wedding cake/5 Amazing Hanging Wedding Cakes - Craftsy

5 Amazing Hanging Wedding Cakes - Craftsy
The Recipe for My Wedding Cake
Baker Will Go To Jail If He Does Not Bake Wedding Cake For Gay ...
In store bakeries step up wedding cakes - Supermarket News
Hand Painted Wedding Cake | Dream Day Cakes

5 Amazing Hanging Wedding Cakes - Craftsy

Posted: 23 Apr 2014 04:00 AM PDT

When it comes to wedding cakes, some couples are looking for a definite conversation piece and what better than a beautifully crafted cake…that hangs as if weightless! Hanging wedding cakes are the perfect way to wow clients during the busy wedding season and a wonderful way for guests to remember your wedding if you're the lucky couple.

Get inspired by these gorgeous chandelier and hanging wedding cakes:

Chandelier cake by The Butter End

Photo via The Butter End

Upside-down chandelier cake

This cake is quite possibly the pièce de résistance of all hanging wedding cakes. The Butter End created this one-of-a-kind, show-stopping chandelier cake for actress Kaley Cuoco's wedding. Exactly how they suspended six large tiers of cake from the bottom of a crystal chandelier appears to be an impressive feat of engineering. We love that the cake itself mimics the crystal droplets with Marilyn Monroe-esque jewels dripped from each tier.

Pink rose hanging wedding cake by Gifted Heart Cakes

Photo via Gifted Heart Cakes

Pink rose hanging wedding cake

This sweet pink rose wedding cake features each tier suspended from an elegantly tall cake stand. The combination of different laces with cameos lends a beautiful vintage heirloom feel to this hanging wedding cake!

Learn how to create gorgeous lace work for your cakes in Zoe Clark's Elegant Lace Cakes class.

Peach cameo hanging wedding cake by Gifted Heart Cakes

Photo via Gifted Heart Cakes

Cameo hanging wedding cake

The combination of a pale peach color palette with traditional cake decoration makes for a perfectly romantic styled hanging wedding cake. We adore the lovely ruffled roses, pearl accents and Georgian feel to this cake.

Sign up for Nicholas Lodge's The Ultimate Sugar Rose class to master the art of gorgeous gum paste roses.

Photo via Judy's Cakes

Chandelier wedding cake

We love the scrolls and fondant droplets that decorate the sides of this hanging chandelier cake! The arches of small flowers that trim the bottom of the second layer are somewhat reminiscent of De Beers necklaces with their dripping florals.

Learn how to make gorgeous glittering cakes like this in Marina Sousa's Jeweled Wedding Cake Craftsy class.

Things to consider when planning a hanging wedding cake:

Creating a hanging wedding cake is an accomplishment in itself, but with lots of planning, sketching and research (as well as time and patience) you should have a show-stopping cake that exudes awestruck gasps from everyone around! Before you dive into such a structural demanding cake there are a few things for you to consider. First and foremost is how you'd like your cake to be suspended; from a ceiling fixture such as an actual chandelier, a rose entwined swing, gilded chain; or from a strong wrought iron stand specially made for the purpose.

Beautiful wedding cake on a swing by Sweet Cakes by Mel

Photo via Sweet Cakes by Mel

This gorgeously elegant five-tiered swing wedding cake is given a fun and playful feel by being perched upon a swing bursting with florals. We love how this creates an unmissable center piece with it's quirky display, sleek and elegant design and romantic florals. Setting an otherwise heavy wedding cake upon a swing is a great way to instigate an informal touch to a reception!

What types of hanging weddings can you choose from?

If you're apprehensive going all out with a seven-tier chandelier creation, we'd suggest that the easiest way to have a "hanging" wedding cake is to set the cake onto an old fashioned tree swing, just like the beautiful cake above, featuring tangled roses, blossoms or lights. Then turn the reception into a gorgeously rustic garden party with the cake and swing as the centerpiece — perfect for a secret garden themed wedding!

If you're both brave and adamant that you'd like to create a chandelier cake, experiment with creating wood cake boards, wooden dowel rods, hooks, chains, etc. Also, be sure to speak to the venue to make sure a suspended wedding cake is even possible. Then begin preparing and testing your ceiling fixture beforehand.

For a suspended cake, the first wooden cake board should be the smallest and have a long wood or dowel rod securely fixed into the center; each cake tier needs to be stacked through this once placed onto a wooden cake board of their own. Once your cakes are tiered, add trimmings along the base of the bottom tier to disguise the board. When ready, carefully add a hook fastening to the end of the dowel rod so that your cake can be suspended from the ceiling.

For a hanging wedding cake that features each tier separated by chain, each needs its own wood cake board with a dowel rod just above the height of the cake. Stack each cake onto each corresponding board, and to hide the top of the dowel rod, create a bouquet of gum paste flowers to perch atop. When ready, gently hook your suspended wedding cakes with chains, rope or strong taffeta ribbon separating each tier!

With hanging wedding cakes as a possible show-stopping trend for 2014, we're sure to see this style re-created in a myriad of decadent ways, from cakes dripping with sugar chandelier droplets to hanging gardens adorned with bouquets of sugar roses.

Are you itching to create an impressive hanging wedding cake yourself?

The Recipe for My Wedding Cake

Posted: 23 Apr 2014 06:07 AM PDT

This week is my 26th wedding anniversary and I am sharing the recipe for my wedding cake. I meant to make this last year for the big 25th, but life, as often happens, had other plans. So, here I am on a not-as-special-but-just-as-wonderful anniversary with a family story and recipe.My grandmother ran a restaurant in her home during the 1950s. It was a reservation only, private party type restaurant. People would come to celebrate happy occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Mamie made beautiful cakes when commissioned. In the 1960s, she closed the restaurant, but continued catering weddings at other sites.

A cake my grandmother made in the 1950s

When my mom got married, my grandmother made the cake:

When I got married, my mom made my cake:

These cutting the cake photos are funny, because they are totally fake. We didn't cut the cake. At that age, we had no idea how to properly cut a huge layer cake so that everyone got a piece. We simply stuck our knife in and took out a little chunk. Then an older lady shooed us away and went to work. First, however, she removed that special top layer. That, traditionally, was to go into the freezer and come out at the first wedding anniversary as proof positive that we were going to make a go of this marriage thing.

The top layer of my wedding cake was carefully wrapped in waxed paper and foil so that it wouldn't be freezer burned. Then it was labeled and put away. I left with my husband for our new life in Washington state. A few months later, my father retired from the military and moved to another town in Arizona. I flew home to help Mom with the packing and unpacking. That special cake came out of the freezer and went into their motor home for the move. Once we all arrived in the new home, the cake went was supposed to go into their new freezer. My husband and I were going to visit for Christmas and take it home then. However, I got to thinking that a year old piece of cake wasn't going to taste very good. At the time it was only two months old, so it was probably still pretty good.

Can you see where this train of thought led me?

Yes. I ate the entire top layer of my wedding cake. All. By. Myself. And only two months after I said "I do."

My mother was aghast. What doom could this portend for my future? What would my husband say??

Twenty-six years later, he still teases me about it. To quiet him once and for all, I have finally made him a cake that HE can eat all by himself. (Though my kids will gladly help him) I clearly did not inherit the cake decorating genes of my mother and grandmother. We are all lucky that the cake is circular, tall and not lopsided. It is an almond flavored pound cake with a beautiful moist crumb. In order to make those huge cakes, the recipe had to be doubled and trebled. The following recipe makes a simple two layer cake. I filled it with store bought strawberry jam and topped it with a buttercream frosting.

The Family Wedding Cake Recipe

Author: Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

1⅔ cups sugar
¾ cup butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp almond extract
2½ cups sifted flour
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk

Cream the butter and sugar.
Add the eggs and flavorings and mix well.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the buttermilk.
Once all of the ingredients are added, beat it for at least 1 more minute.
Bake in two greased and floured 9 inch pans for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Test for done-ness with a toothpick before removing from the oven.
Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to complete the cooling process.
Frost as desired.

3.2.2499

Baker Will Go To Jail If He Does Not Bake Wedding Cake For Gay ...

Posted: 18 Apr 2014 10:18 AM PDT

As our tolerant friends to the left go about trying to obtain complete and utter political correctness and fairness to all, a Christian baker sits in the middle of a new controversy. A judge has recently declared that the baker must bake any and all wedding cakes requested by homosexual couples.

The issue came around when Jack Phillips, who runs Masterpiece Cakeshop, was approached by two men. The couple, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, had come in to inquire about a cake for their wedding celebration. As Colorado does not support the right to gay marriage, the two had been married out of state and wanted to celebrate their new marriage in their home town.

The baker, being an Evangelical Christian, politely declined causing the homosexual couple to run to the courts. Even though they did not want the man to bake the cake any longer, they wanted to make sure no other gay couples experienced the humiliation that they endured by the bakers decision.

Luckily for Phillips though, the Alliance Defending Freedom, or the ADF, was there to take on his case pro bono. The ADF is a network consisting of over 2,000 lawyers that stand to fight against any and all infringements on the freedom of Christian religion.

During court, Phillip's lawyer, Nicolle Martin stated:

"Phillips has been a Christian for approximately 35 years, and believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior. As a Christian, Phillips' main goal in life is to be obedient to Jesus and His teachings in all aspects of his life[;] Phillips believes the Bible is the inspired word of God[;] its commands are binding on him[;] God's intention for marriage is the union of one man and one woman."

Her point was to prove that to force one man to compromise on his beliefs and his rights for the good of society would be disastrous. The fact remains that Colorado does not support gay marriage, so how is his beliefs in contrast to that of his society?

The ruling here to violate the man's rights for the sake of the community is a potential problem that shows no limits. Anyone could twist any number of freedoms displaying that they hurt society and then over rule it. Does that mean that one single man's rights aren't worth offending a select group of people? No. That is precisely why we have the freedom of speech and religion.

For a judge to overrule these rights because the feelings of two people is absurd.

Nonetheless, Administrative Judge Robert Spencer said that the man's rights pale in comparison to societies well being. He then went on to say that it was well within his judicial powers to order the man to bake a cake for any couple regardless their sexual orientation.

In response to the ruling, Phillips states that should the circumstance arise again, he will do the same. He feels that when he bakes a cake for a couple it is as if he is participating in the marriage ceremonies. He conveys that he will not compromise his religious beliefs because of the feelings of others despite the fact that he was being threatened jail time. According to the ruling, Phillips could receive up to 12 months in jail.

After the case, Martin explained:

"American citizens should not have to live in fear of a prison sentence merely for disagreeing with the government's opinion. All Americans should remain free to honor God in our lives and in our work. The government has no business threatening Americans with jail time for simply exercising their constitutionally-protected freedoms of religion and speech. Every American, whatever you think about this issue, should fear a government that ignores the First Amendment in order to exercise this kind of power over its citizens."

Do you think individual rights can be overruled in the name of society's sake?

H/T: Mr. Conservative

In store bakeries step up wedding cakes - Supermarket News

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 03:00 AM PDT

The days of plain white iced wedding cakes with floral décor are numbered. Most consumers are now asking for sculptured or tiered cakes that tout contemporary designs and sophisticated flavor profiles for both batters and fillings.

Rolled fondant is an increasingly common cake-covering request at supermarket bakeries. Shaped fondant decorations are popular as well.

Retailers must significantly alter their in-store bakery offerings or risk losing shoppers, according to Tony Byington, assistant VP of bakery operations at Hy-Vee Food Stores, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Many brides are inspired by TV cake competitions and ask decorators to replicate the intricate shapes and designs. "Consumers love watching all the cake design and competition programs on TV, and they come here asking for cakes that are similar to what they have seen made by advanced cake design professionals on those shows," Byington told SN. "Many want wedding cakes that are sculpted and have different flavors from tier to tier because they know not everyone will like the same thing. Groomsmen's cakes are also becoming more popular, not just in the South where they originated."

Colors have evolved as well, from plain white or off-white icing to a rainbow of pastels and even chocolate frosting, he added.

Designer training

Of the 200 bakeries owned and operated by Hy-Vee, only a handful currently have cake designers who are qualified to handle more complex orders. But the chain has brought all of its designers together once a year for the past two years for hands-on classes led by the most skilled bakery staffers.

Intermediate and advanced techniques were taught during these sessions. And additional measures are being taken to train employees year-round.

"Three years ago, we created a cake design program at Hy-Vee, teaming up employees with artistic abilities with our most experienced cake designers for six months," said Byington. "The goal is to take them from beginner designers to intermediate and, ultimately, expert designers."

At the same time, the supermarket has worked to create its first, chainwide bakery menu, he added.

Along with standard chocolate and vanilla, the menu — expected to be in stores by the end of 2014 — will include new flavors like red velvet, salted caramel and wedding cake. These flavors, among many others, will also be offered to wedding shoppers.

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market will host a "Whole Wedding" expo from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 16 at its Boca Raton, Fla., location. The free event will include wedding cake tastings, a four-tiered cake display and a lookbook containing examples of custom wedding cakes Whole Foods designers have made.

The expo will also showcase an array of other foods and products commonly used for weddings and receptions from other departments throughout the store, such as floral, prepared foods, seafood, Whole Body, meat and specialty – wine, champagne and cheese.

Hand Painted Wedding Cake | Dream Day Cakes

Posted: 22 Apr 2014 08:58 AM PDT

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Dream Day Cakes

Painted Wedding Cake

For a fall wedding cake at the Santa Fe River Ranch (here in Gainesville, Florida), Yeni was asked to create this lovely hand painted wedding cake.

With lace, branches, earth tones, and a lovely monogram, the cake fit perfectly with the rustic (yet beautiful) venue deep within the landscapes of North Florida.

The bottom tier featured non-edible (fabric) lace layered over a green fondant base.

The next tier featured a hand-painted wood tone background with dark, hand painted branches.

Within the branches, bird silhouettes subtlety bring a fun detail to the wedding cake.

Detail: Hand-painted wedding cake

The next tier showcases a hand cut monogram placed upon a pastel green background. The monogram and frame have simulated wood highlights achieved through a painted technique.

Detail: wedding cake monogram

The top tier showcases more of Yeni's hand painting work, with multi-colored branches and bird silhouettes.

detail: top tier wedding cake, hand painted

We love creating a cake from a bride's vision — bringing it to life to help celebrate a beautiful wedding. After all, every celebration deserves Dream Day Cakes®. For this Gainesville wedding cake, Yeni used a variety of techniques to create an amazing cake made with ingredients you can pronounce.

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Wedding Ideas

Thursday, 24 April 2014