Cake Haters Rejoice!
While beautiful to look at, the traditional wedding cake doesn't always pass the taste test. Part of the reason the cake tastes so blah is that the layers must be dense and strong to support the decorations. To keep the cake from drying out, it is often brushed with sugar syrup before it's frosted. The smooth even color and texture of the cake is usually achieved with a layer of fondant, a mixture of sugar, water, glycerin, and gelatin, or marzipan, a sugary almond paste. A popular alternative is butter cream, but this whipped mixture of butter, cream, and sugar cannot support heavy ornaments. The result is a super sweet cake without much flavor.
With the help of cake stands, you can new choose non-traditional tastes that pay homage to the traditional tiered look. Choices range from cheesecake to Mississippi mud pie, and chances are that any of your favorites can act as layers in your wedding cake. However, cake-haters should no longer feel pressured to smash bits of cake into each other's faces since many other dessert alternatives are now considered hip and trendy.
Pie and tarts
With pies and tarts, you can still fulfill the cake cutting tradition. Homemade pie offers a trip down memory lane. It hints of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer barbecues, of childhood and family. What better way to start married life than with a dessert that sums up so much of your past?
Tarts dressed in pastry cream and berries or filled with glossy chocolate ganache are beautiful, delicious, and classy. Just be careful that the flaky crust doesn't leave crumbs on your wedding gown.
Cupcakes
Cupcakes are wonderfully versatile and the sky's the limit when it comes to decorating them. They can be served with a simple glaze or poof of frosting, decked out with edible pearls or curlicues of chocolate.
Candy
Your gluten free guests will love you, but be careful with those who have nut allergies. Like cupcakes, candy can play up just about any theme. You can customize some M&M's with your wedding initials and colors. Serve them in champagne glasses for an elegant touch or spread them on trays with your favorite bite size childhood candies. Or you can splurge and place truffles in mini cupcake liners. Keep the dessert plates small so your guests can only fit two or three at a time.
Dessert bar
There are a variety of dessert bars. You can go the DIY route with a build your own sundae bar. Other crowd pleasers are the chocolate fountain or a smorgasbord of desserts from triple chocolate cookies to beautifully arranged fruit. If you have a summer wedding, grilled fruit like peaches, apricots, and pineapple will draw a crowd, especially if served with frozen yogurt or ice cream.
Before you make your decision, always consider your budget. There's no point in pining over individual crème brûlée tartlettes at five dollars a pop when there are so many other options out there. Make a list of your favorite desserts, but also do research in bridal magazines or online. You'll get plenty of inspiration and may even find incredible deals and discounts on things like cheap wedding dresses, florists or DJs.
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