dolphins crafted of fine, hand-blown glass touching noses. This good-looking beach wedding cake topper is perfect for beach or ocean themed weddings.

Glass Palm tree types of beach wedding cake toppers are perfect for any tropical destination wedding. This particular beach wedding cake topper will look brilliant sitting on top of your cake. You might continue the tropical theme and place the palm tree on each reception table.
by: Bill Hansen

Army Wedding Cake Toppers

Army Wedding Cake Toppers

For scores of couples getting married today are no longer hurdled by the customs and traditions. They keep a safe distance from the likes of arrangements for their parents' wedding. Now they are able to plan a wedding that very much suits their own personalities and lifestyles. You will come across with couples who are planning a military wedding.

The foundation of a military wedding is no dissimilar to any traditional white wedding in terms of the format as well in reception. In military wedding, your wedding cake and toppers could be the potential areas where you can still be more than a little creative.

Often you might find your cake studded with an aircraft carrier or a Hercules shaped army wedding cake toppers. To make it a focal point of your reception, you must go with the aircraft carrier designed army wedding cake topper. You are best suited to an army wedding cake topper which is big enough to feed your assembled guests. On other occasion, you could opt a cake that you like in terms of flavor and color. To mark such a grand day, sticking with a fairly conventional shape when many army wedding cake toppers available today, is not a good idea altogether.

Picking a brand new custom made army wedding cake toppers could be a nice solution to your problem. Being hand made from porcelain, if the wedding is sooner than 2 weeks, these are just the perfect piece. You will required no base as it can be directly fix on the cake. Army wedding cake toppers showcasing nuptial, in the company of two sabers crossed and put at the back of the couple would be ideal.

Marine cake topper could be a viable option in the case of a person who calls themselves marines. This excellent porcelain cake topper cold be the wonderful finishing touch for your army wedding. In this type of army wedding cake toppers, the dapper groom is wearing his dress blues; his blushing blonde bride in her tulle veil is holding a white bouquet.
by:Bill Hansen

African American Wedding Cake Toppers

African American Wedding Cake Toppers

Cross border marriages have grown many folds in the last decade or so. The swiftness at which the mode of wedding décor is shifting, it seems that skin ensign are no longer the same enigma what we faced in past. This impressive rise in such marriages is a very path-breaking mode of colors and ethnically inspired wedding themes for coming years. This freshness in the society with inspired ideas, colors, and concepts are just great for weddings. With such a remarkable growth, cake toppers are feeling the pinch as well. Growing demand of African American wedding cake toppers have outnumbered many other available toppers.

In view of the fact that every bridal couple is incomparable, you can mix and match them with African American wedding cake toppers. Such cake toppers make a perfect cake top for interracial, multiethnic wedding. Along with the African American wedding cake toppers, you might further ask for Asian American, Caucasian, and Hispanic American or dark complexion cake side statuettes. Afterwards, you could spot your multiethnic couple on the base. To make it even more rosy, a bouquet of shiny and matte roses can connect the wedding duo by their hands.

African American wedding cake toppers with side statuettes can be put only next to the wedding cake, or used as a centerpiece cherish from that special day. In such African American wedding cake toppers, all Brides wear a white, strapless gown and netting veil with trim. The veils ribbon-edged tulle in Caucasian Bride has light brown hair while the rest comprise black hair.

In the African bride cake topper, you might see the bride in her white wedding gown ready for her ceremony. Such African American wedding cake toppers, if you placed on top, you can be assured of a beautifully decorated wedding cake top. African American wedding cake toppers can be personalized to look just like what you wish.
by:Bill Hansen

Animal Wedding Cake Toppers

Animal Wedding Cake Toppers

Swan cake topper comes among the animal wedding cake toppers. Through these types of animal wedding cake toppers, you might find a depiction of a bride and groom riding in a graceful white swan on the day of their wedding. This could well be the perfect cake topper for your romantic celebration. Furthermore, such animal wedding cake toppers are collectible figurines that you will cherish long after the special day is over.

Glass tropical fish cake topper might be a charming cake topper for your beach and ocean theme wedding. These types of animal wedding cake toppers are made of hand blown or hand crafted glass with gold plating. Like most of animal wedding cake toppers, this sculpture will make an excellent table decoration as well.

Double tiered glass dolphin cake topper might offer you a traditional wedding feel with its lacy white skirt with white roses. In such animal wedding cake toppers, dolphins rise above the lace as if jumping out of the ocean. These particular type of animal wedding cake toppers are really great for those wanting to mix a beach and ocean theme with the feel of a more traditional wedding.

A hummingbird on heart with rose glass cake topper depicts two hummingbirds kiss a rose with a heart in the background. This cake topper is wonderful for a red roses themed wedding. John Deere bride and groom tractor cake topper is such a wonderful and precious piece which is designed just for the bride and groom. In such animal wedding cake toppers, each piece has terrific details and vivid colors and makes great use as a cake top or decoration.

Lovebirds on pink rose glass cake top will definitely polish wedding cake and will look particularly classy on a smaller sized cake tier. When you put such animal wedding cake toppers, your guests are certain to comment on this lovely piece of art with its hand-crafted glass accents.

Dolphin glass cake topper is a stunning cake topper which encompasses a pair of bottle nosed dolphins crafted of fine, hand-blown glass touching noses. With the putting of such animal wedding cake toppers, you are surely making your wedding a delightful experience altogether.
By: Bill Hansen

Cheap Wedding Cake Toppers

Cheap Wedding Cake Toppers

Motivation for cheap wedding cake toppers can crop up from anywhere. As tradition is changing rapidly, no longer it is necessary to have a miniature bride and groom on the top. Just keep in mind that how heavy the cake topper is going to be, as it will be sitting on top of your cake. To avoid any hassles and if you don't want it to sink or topple, try to keep it light. In case, if you buy cake topper from the baker who is making your cake, it could be more expensive. Try to shop around for cheap wedding cake toppers if that is what you want. You are supposed to save yourself from spending some extra money.

If you were into motorbikes or vintage cars, then model shops selling cheap wedding cake toppers would be a good place to look. In cheap wedding cake toppers, ornaments for the top of the cake are great. They could be the accurate size and you could have some fun figurines or more traditional - whichever is more you or your theme.

Cheap wedding cake toppers often found with Barbie and Ken as they have been used as cake toppers. A floral cake topper could be a viable option as a cheap wedding cake topper. Cheeky cake topper forms the series of cheap wedding cake toppers as it is completely handmade cake topper which features the cute bride holding flowers and handsome groom with top hat, both sporting cheeky grins.

Ducks cuddling with flower are really a very cute and made from resin, so they are a keepsake from your wedding. Ducks holding hands pose and ducks holding heart are some other form of cheap wedding cake toppers. These cake toppers are ideally suitable for those who do not want to spend lavishly on these sorts of stuffs. You could get the same work with so much reduced cost.
by:Bill Hansen

Cinderella Wedding Cake Toppers

Cinderella Wedding Cake Toppers

Caucasian bride and groom might be placed among the Cinderella wedding cake topper which is the most popular wedding cake top. This stunning small sculpture is vigilantly painted and delicately crafted of resin. In this Cinderella wedding cake topper, the bride has dark blonde hair while her dress and headpiece are white with a dash of sparkling white detailing.

Magically ever after Disney wedding couple will surely capture the magic of your wedding. This could well be an enchanting keepsake of your unforgettable day as this sweetheart statuette contains a newly wed couple in a loving embrace.

Glass pumpkin fairy tale carriage is such Cinderella wedding cake topper which carries
a horse who pulls a pumpkin carriage. It is near perfect for a fairy tale wedding and your guests will be in awe as they see your cake decorated in a fairy tale theme.

In the classic bride and groom type of Cinderella wedding cake topper, Cinderella and prince depict a timeless image of love. It's the ideal intonation for your wedding day furnishings. If you’re a nostalgic and just looking for a unique way to spruce up your celebration, this Cinderella wedding cake topper will be good then. This figurine gets us an opportunity to see the classic image of Cinderella and Prince Charming dancing together at the ball.

Cinderella glass castle wedding cake topper features gold accents, stunning artisanship and luxurious ruffles of lace and flower ribbons. If you are certain enough to put it onto the very top of your cake, then this will make a stunning center piece or cake topper for your wedding reception.

Spun glass Cinderella carriage and horses is another Cinderella wedding cake topper in which four glass horses pull a beautifully hand spun glass wedding coach in this remarkable glass piece. Ornamented with fine-looking gold accents and stunning detail, this piece will make exactly the cake top you were looking for.
by:Bill Hansen

Crystal Wedding Cake Toppers

Crystal Wedding Cake Toppers

Never assume your wedding cake as merely a dessert; rather it could be the grand finale of your wedding day. It must be as striking as well as luscious. To get the admiration from your guests, dress up your wedding cake with some brilliant crystal wedding cake toppers. These are truly remarkable as well as show stoppers and designed for simple to elaborate cakes for any occasion from anniversary celebrations to birthday parties.

Once you have decided about your cake to hog the limelight together with design and flavor, then you can go along with the crystal wedding cake toppers. Since a very long time, these crystal wedding cake toppers have been a wedding tradition in many countries. With putting such crystal wedding cake toppers, you might easily capture the imaginations of your guests.

Really, wedding could be the perfect juncture to pick something exceptional that reflects you, your style, and personal preference. From the wide range of these wedding cake toppers, you might opt according to your choice to mark your wedding in an entirely different way.

Crystal accented cake toppers are adorned with dazzling Swarovski crystals. These crystal wedding cake toppers, coupled with crystal letters will surely add class and style and give you the look you've always dreamed of for your wedding cake cutting ceremony. Wedding cuts crystal toppers are an economical and a tailored made alternative to monogram wedding cake jewelry toppers.

Crystal wedding cake toppers will furnish you with the ability to customize your unique one of a kind monogram cake topper. These cake toppers with several finishes, sizes and thicknesses are truly works of art and are each hand-decorated with your color choice of Swarovski crystals. Vibride crystal wedding cake toppers with crystal colors is a unique wedding cake topper.

Crystal wedding cake toppers which are made up of rhinestones are not considered good enough to truly signify your party. Rather, crystal wedding cake toppers which use only the most beautiful flat back Swarovski crystals, are really worth decorating items. To make your cake top more dazzling, you must pick up the latter one.
by: Bill Hansen

Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

Custom wedding cake toppers with bride and groom and their son might just be the perfect pick for any wedding ceremony. Such type of cake toppers can be incorporated into the wedding cake as it will add further charm to your cake. It is rightly said that what could be more precious in any marriage than a child? So custom wedding cake toppers with such design, riding on the surfboard with mom and pop along with their kid is a grand setting.

Hokie bird wedding cake topper is another custom wedding cake topper. Being a famous football team mascot, it depicts the couple's romance which is deeply intertwined with their years at Virginia Tech. No matter what phase of your relationship you wish to focus upon can be represented through your custom wedding cake toppers.

Hockey wedding cake topper could well be the other custom wedding cake topper as it could bring you a little ice time which may be refreshing. If you are supposed to marry somewhere near the drizzling time, you could well opt for this type of custom wedding cake toppers. Such wedding cake topper, with your darling team logos, if incorporated into their wedding cake, could make a good sense.

Anniversary wedding cake topper might be the key custom wedding cake topper as it denotes the very old memorable past. By seeing it onto the top of your cake, you might feel a sort of amazement and will realize that how far since it’s been running?

Beach wedding cake topper would remind you if you had been married by the ocean or on the beach. Really it would have been an idyllic location for sure and through this custom wedding cake topper, you might be forced to get back to your past.

Enough said.

There is nothing like a custom designed wedding cake topper that you could use for the rest of your life and pass on to your children for their wedding day.
by:Bill Hansen(/span>

Disney Wedding Cake Toppers

Disney Wedding Cake Toppers

Your wedding could be the appropriate time to make your guests smile with some fun giving wedding cake toppers and novelty figurines. At the same time as your guests walk into the reception room one of the first things that they will see will be your fabulous wedding cake. In that case, what better way can there be to kick things off than to have one of the numerous Disney wedding cake toppers available to raise a laugh and get your guests talking.

Now things are changing rapidly as in past we used to see the traditional wedding cake with a round three tiered white cake decorated with white or pastel colored flowers. With putting of Disney wedding cake toppers, along with the guests, kids are sure to derive pleasure from these sorts of stuffs. Surely, Disney wedding cake toppers could be only available way to bring a very light moment to your grand occasion.

You will capture the magic of your Disney wedding with this charming precious ever after figurine. Disney wedding cake toppers of such extent could be an enchanting keepsake of your unforgettable day, this darling figurine features a newly wed couple in a loving embrace. Disney wedding cake toppers with ceramic figurine could well be a delightful memento of your Disney theme wedding and fairytale ending.

Disney wedding cake toppers might also include Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed up in wedding clothes, ready for their vows. Mickey might be having a black formal tuxedo while you must locate Minnie is in a pearl white wedding dress. In such Disney wedding cake toppers, her veil is full and flowing almost to the floor.

In such Disney wedding cake toppers, she carries half dozen roses, and her dress is trimmed with pearl-like balls along the edges. This Disney wedding cake topper containing a figurine is perfect for the top of a wedding cake, as a present for newlyweds, or as a beautiful figurine for you to own and show proudly. Arguably, this is one of the most stunning sets by Disney for any wedding seating.
by:Bill Hansen

Precious Moment Wedding Cake Toppers

Precious Moment Wedding Cake Toppers

Happily ever after cake topper is among the precious moment wedding cake toppers. Couples going after it to make it their choice are more than willing to show their strong and intimate sharing of a bond. This figure suggests that the couple will definitely live happily ever after. Such precious moment wedding cake toppers are reminiscent of fairy tales. Bride in this figure with her ruffled, flowing gown and jeweled crowns, shows a charm and vigor to imply commitment and understanding.

I give you my love forever true is such another magnificent precious moment wedding cake topper in which the adorable bride and groom are shown exchanging vows in the piece. If put onto the top of the cake, that will swiftly become a ceremony favorite. Consequently, whether you are putting it as a cake top or adding it to your collection, this part of a set will surely lay a hand on your life for years to come.

Musical Heart Cake top is a delightful piece, with the precious moment’s couple on top, is the faultless topper from the range of precious moment wedding cake toppers. With the touching and sentimental words, this particular piece makes an amazing souvenir to pass on. This precious moment wedding cake topper has fascinated the hearts of countless and will carry on for long time to come.

Till the end of time is a precious moment wedding cake topper which is made up of porcelain. With special touches like a real fabric veil, this passionate and romantic ornament is a memento of the attractive vows shared when two hearts become one. In this precious moment wedding cake topper, the bride and groom somberly hold hands, looking ahead to their future from this day forward.

Can I Have This Dance is a precious moments wedding cake topper which informs us that the marriage is like a ultimate dance, so slow down and enjoy each delightful step. This piece presents an appealing means to assure your love forever. Such precious moment wedding cake toppers will readily make a great wedding gift or as a cake topper for your special day.

In bless you type of precious moment wedding cake toppers, a groom carries his bride across the threshold. Use this wonderful porcelain figurine from the precious moment wedding cake toppers, to make an enjoyable wedding cake topper or collectible figurine for any couple.
(by:Bill Hansen)

Choosing The Best Wedding Cake For Your Big Day

Choosing The Best Wedding Cake For Your Big Day

After all, the wedding cake is the centerpiece of the wedding reception, and certainly the most important of all foods at the wedding.

A wedding cake, after all, is much more than a dessert; it is a memento of a very special day, and how the wedding cake looks is just as important as how it tastes.

Choose A Baker Who Is Known For Their Quality Of Cakes

That does not mean, of course, that the taste of the wedding cake has no consequence, and the wedding cake must first and foremost be a delicious dessert.

It is important to choose a baker who is known for his or her quality cakes, and also one who has experience supplying cakes for weddings.

Reviewing The Bakers Portfolio

When shopping for the perfect wedding cake it is important to look at the portfolio of the baker.

Any baker who has supplied cakes to weddings in the past should have an extensive portfolio of pictures showing those cakes in all their glory.

Not only will a glance at this portfolio of work give you a good idea of the skill of the baker but it may give you some ideas for the elements you want on your own wedding cake.

Choosing The Flavors For Your Wedding Cake

The flavor of the wedding cake is an important consideration as well.

While the traditional white wedding cake with white whipped frosting is still the most popular choice, these days there are a number of other flavor choices, including chocolate, strawberry and even orange.

In addition, there are a number of excellent filled wedding cakes that combine a variety of different flavors into one great package.

No matter what type of wedding cake you choose, however, it is important to get that wedding cake on order as quickly as possible.

The bakers who specialize in creating these wedding cakes are often very busy, and it is important to order that wedding cake as early as possible to make sure it is ready in time for the big day.

Choosing the perfect wedding cake can be a lot of fun, but it is important to give the choice of wedding cake the seriousness that it deserves.
by Shaunta Pleasant

Wedding Cake Activities

Upon arrival at the wedding reception, many guests head for the cake table so they can admire the cake. Some time later, the bride and groom come along for a picture opportunity and the grand cutting of the cake. Then everyone enjoys cake and it's gone. Believe it or not, there are many more activities that can make the wedding cake more about fun and less about tradition.

Of course, watching the bride and groom push cake into each other's mouths is a long-enjoyed tradition, but there are many more fun - and less messy - activities to consider as well.

One new option that's gaining popularity is to have cupcakes instead of a cake. This is a method that is usually more affordable than having a cake and it can be a lot of fun. Cupcakes are decorated in alignment with the wedding theme, just as a cake is, but the cupcakes are instead arranged on tiered cake plates and displayed on a cake table until it's time to eat them. The cupcakes can be simply handed out on plates to each wedding guest.

Now, what's fun about using cupcakes instead of a whole wedding cake is you can save money, certainly, as many reception halls and caterers charge a per slice fee to cut and serve the wedding cake, but you can also build activities into the cupcake presentation. For example, the cupcakes that are for the bride and groom can have a different decoration than the ones for the guests.

As an extra touch, you can have the baker include a special prize in one or several cupcakes. A small charm or tiny toy can be baked into the cupcake. Whoever gets the charm wins a special prize. These prizes can range from a gift basket or gift certificate to a restaurant to a dance with the bride or groom.

Some brides like to use a Southern tradition and have charms baked into the wedding cake. Similar to the idea above for cupcakes, this involves baking small charms or tiny toys (but usually charms) into the cake. Those who get one of the charms are said to have good luck. You might even consider having charm bracelet charms baked into the cake, which are then made into a charm bracelet for the bride.

Not everyone enjoys cake. How about an activity for those who won't be eating cake? They can be required to do the "Macarena" or the chicken dance during the time when everyone else is eating cake. If they manage to do the dance continuously while the other guests enjoy cake, they win a prize. Or they simply get to sit down, as now they are tired!

In keeping with the dance during cake theme, how about a requirement that in order to get cake, a guest must perform an impromptu dance first? Or there could be trivia questions about the bride and groom or about popular culture. Guests must correctly answer the questions before getting their cake. There could be competitions among tables or individuals for most questions answered correctly.

Many people believe that once the cake is cut, they are free to leave if they wish. Since cake cutting usually comes after the meal and after dancing and other traditional celebration activities, many people take the opportunity to leave the party after the cake is cut and enjoyed.

If the bride and groom want their guests to stay after the cake is eaten, it is worth some extra effort to build some activities into the cake-cutting event so people will stick around longer. This can be as simple as telling people not to leave, or can be more subtle and fun.

For example, each person could receive a slip of paper with his or her cake. These slips of paper could be prepared ahead and provided to the catering company with instructions that one folded strip of paper be placed on each plate with the cake. The paper might give an agenda for the rest of the evening or might ask its recipient to perform a little dance, to head over to give the groom or bride a kiss, or might ask them to take the flower girl out on the dance floor for a spin. The unknown will keep all the guests guessing and provide some entertainment as the instructions are carried out.

Free Cake Decorating Ideas

Free Cake Decorating Ideas

To start, select a cake to bake. Whether it's made from scratch or comes from a box, a cake's flavor dictates the look and taste of the cake's finished exterior. For instance, a carrot cake will likely have cream cheese frosting and simple orange colored mini-carrot designs on the cake, while a yellow cake's decorating possibilities are endless. You can choose virtually any frosting flavor from strawberry to lemon and your design choices can range from flowers to piped trim. Once you've chosen your cake and your frosting flavor, you'll be ready to start the decorating process. Creating cake designs and implementing your creativity starts simple and then proceeds to get more complex.

Frosting a cake can be messy, but it's the first step in the cake decorating process. While it can be difficult to ice a cake smoothly and completely, the following tips may help.

1). Let the cake cool after it bakes---giving the cake at least 30 minutes cooling time will help your frosting stick to the cake better, rather than melting and running out of control.

2). Using a whipped cream frosting will ease the decorating process---the whipped cream is not sticky like many store bought frostings so it can be applied more smoothly.

3). Always start with the corners--they hardest to frost. When it comes icing the sides of a square or rectangular cake, apply dollops on both sides

of a cake's corners and smooth the dollops over the corner.

4). Frost the sides of a cake with lots of icing and a steady hand. Remember to start icing with thin layers and then work your way up to thicker ones.

5). Apply dollops of icing in the corners and in the middle of the cake. Start in a corner on the top of the cake and connect the dollop dots until the entire top of the cake is covered with a thin layer of icing.

6). Make sure the knife only touches the frosting-not the cake. You'll likely get crumbs in your frosting if you let the knife touch the unfrosted cake.

7). Apply the icing thinly. If you apply thick layers of icing, it won't go on smooth and can appear lumpy.

8). More icing can be applied as necessary, but be careful not to smear the icing that you already applied. You never want cake crumbs to show through the frosting.

9). Use smooth, even strokes to spread the icing. If the icing is difficult to spread, try dipping your knife in hot water, which makes the icing melt a bit and thus become more manageable to spread.

To style the frosting once it's applied, try using your imagination and some handy kitchen tools. A fork can be dragged across the top of the cake to create a lattice effect or use a knife to make swirls along the top edges of

the cake. These techniques will texture the cake and can look innovative alone or when paired with colored icing. Icing can be colored with a few drops of food coloring or can be purchased at the store in pre-made colored and flavored varieties.

Icing can put the finishing touches on a cake for any occasion from a birthday to a wedding. Use thicker icing for decorative accents like flowers, balloons and any types of writing. Buy a decorating bag at any craft or food supply store and experiment with the different tips before you select a final design. A small round tip is ideal for writing; a large round tip or a half-moon tip can be used to trim a cake's edges. Other tips are available to help you specialize the looks of your cake tops. There are star tips, which are ideal for creating zigzags along a cake's border or for making stars and shells on the cake top.

A leaf tip will make perfect accents to any flower that adorns a cake. To make a flower, you'll need what baker's refer to as a nail, a plastic round surface with a stick under the round surface. This nail's flat, small top should be used to hold roses that are created for decorating. Use thick icing to make roses, daisies or other flowers and then refrigerate or freeze the nail to harden the roses, so that won't smudge when placed on the cake.

There are more simple ways to decorate a cake. The following ideas are starting points for kids and beginning cake decorators. After frosting the cake, try using stencils to create images on the cake. For example, a heart stencil can make a heart shaped outline on the cake, which can be filled in with cinnamon candies, or red colored sugar and trimmed with colored icing. Or you can try using cookie cutters in place of stencils and create large and small designs on the frosting.

Other toppings for design include nuts, coconut, sprinkles, rainbow or chocolate; non-pariels, either colored or white (on a dark colored frosting); gumdrops, which can be cut into designs or left whole. Fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries and peaches can adorn the sides and top cakes for natural look. Be careful to drain the fruits' natural juices before applying to the cake, or you risk letting the fruit juices run on the icing and bleed into the cake's decorations.

by Andrea Pereize

Modern Magic with a Contemporary Wedding Cake

Modern Magic with a Contemporary Wedding Cake

It is hard to define what exactly constitutes a modern wedding cake – although most
people agree that if you opt for a white tiered cake then you have gone the traditional route. Modern cakes are infused with fun and whimsy. They reflect the personalities and tastes of the couple instead of being just a sweet and pretty looking dessert. They are works of art that a cake designer has labored over – sometimes for days. The modern wedding cake is a magnificent marriage of creativity, taste explosions and unparalleled beauty. Here are some of the ways in which modern chefs have revolutionized the way we think about
wedding cakes…

Expanding Flavors
Cake flavors are no longer the plain offerings they were in the past and have (thankfully!) moved away from the brandied fruit cake confections they once were. Today the choice of flavors ranges from straight vanilla to banana, carrot, mango and strawberry to your choice of liqueurs. Wedding cakes can be made ice cream or mousses or even cheese cakes. Selecting what you want really hinges on your personal taste.

New Designs
Instead of the typical round or square cakes – designers are opting to use more varied shapes in the creation of contemporary wedding cakes. Some cakes are stepped instead of tiered, some are hexagonal and some are molded. Modern cakes also bear fabulous decorations including intricately made flowers, shells, beading, lace or ribbons.

Presentation
The way in which wedding cakes are presented has also changed. The stands are no longer a regular base but sometimes several delicate bases, sometimes they rotate or incorporate fountains or flowers in them. The more you are willing to spend the more ostentatious the presentation of the cake can be, however, no matter what you select the modern cake is sure to make a lasting impression on all who see and taste it.

source : wedding cake creation.com