The Significance of the Wedding Cake

A wedding is never complete without a wedding cake. This is one of the highlights of a wedding reception. The bigger it is, the grander the wedding reception seems. But have you ever wondered where the tradition of wedding cakes came from?

Wedding Cakes in the Olden Times

Wedding cakes are said to have come from the great Roman Empire. Before cakes and icings were invented, wedding cakes were usually loaves of barley bread made especially for that occasion. The groom will eat a piece of the loaf and break the remaining loaf over the head of his bride. This signifies the groom's breaking of the virginal condition of the bride and his subsequent power and control over her.

Medieval England's version of a wedding cake is little sweet buns stacked high in front of the couple. The newlywed would then kiss over this huge pile. If done successfully, then it is said that the couple will have many children to come.

Wedding Cakes and Guests

The bride's pie was very popular during the 17th century. This is usually made up of sweet breads, mutton pie or mince pie that is to be shared by the guests. What makes this interesting is the glass ring that is hidden inside the pie. The lady who finds it is said to be the next one to marry.

The bride will pass a piece of cake through her wedding ring and distribute it among their guests. It was said that whoever sleeps with this piece of wedding cake under their pillow will see their future partners in their dreams.

White as the Color of Most Wedding Cakes

White has become a special color of wedding cakes for very obvious reasons as white signifies purity. But for practical reasons, most wedding cakes during the Victorian period were white not because it signifies purity but because ingredients for a colored icing were difficult to obtain. As refined sugar is its main ingredient, the whiter the wedding cake is, the more prosperous the family seems.

Modern Wedding Cakes

The cutting of the wedding cake is a tradition that we have witnessed a dozen times. The bride is the one who cuts the cake aided by the groom. Then they would feed each other a piece of cake from that first slice of the wedding cake. This symbolizes their commitment to one another and the promise that they would provide for each other. It is also said that the bigger the piece of cake fed to each other, the larger number of children that they will have in the future.

White is still the favorite color of the couple for their wedding cake, but other colors have been used as well to match the wedding gown or the motif of the wedding. Although single-layer wedding cakes are still popular, it is quickly being replaced by multi-tiered wedding cakes of two or even three layers. More detailed and elaborate designs are also seen in wedding cakes, adding elegance and unique personal touch to the wedding.

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Wedding Cakes For Different Settings

Weddings can take place just about any place you can think of. Typical western hemisphere weddings are held in churches with the receptions at a nearby restaurant or hotel. Some have them along the beach, while others dream of having them on top of a mountain or under a waterfall. The different places to hold a wedding is pretty much just limited by your imagination and creativity. We all know that wedding cakes are a staple for any wedding. Thus, having one or two for the occasion is a definite must. However, it should not necessarily be confined to the steep walls of tradition. You can decide to get a customized cake that will match the venue, location, or style of the wedding.

Let us say that you are going to get married along a pristine, pure white, sandy beach. What cake will best compliment your special moment in the sun (or at sunset for that matter)? You guessed it right! Beach wedding cakes are just the thing. Please do not be confused with the term and the reality of the cake. The cake does not have to made somewhere near the beach, or should its ingredients be taken from anywhere near there. What we are talking about is really the design of the cake. Beach cakes should have an ambiance of the beach. For example, if it so happens that you are getting married in Hawaii or you simply opt for a Hawaiian-themed wedding, the cake can be formed like a pineapple, a surf board, or a tiki!

What about a winter wedding? Well, maybe you should think about winter wedding cakes. You can buy these pre-designed or you can buy them customized to your specifications. If you go for personalization, you may want to make sure you include winter characters like penguins, reindeer, or snowmen. This is also a perfect time to use a snow globe with a bride and groom inside as a very cool wedding cake topper.

As we have previously discussed, the theme and setting you can choose for your wedding is virtually endless. Because of this, the vast amount of different types of cakes for weddings are endless too. When choosing a cake, you want to be sure it enhances or adds to the setting, venue, or ambiance so that everything will fall into proper place for your special celebration.

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Get Creative with Birthday Cake Decorations

Each year your lovely child has a birthday and yet again you have to find the best birthday cake and birthday cake decorations. Even if you have made up your mind to prepare the cake by yourself, you still have to make the most important decision – choose the proper birthday cake decorations. Of course, there are hundreds of themes available. Even though it might sound like something very difficult, don’t give up hope and give it a shot. You will see that it is not that hard to decorate a cake beautifully.

If you are not much of a cook and making a masterpiece is way out of your possibilities, then you should go with a sheet cake. There is a great variety of birthday cake decorations that you can use. If you are making a sheet cake you might use the balloon cake theme. This idea is quite easy, so take advantage of it. Once you have the baked, cooled and frosted sheet cake, all you need to do is frost eight or nine colourful cookies and place them on the dessert. If you add the string for the balloons and a tube of icing and you will have everything you need for a great party.

You can find many both amusing and creative cake decorations. Just visit the local discount store and get some volcanoes and dinosaurs, add more colouring to your already baked cake. You can create a prehistoric landscape on your birthday cake. I am sure your kids will love these birthday cake decorations as children are interested in creatures and animals.

There are many other specific party themes you can use, as well. One of the greatest is the farm cake idea. It is really suitable when you are partying out in the country. Try to use some farm animal toy sets and classic brown fencing as birthday cake decorations and you will be amazed how great the cake will look like. Add some dyed frosting to create the ground and put all the toys on the surface. Put these lovely pigs and cows and you are ready for a big party!

You can also use a movie theme for your birthday cake. You can use your kids’ meal toys from fast food as birthday cake decorations. If you don’t have any of these, then you can go to your local toy shop and buy some small figures. If you want to make your cake look outer space it is a good idea to melt chocolate and pour it into molds such as stars and planets. These will be unique birthday cake decorations.

Apart from the above mentioned ideas, there are many others which you can use to make a great birthday cake for your children. If you are making another type of cake, not sheet cake, then you can use some of bright theme ideas from Thomas the Tank Engine to Lego theme. There are many wonderful birthday cake decorations which will make your cake a true masterpiece.

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How to Make an Old Fashion Delicious Coconut Birthday Cake

I have always loved coconut and as a child my mother would make them for my birthday. Naturally, when I saw this recipe, I was intrigued. My Mom always made me a coconut sheet cake but this cake is very good, too. This cake is filled with apricot preserves. You could change the preserves to the birthday boy or girl's favorite flavor. And a light touch of food coloring in the frosting could add to the presentation. It is a perfect cake for celebrations whether it be birthdays, anniversaries, showers, reunions, parties or just a family treat. If you like coconut, you just have to share this cake with your family and friends.

COCONUT BIRTHDAY CAKE

CAKE:
3 cups cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup margarine
1 lb powdered sugar
4 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut

Sift dry ingredients (first three) together and set aside. Cream butter and margarine until light and add powdered sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add well beaten egg yolks and beat again. Add flour alternately with milk and vanilla. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Fold in coconut. Bake in 9-inch layer pans (2 or 3) at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

WHIP CREAM FROSTING:
1 cup milk
3 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sweet butter
apricot preserves
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cook milk, flour, and salt until thick, stirring constantly. Cool well. Cream together butter, shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Combine with cooled milk and flour mixture, beat until smooth. When cake is cooled, split layers and spread with apricot preserves and frost with whip cream frosting.

Enjoy!

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