SHOULD I HAVE A GROOM’S CAKE ?
February 20th, 2012 { No Comments » } Posted in Uncategorized |
We get asked about groom’s cakes often, because folks in the mid-west are not too sure of the role of a groom’s cake and if it is necessary at their wedding reception. The groom’s cake is a southern tradition that has gained popularity across the country. Back in “the days” the wedding cake was always a white cake with white icing and the groom’s cake was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Now days, the wedding cake can be any flavor available. The groom’s cake is more often a cake that reflects a hobby or an interest of the groom.
So much of the wedding day is geared to the bride, that it is nice to give some attention to the groom on that special day. The groom’s cake is a nice way to also showcase the groom and give him a moment in the spotlight! Sometimes the cake is place on the table with the wedding cake, but more often, it is given a special table of its own.
It would be unusual to go to a wedding in the south and not see a groom’s cake. Here in central Indiana we generally see about 20% of the wedding receptions having a groom’s cake. Sometimes the groom’s cake is not taken into account for the number of guests attending, but often the groom’s cake and the wedding cake are both used to account for serving all the guests. For instance, if you are expecting 200 guests at the reception, you could plan on a wedding cake for 170 guests and a groom’s cake for 30 guests. Occaisonally we see the groom’s cake being used for the dessert at the rehearsal dinner. Wherever it is used, it is usually a conversation piece!
  
Choose a groom’s cake for your reception and surprise him!
Wedding Cakes for 2012!
February 15th, 2012 { No Comments » } Posted in Uncategorized |
So we are off to a good start for 2012! Wedding cakes, like clothing, cars, hair, etc., change styles yearly. An experienced eye can look at a wedding cake and often guess very close to the year it was made. So that being said, what should one would look for this year?
We are seeing BIG flowers on cakes now. Sometimes it is just one really large flower as a focal point. If the cake is more than three tiers, then there are often several large flowers. Instead of seeing a “bouquet” of flowers on top of the cake, now we will be seeing maybe just one large flower and it is often set more to the side of the cake and even sitting on the edge of the cake tier.
We are also seeing cakes that sometimes have no toppers. It used to be that if we saw a cake like that, then we would think that someone forgot the cake top! Now, don’t be surprised! If there is no topper, than the design from the side of the cake is usually carried over to the top of the cake.
We are also seeing ruffles alot and this comes from the bridal gowns. The skirts of the gowns now are sometimes filled with rows of ruffles, ruffly flowers, or feathery ruffled fabric. It is common for the bridal gowns to influence cake designs, just as the popular fashion colors influence the colors in the wedding.
Still in style though is the cake stacked directly on top with no pillars between the layers. We are seeing some of the tiers of the cake taller than the traditional four inch tiers. Some of the tiers are six or seven inches high. Taller and shorter tiers are usually alternated in the design.
Buttons, bows and brooches are still popular along with jeweled belts wrapped aroung the cake. We are still seeing the influence on ruching in the cake designs also. All in all, it is mainly fashion that influences cake design, so if you look at today’s brides, you will see the inspiration for their wedding cake!
A LOVE STORY
May 15th, 2011 { 2 Comments » } Posted in Uncategorized |
We got a phone call a couple of weeks ago from a young man. The question…”Can you hide an engagement ring in a cake?” We had actually done this several years ago, so we explained what we had previously done. He thought our plan would work and he came to the store.
Matthew trustingly left the ring in our care for a few days. His girlfriend’s birthday was coming up shortly and he wanted to get her a birthday cake with the ring hidden inside. He was taking his girlfriend and out for dinner and wanted to surprise her with the cake, ring, and proposal.
We began the process of burying the ring in the cake. First, we wrapped the ring box in plastic wrap to protect it, cut a section of the bottom layer of cake out and inserted the box in the cake, then iced over the ring box.
 
We marked the location of the ring on the cake board . Then we proceeded to decorate the cake. We told Matthew that we would place a single large pink rose over the ring box so he would know where it was located.
We then proceded to finish decorating the cake and eagerly awaited Matthew’s arrival!
Matthew came to the shop to pick up the cake. We explained very carefully how to cut the cake to insure he got the ring box on the first cut. Then we asked if we could take his picture with the cake . He readily agreed. After explaining that we wanted to put his story on our blog, he also agreed to get us photos of the big event. Matthew shared that there was another couple going out to dinner with them and Matthew would enlist his friend’s help in capturing the moment. We wished him well and told him we hoped for a “Yes” answer and off he went with his cake and ring!
They all arrived at the restaurant and enjoyed the birthday dinner. Then it was time to present Arianna with her birthday cake. Little did she know that the evening held more than a birthday celebration!
Matthew did a great job of cutting the first piece, and what should appear…a ring box!
 
Matthew did the noble thing and got down on one knee right there in the restaurant and asked Arianna to become his wife.
Evidently she said, “YES!”
Now Matthew could relax and enjoy the rest of the evening! He and Arianna ate their cake while Arianna happily showed off her ring!
 
We at Classic Cakes wish Matt and Arianna a joyous, happy life together! Congratulations and keep those surprises coming!
Pizazz on your cake—use dimension!
March 28th, 2011 { 2 Comments » } Posted in Cakes |
Do you want to have a cake that stands above the norm? Do you watch the cake shows on television and wish you could get a similar custom cake without driving to the coast?
Think about putting some dimension in your cake. It adds such flair! Adding 2-D designs to your cake are less expensive then 3-D designs. Our decorators can give you suggestions on ways to utilize dimension in your cake and advice on what works best.
Let me show you a cake we did for a local fire department that took advantage of both 2-D and 3-D design work and explain the difference.
The most obvious 3-D element on this cake is the building on the top. A 3-D image is one that you can see the front, back and sides. It “stands up” and you can “walk” all around the item and see it. Some of the other 3-D elements are the fireman’s ladder and the fire hose.
A 2-D piece is one that is flat, you can only see the “front,” but it is cut out in the shape of the object. Some of the 2-D items on this cake are the firemen and the flames on the building. The flames, when they are all placed together, give the image of a 3-D view. If shading and highlights are used on a 2-D item, it can almost have the look of a 3-D image. The firemen are holding a 3-D hose, but it does not look like the mixed designs are out of place.
Here are some 3-D sugar items added to a cake:
The lady scientist, gorillas, palm trees, and some of the leaves are 3-D.
In this cake, the giraffe is done in 2-D.
On this cake the lion is 3-D.
Let us help you design a very special cake with pizazz for your next party!
Building a Sculpted Cake
March 12th, 2011 { No Comments » } Posted in Cakes |
The addition of cake shows on television has added a real spark of interest in the world of sugar art. People are now able to see all the possibilities in cake and sugar. Families watch the show together. Children love to be able to see the creations being constructed. This week we had a Dad tell us that they actually discovered their 13 year-old daughter calling Carlos Bakery in New Jersey with her yellow notepad at her side, to see if they could make her cake and deliver it halfway so the family could pick it up! Later that same day a mother and her young son, ” first timers,” came in to see about getting a 16th birthday cake. The daughter was asking for a “Cake Boss” cake for her special birthday. The mother had searched “cakes, fondant, Carmel” on her browser and up popped Classic Cakes. They did not have to go all the way to New Jersey to get something special! The mother and son picked out a cake that had fondant decorations on it. When they were leaving the store, they were so excited because now they could taste fondant, something they had only heard about on television! I gave them a sample of it and the mom made her son promise not to tell the rest of the family that they had already tasted the fondant….so cute! We are getting more and more requests for these types of cakes. But what comes with these requests is often some sticker shock. People are not really aware of how long it takes to make these creations. After all, the cake is done in 1/2 hour on TV!
So I thought I would let you journey with us as we create a sculpted cake at Classic Cakes. Sarah did this project for a birthday party held at a golf club recently. She took a few photos of the process as she worked. These do not reflect all the steps by any means, but it does give you a glimpse into the process.
Before the cake was assembled, we had to buy some plywood and cut it to size and attach a large dowel rod to the board to stabilize the cake as it was being constructed and delivered. Then the cakes were stacked 2 layers at a time. Cake boards had to be covered and place between each set of layers and support placed between the tiers to take the weight from the cakes so they would not crush each other. All of this is hidden inside the cakes. Then Sarah made some guidelines out of icing to help her when she began to carve the cakes.
Carving the cakes is not a forgiving art. It is very difficult to replace cake once it has been removed! You have to have a plan in your head, visualize as you go, and carve carefully. There are no patterns to follow. Each sculpted cake is a unique creation.
The cake was carved, then a thin layer of icing was put on the cake to meld all the joints and seams of the cake and even out the features. The cake was placed in the freezer for a few minutes so the icing could harden. While the cake was in the freezer, Sarah began making some of the fondant features that went on the cake. After the cake had chilled, she then put another coat of icing on the cake. Fondant is very pliable and it takes the shape of whatever it is covering. If the cake is not smooth, the fondant will not be smooth. The second coat of icing defines how the cake will look when it is covered with the fondant.
Covering cakes in fondant is an art in itself. Fondant is rolled out just as you would roll out pie dough. Do you ever have trouble getting the dough into your pie pan? Imagine covering this large cake with it’s bumps and angles and getting it all fitted, smooth and seamless! The cake is now ready to begin decorating.
Sarah colored some green fondant and rolled it out and cut the pieces to fit the bag….again, there were no patterns. Everything is done by hand! Then she rolled out the tan fondant in perfect “snakes” to make all the seams around the bag.
This is a view of the other side of the cake.
Now the cake is fully assembled and ready for delivery. The bag has been embellished with more detail, the sugar golf clubs have been added, which were made in a two day process. The board has been covered with grass…that’s alot of blades of grass! The golf balls and message tag have been added.
Now, this is going to cost more than a sheet cake with a golf club on it! Many, many hours of work went into this cake. The best decorators get to do these kinds of projects. There are not very many decorators skilled to do this kind of work in the area. Sculpted cakes cost considerably more than typical cakes. Prices vary according to the work involved to make the cake, so each is priced individually. Even small sculpted cakes take just as many steps as a large cake. Our sculpted cakes begin at $175.00…considerably less expensive than those East Coast cakes!
Lucky Teacher!
February 25th, 2011 { 2 Comments » } Posted in Uncategorized |
We have a customer, Jennifer, who has ordered dozens of cakes from us for many occasions. One thing she does is order a very special cake for her children’s teachers on their birthday. She finds out the teachers hobbies and interests, passes the information on to us, and lets us create a wonderful cake.
I was not at the shop the week this cake was created. When I got back to the store, I was looking through the photos of some of the cakes that had been ordered while I was gone. I came across the photos of this cake. Most of the time we just take a picture of the final product, but sometimes we get photos of the work in progress. Here are some photos of the cake as it was reaching the final stage.
When I saw this photo, I thought, wow, I really like the flowers on this cake. I love how they have shading and two-tone in them.
Then I saw this photo. Oh, I really like the shape and set up of this cake. I like the clusters of flowers on the sides of the oval and then it looks like Sarah is adding a cluster of flowers on the top to match.
When this photo came up next I thought,”I really love the little pearls and beading worked into the design of this cake. It is so feminine and beautiful. The intricate border is so neat andI love the shades of pink in the design and how it all works together.”
Then I saw this photo and immediately called for Sarah to come to my office.
She is the one who takes the majority of our photos and I really wanted to know the story of this cake!
So,what would you think if you saw this ultra feminine cake with a football on top?
I learned that this was a cake that Jennifer had ordered for a teacher.. The teacher LOVED pink and her hobby is playing flag football! So, this is the cake the teacher received for her birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Cool cake Sarah!
Welcome to the Classic Cakes blog!
February 19th, 2011 { 3 Comments » } Posted in Uncategorized |
This is a new venture for us and we are very excited to share with you some of the happenings around Classic Cakes. Our posts will vary from news about the store, photos of cakes we have done, some “how did we do that” stories, unique anctedotes about orders we have taken, and helpful advice. We hope you find our blog interesting and informative!
It is interesting that people will look at a photo of a cake and ask us how many the cake serves or they will just say that they want a cake that size. When they come to pick it up, sometimes they remark that the cake is not as big as they thought it would be. It is very hard to judge the size of a cake by a photo. This was illustrated very well ( and accidentally) when I was looking through some photographs this week.
Here is a photo of a recent cake that we did.
Good job Jenny!
Looking at the photo, it is difficult to tell how big the cake is. But things get even more complicated when you look at the next two photos. These were taken while Jenny was working on the cake.
 
Is this a big cake or a small cake?
We have the ability to show you exactly the size of your cake. We have styrofoam dummy layers that we can stack or assemble so you can see just what your cake will look like. If you ever have a question about the size of your cake, always ask the person helping you with your order. If there is no styrofoam available, we can use our baking pans to help you visualize the size of your cake.
Just remember…perspective changes everything. Never assume!
Welcome
April 25th, 2010 { 5 Comments » } Posted in Cakes |
Welcome to the new home for Classic Cakes!
We put a great emphasis on the quality and creative cakes that we provide to our customers. Feel free to come back and check out all the new ideas and posts added to our blog.
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