Archive for the ‘Cake’ Category
Best of Show…Halloween Style
Monday, October 31st, 2011
We love any occasion to celebrate around here at the Wedding Guide offices, and Halloween is no exception. For over a week we’ve had a sign-up sheet prompting us to commit to what tasty treats we were planning on bringing for our lunch day Trick-or-Treating soiree, and by the end of the week we had amended said sign-up sheet to include the phrase, “…we have permission to dress up!” Well, it is after lunch and we are all slightly bouncing off the walls from the sugar high that inevitably ensued. We are missing a couple of key people here today in the office, but completely understand when you decide to have your wedding anniversary on Halloween…ahhemmm…initials CK! How fun is that!
We eagerly pass on our enthusiasm to our social media community of brides and advertisers to show us how they are celebrating. And although we believe we will be getting more photo entries after tonight’s festivities, we thought we’d show you what we’ve received from two of our photographers, Cari Wible Photography and Robinwood Photography.
We’re so impressed with the Halloween themed morsels they both have created and generated photos for us. And who says you can’t incorporate a little spookiness into your own special couple pictures? If that’s your personal style, we say, “Go for it!” It really does make for a cool and unique kind of keepsake.
To quote one of our favorite movies, Steel Magnolias, “We’ve always wanted to throw a bridal shower with a monster motif.” For now however, we’ll settle for knowing about yours. Don’t forget to send us stories or comments about other themed showers or weddings you’ve attended or planned.
Everyone stay safe tonight and have a Happy Halloween from everyone here at the Wedding Guide.
Tags: cakes, candy, Photography, wedding ideas
Posted in Cake, food, Images, Inspiration, Photography | No Comments »
Vintage wedding at Palm Door
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011Take a look at this beautiful, vintage-inspired wedding at Palm Door with stunning photos by Now Fly Away. We especially love the unique cake from Austin Cake Studio, too!
Posted in Cake, Reception, Venue | No Comments »
Frosting is simply 'Icing on the cake'
Monday, June 13th, 2011
Don’t know your ganache from your galoshes? Before you begin looking for your dream wedding cake, here are some definitions to help you decide what best suits your needs.
Butter cream – This is a smooth, creamy butter-based icing that is generally used to ice the entire cake, giving it a traditional look. Butter cream is often used as the base icing, to which decorations can be attached. Butter cream is not overly sweet and can be giving a wide variety of fruit flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, lemon, hazelnut, coconut or any other fruit flavors. Butter cream is generally a good choice, and a good value. There is a difference in butter cream icings, however. Some bakers use only butter for the icing.
Some butter cream icings are made using a combination of butter and shortening or just shortening. These butter creams are generally not as smooth as butter cream using 100% butter, but they are less expensive and can be quite acceptable tasting, if not the same a pure butter cream.
Fondant – This icing is one of the most popular choices of brides. It is a very smooth, matte, elastic icing that gives cakes a flawless, porcelain finish. It is rolled out like a pancake, draped over each layer of the cake and smoothed out. Flavored, tinted fondant can be used in a variety of designs, including woven, or checkerboard designs.
It is an extremely labor-intensive process, and therefore is generally more expensive than butter cream icing. To use fondant, a cake must first be coated with a layer of glaze to seal in crumbs. Often this glaze is fruit-flavored. Then a layer of butter cream icing must be applied to the cake to hold the fondant in place. Another thing to keep in mind with a fondant-iced cake is the thickness of the fondant.
Ask your baker how thick the fondant they use is. Usually if it is more than 1/8th of an inch, the cake can be difficult to cut.
Some brides elect to have butter cream frosting with flower-shaped fondant and decorations.
Ganache – Ganache is more properly considered a glaze than a frosting. Made from heavy whipping cream and usually chocolate, the icing is poured over he cake. It dries to a finish similar to fondant, but is less labor intensive. It doesn’t require the cake be sealed with other icings before the ganache, although a flavored mousse can be used first to give the cake a better taste. Ganache itself is extremely rich and sweet and is also used as a filling for cakes.
Royal Icing – royal icing takes on two forms. When applied to the cake it is soft and pliable, then dried to a hard finish. It is usually used to create leaves, flowers and other edible decorations, but rarely on the whole cake. A type of royal icing, run-in sugar is thinner in consistency than royal icing and is generally used to fill in shapes.
Whipped Cream & Mousse – these use large amounts of dairy products. Whipped cream icing not only requires refrigeration, but is also not a good choice for multiple layers because it is not as stiff as most icings, so layers can easily slip. Like whipped cream icing, flavored mousse is sometimes used as an icing. Both of these icings must be refrigerated until servings, so generally are not used on wedding cakes, which are usually on display throughout the reception until serving time.
Tags: cakesPosted in Cake, Celebration, General info., Reception | No Comments »
Feature Friday: Austin Cake Studio
Friday, May 6th, 2011Austin Cake Studio was created as a unique place for Holley and her clients work together to create one-of-a-kind, delicious and unforgettable works of art. The process is deliberately collaborative. Holley works with each client to brainstorm, create design ideas and customize unique flavors. The result is a unique creation specially tailored to the client’s taste buds and party aesthetic. Austin Cake Studio sets out to transform special occasions into great memories by bringing scrumptious, highly personalized, edible works of art to each event.
Holley’s love of both food and art has manifested itself into a true passion that combines both of her loves. After graduating from Texas Christian University and a year in the corporate world, she left the cubicle and set out to chase her culinary dreams. Holley then attended Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, Texas; it was there that cakes became the medium that fueled her creative inspiration. She soon graduated with a LeCordon Bleu certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts. Filled with ideas and possibilities, Holley honed her new craft under Michelle Doyon of Michelle’s Patisserie, whose vision of cake as art mirrored her own. Holley launched Austin Cake Studio in the summer of 2009 as the realization of her dream to bring her own artistic perspective to the world of cake. Holley is pleased to welcome your wedding cake orders. Enjoy these pictures of her work.
Posted in Cake, Feature Friday | No Comments »
A Southern Tradition Worth Keeping
Thursday, February 24th, 2011Article by CLINK
The groom’s cake is a Southern tradition that is making its way throughout the United States as a new trend for some regions.
The groom’s cake was historically a single-layer cake that was used for wedding favors. It was sliced, boxed and sent home with wedding guests. Single female guests were known to place the cake under their pillow and see their future husband in their dream that night. Drinking too many cocktails is said to have the same effects on ladies in present time!
The groom’s cake is a great place to show off a little of your groom’s personality. Below are some ways to find inspiration to designing the perfect cake for your man.
Occupation – What does he do for living?
- Therapist: Place a sofa, coffee table and chair on the top of the cake with a book by Freud.
- Brain surgeon: A cake in the shape of a brain, of course!
- Coach: Have the cake designed like his football field, basketball court hockey rink baseball field or soccer field.
Hobby – What does he do for fun?
- Golf: Have a golf ball-shaped cake placed on a tee or do an entire bag full of clubs
- Hunter: Camo, camo, camo! Place hunting dogs or shooting figurines in action for added effect
- Fisherman: Have a 3-D big catch for everyone to cut in to!
Alumni – Where did he go to school?
- University of Texas – The UT Tower is by far the most rquested cake in Austin! You can also do a Longhorn or Bevo-shaped cake.
- Texas A&M- You can go simple with the seal atop the cake or more elaborate and recreate the bonfire!
- Texas Tech- Get your guns up, they make a great topper!
Guilty Pleasures – What does he indulge in?
- Cigar enthusiast: Have the cake designed like a humidor with individually rolled, edible cigars.
- Gambling: Custom craps table or roulette wheel are both safe bets.
- Musician: Make the cake in the shape of the instrument he loves.
Big Kids – What is he still obsessed with?
- Star Wars: Yoda, Jabba the Hut, an Ewok? Let them have their favorite and let them cut it with a light saber!
- Fancy cars: Every guy has a car he would love to drive, get it for him- in cake form!
- Comic books: Have a cake made that looks like the cover of his favorite comic book or have his iconic symbol become edible such as Superman’s “S”, the Green Lantern’s ring, or Spiderman’s web.
Themed or not, everyone loves a slice of groom’s cake. And sorry ladies, he should get to pick the flavor also.
Take a look at some awesome groom’s cake ideas from our cake bakers in Austin and our cake bakers in San Antonio:
Cake by The Sweet Stuff in Austin
Cake by Cakes & More Bake Shoppe in San Antonio
Cake by Austin Cake Studio
Cake by Classic Cakes by Lori in Austin
Cake by D'Pasteles in San Antonio
Cake by the Exclusive Cake Shop in San Antonio
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Cake Trends
Monday, November 1st, 2010Think outside the box. With bright colors, odd shapes and decorative touches, cakes are becoming the dramatic focal point in weddings today. Many brides are opting for amazing cakes to add an extra sparkle to their wedding in lieu of the traditional white, three-tiered wedding cake. Boring is out- bold and beautiful is in! Here are some of the latest cake trends.
Dramatic Colors
Fondant Accents
Black & White
Cupcakes
Floral
Something Blue
For more amazing cake ideas in San Antonio click here to visit our Cakes & Candy section.
For more amazing cake ideas in Austin click here to visit our Cakes and Candy section.
Tags: Advice, Austin, Cake, cakes, candy, Event Ideas, San Antonio, wedding, wedding cake, wedding ideas, wedding planning, Wedding TraditionsPosted in Advice, Cake | No Comments »
Sweeten Your Wedding
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010Adding sweets to your wedding is a great way to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth.
There are many options for brides to add sweet endings to their weddings. And they’ve been all the rave. It’s popular among all ages and gives a great treat to all your guests.
A couple of ideas are:
Candy Stations
Chocolate Fountains
Cupcakes
(Hill Country Cupcakes in Austin)
For more sweet ideas in San Antonio visit the Cakes & Candy section of our San Antonio Website.
For more sweet ideas in Austin visit the Cakes & Candy section of our Austin Website.
Tags: Advice, Austin, Cake, candy, Candy Station, children, Chocolate Fountian, cupcake, Event Ideas, Favors, Reception, San Antonio, Sweets, wedding ideasPosted in Advice, Cake, Event Ideas, food | No Comments »
2tarts Bakery & Catering
Thursday, September 9th, 20102tarts Bakery & Catering serves up delicious treats with a gourmet flavor and fun-filled attitude. Sisters April Weilbacher and Ashley Williams are spreading happiness one full belly at a time! Meet the 2tarts Bakery divas in this video:
2Tarts Bakery from Benji Smith on Vimeo.
Posted in Cake, Catering | No Comments »Healthy desserts?!
Friday, May 14th, 2010Mr. Natural offers a wide variety of goodies made with whole wheat flour (or spelt) with natural sweeteners. Whatever your need …wheat-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free…they can make it for you! Mr. Natural uses all natural ingredients and use no preservatives to make their cakes, empanadas, pastries and more from old-fashioned recipes for all occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, baby showers, graduations… or just for fun!
Mr. Natural’s cakes are made from organic whole wheat flour, honey or fruit juice- sweetened, aluminum-free baking powder, no eggs and no dairy. Natural flavors and spices make their cakes unique tasting and still beautiful looking.
Posted in Cake, Event Ideas | No Comments »
Be My Cupcake Offers a Personalized Flair
Monday, April 19th, 2010Austin’s Be My Cupcake specializes in baking quality cupcakes and cakes for weddings and any event. Cupcakes are making big news at weddings and special events these days; they’re not just for birthday parties anymore! They can take your personal design, favorite photo or piece of inspiration and create an exquisite cupcake and customized stand that perfectly reflects you.
Check out this amazing cupcake display for a fun, bird-watching couple!
Their wedding cupcake presentations are elegant, exciting and will be talked about for years to come. Cupcakes are more versatile than traditional cake, and are being used not only to be served to your guests during cake time, but as beautiful centerpieces and favors for your guests to enjoy.
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