Is it basically just like a Christmas cake, with marzipan and icing? All the weddings I have ever been to they have had sponges but I wanted a traditional rich (brandy soaked!) fruit cake. Is this the traditional way?
2007-03-28 07:44:40 · 12 answers · asked by JoJi 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Traditional is a fruit cake because it lasts. It is also easier to marzipan and ice and stack. It needed to last because it was also traditional to save one of the tiers as the Christening cake for the 1st born (probably because during the war it was economical). If you make the sponge variety you have to make, decorate and serve within a few days. It is also very soft so covering it is more difficult as it doesn't hold it's shape - also you can't send to relatives/friends who can't share your day. Fruit cake rules for weddings!
2007-03-28 10:45:37 · answer #1 · answered by nanaangela 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In essence, yes it is as you describe but I would suggest that you try a number of different rich fruit cake recipes before deciding which one to go for as some turn out moister than others. It is also useful if you can find a recipe which lists the ingredients for different sized cakes. You may need to "go up a size" if you want a deeper cake. Generally speaking most good cake decorating books offer this. I have made many wedding cakes over the years and my preferred way of adding the alcohol is before cooking - I weigh out the dried fruits the night before mixing the cake and add the brandy/rum/etc to this, giving a thorough stir. Cover with clingfilm and leave overnight. This way the fruit absorbs the flavour of the alcohol well and is then evenly distributed throughout the cake. It also plumps up the fruit a little which leads to a moister cake. If you would like a more luxurious fruit cake consider replacing some of the currants, raisins etc with chopped apricots. Delicious! For a good flat top to each tier I use the base of the cake as the top and fill any gaps at the base with marzipan. Sounds daft but use a spirit level to make sure that each tier is level (make sure that your tabletop is level as well before checking your cake level). If you are intending to have pillars between each tier I would suggest that you do use 8mm dowelling to support the weight of the tier above - the length of the dowel should be equal to the depth of the cake plus the height of the pillar. This needs to be carefully checked for each pillar being used on each tier and the longest measurement used so that the cake sits level. The dowel is placed into the cake and the pillar over it (use an 8mm thick knitting needle to make the holes in the cake). Use cake drums rather than cake boards to put your cakes on as these will offer much better support to you finished cake. When it comes to transporting your cake, place each in a covered box on its own and place on eiher the floor of the vehicle or flat in the boot. Do not place on the seats as these are angled and you run the risk of damaging the side decoration of you creation. I hope some of this has been of use. Good luck and enjoy
2007-03-28 11:40:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, traditionally at least one tier would be a rich fruit cake that has been spiked with brandy and another would be madeira. There are so many options now of whatever cake you want, chocolate, madeira, carrot cake, fruit cake, coffee, cherry etc and most good cake designers will offer you a range of options to choose from.
2007-03-28 10:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by Daisy the cow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i have made 6 wedding cakes since october. and two of them had,two tiers of fruit and one of sponge.and yes use a christmas cake recipe,but once a week give the cakes a little drop of brandy.it helps preserve, the cake,and the flavour is grand.and if you keep a tier for the first born,just strip it of the icing and make into a christening cake.my son and daughter in law were married 4 yrs, before they had my grandson,and i did the wedding cake then turned it into a cake for the christening.
2007-03-29 11:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutly yes! I live with my 94 year old great aunt and she had her wedding cake soaked in brandy as well! Make sure that you have it exactly as you want so that you can enjoy your wedding to the fullest extent! congrats!
2007-03-28 07:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by Danielle♥Elise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes that's the traditional way. Sponge is nothing new though, just a cheaper option. So go for what you want, it's your day & you only get it ONCE!
2007-03-28 10:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the cake you want, and enjoy your day we made loads of fairy cakes with coloured icing for our wedding cake!
2007-03-28 07:52:52 · answer #7 · answered by Will S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's just like Xmas cake,
only the trimmings are different.
2007-03-28 07:52:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you are correct it is basically fruit cake
2007-03-28 08:06:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's your day you have what ever your heart desires. Also you can have 2 cakes- a bride and a groom's.
2007-03-28 07:48:48 · answer #10 · answered by Global warming ain't cool 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋