Elaborately decorated wedding cakes are becoming more and more in demand with the influence of Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook, along with the growing popularity of TV food network shows, brides everywhere are interested in getting the most decked out and creative cake for their wedding. One topic of concern is whether to choose a fondant covered cake or a traditional buttercream frosted cake. Here we will examine the benefits and drawbacks to each type of cake, so that you can ultimately pick the cake that suites your needs best.
One major concern when deciding on a buttercream cake is whether or not the buttercream frosting will hold up at the reception, especially if the cake needs to be outside. In all reality, a buttercream cake is very capable of holding up even in warm or humid conditions. There are many different recipes for buttercream frosting. For most recipes the frosting will remain a more refrigerated "butter" like consistency if the setting is cold. If in a warm setting, a regular buttercream frosting may have a more smooth and creamy consistency. However, there are many ways to make the frosting set so that even in warmer and more humid conditions you will not have to worry about your buttercream cake melting. Talk to your chosen cake decorator or bakery to get their expert advice. If you do choose a buttercream cake and your reception takes place outside in a warm environment, make the cake cutting ceremony one of the first things you do, that way the cake can either be taken away if you're worried the climate is too warm, or the cake can remain if the conditions permit.
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.
Often people wonder if a buttercream cake can achieve the same look of smoothness that a fondant cake produces. The answer is most likely yes depending on the skill level of your cake decorator and the types of decorations you want your buttercream cake to have. In a layered cake a buttercream cake will have much sharper edges at the top of each layer, which is a look that can actually be preferred over the round edges of a fondant cake. If the sharper edges cause concern, your cake decorator can pipe a design around the edges to hide the sharp corners. A skilled decorator will surely be able to frost a cake which will look just as smooth as a fondant cake. Many brides are also decorating their wedding cakes with elaborate arrangements of flowers which will help to cover any non-smooth portions of cake.
Cost is an important factor when deciding on a wedding cake. Generally speaking a buttercream frosted cake will cost much less than a fondant covered cake for several reasons. Many bakeries choose to purchase fondant rather than producing it themselves in house. Making fondant is a real process which is hard on machinery which is why many bakeries choose to purchase their fondant. Fondant itself can be quite expensive which factors in to the cost of the cake. Fondant is also a harder material to work with which requires a higher level of experienced decorator to work with which also factors in to the higher cost of the cakes. Ultimately a buttercream cake will cost much less to produce than a fondant cake.
Keep an open mind about your wedding cake. Talk to your bakery or cake decorator to get their expert opinion on which type of cake you should go with for your wedding. All in all both fondant and buttercream cakes can be elaborately decorated for an unforgettable cake.
One major concern when deciding on a buttercream cake is whether or not the buttercream frosting will hold up at the reception, especially if the cake needs to be outside. In all reality, a buttercream cake is very capable of holding up even in warm or humid conditions. There are many different recipes for buttercream frosting. For most recipes the frosting will remain a more refrigerated "butter" like consistency if the setting is cold. If in a warm setting, a regular buttercream frosting may have a more smooth and creamy consistency. However, there are many ways to make the frosting set so that even in warmer and more humid conditions you will not have to worry about your buttercream cake melting. Talk to your chosen cake decorator or bakery to get their expert advice. If you do choose a buttercream cake and your reception takes place outside in a warm environment, make the cake cutting ceremony one of the first things you do, that way the cake can either be taken away if you're worried the climate is too warm, or the cake can remain if the conditions permit.
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.
Often people wonder if a buttercream cake can achieve the same look of smoothness that a fondant cake produces. The answer is most likely yes depending on the skill level of your cake decorator and the types of decorations you want your buttercream cake to have. In a layered cake a buttercream cake will have much sharper edges at the top of each layer, which is a look that can actually be preferred over the round edges of a fondant cake. If the sharper edges cause concern, your cake decorator can pipe a design around the edges to hide the sharp corners. A skilled decorator will surely be able to frost a cake which will look just as smooth as a fondant cake. Many brides are also decorating their wedding cakes with elaborate arrangements of flowers which will help to cover any non-smooth portions of cake.
Cost is an important factor when deciding on a wedding cake. Generally speaking a buttercream frosted cake will cost much less than a fondant covered cake for several reasons. Many bakeries choose to purchase fondant rather than producing it themselves in house. Making fondant is a real process which is hard on machinery which is why many bakeries choose to purchase their fondant. Fondant itself can be quite expensive which factors in to the cost of the cake. Fondant is also a harder material to work with which requires a higher level of experienced decorator to work with which also factors in to the higher cost of the cakes. Ultimately a buttercream cake will cost much less to produce than a fondant cake.
Keep an open mind about your wedding cake. Talk to your bakery or cake decorator to get their expert opinion on which type of cake you should go with for your wedding. All in all both fondant and buttercream cakes can be elaborately decorated for an unforgettable cake.
About the Author:
Hawaii wedding coordinator Lauren Ellis has been helping brides choose the perfect cake for their weddings for several years. To learn more about the cake vendors she uses visit her site - AlohaBridalConnections.com
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