Wedding cakes are an essential part of your wedding day, acting not just as a dessert but a centerpiece that will be displayed and photographed. With summer weddings on the rise, couples are looking for the best options for a cake that will hold up in the hot weather.
The heat and humidity can make it challenging to achieve a picture-perfect cake, but with the right materials and techniques, it is possible to find wedding cake options that can withstand the summer heat. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best wedding cakes for hot weather and tips to help keep them looking fabulous.
Buttercream Wedding Cakes
Buttercream wedding cakes are a popular option for many couples due to their flavor and texture. It’s essential to note that buttercream holds up better than other types of frosting under heat and humidity because it has a higher fat content, which can handle and resist warmer temperatures.
When it comes to a hot wedding day, stick to Swiss or Italian buttercream. It’s essential to prepare the cake just before serving, so it stays fresh and doesn’t smudge. That means that the cake should not be sitting outside in direct sunlight but in a cooler, less humid indoor setting.
Fondant covering
Fondant wedding cakes are another popular choice, and they come in a vast array of colors and designs. When in hot climates, it’s best to cover them fully in fondant to help keep the cake shape when exposed to heat and humidity.
The key to choosing a fondant-covered cake is to use good quality fondant with a moderate thickness to ensure it holds up to the heat. While fondant can melt in high temperatures, a cake designed using high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship can bypass such a disaster, even under extreme situations.
Naked Cakes
Naked cakes started as a new trend that picked up popularity in recent years. They are versatile cakes with an exposed sponge, which are ideal for rustic or outdoor themed weddings. They are a great option for summer weddings when exposed to heat and humidity.
The cake layers resemble the sponge cake with buttercream filling between them. Not using fondant makes naked cakes a great option for hot weather weddings. It allows air to circulate around the cake and prevent the cake from becoming too moist because fondant tends to trap moisture in.
Finally, Naked cakes provide a rustic and whimsical feel to any wedding, and you can customize them using your favorite toppings such as fresh berries, seasonal flowers, and even edible gold.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there are still some great options for wedding cakes for hot weather, which you can choose to match your taste, preference, and budget. Understanding the weather condition of your wedding location gives a head start in selecting the right cake type to keep your wedding cake looking and tasting great all day long.
Remember to take extra precautions to ensure the cake remains stable by keeping it in a cool, dry location and avoid placing it under direct sunlight. It’s also essential to communicate with your baker on your wedding date so they can plan and prepare for your big day and suggest the best options for a cake that will withstand the heat and humidity.
FAQ
How do you keep cakes cool in hot weather?
Baking a cake is easy, but keeping a cake cool in warm weather can be challenging. The high temperatures and humidity can make your cake go soggy and ruin its texture. However, there are a few techniques and tips that you can use to keep your cake cool and delicious on warm days.
The first and most important tip is to plan ahead. It is essential to bake your cake in a cool, air-conditioned room or at a different time to your decorating so you don’t make your working area even warmer. If you plan to frost a cake, make sure that the cake has completely cooled down to room temperature before you start frosting it. Otherwise, the frosting will melt and slip off the cake.
Another tip to keep your cake cool is to use black out blinds on your windows. Black out blinds are relatively inexpensive and keep a lot of heat out, which is beneficial if you are baking on a hot day. They can help to maintain the temperature in your kitchen and protect your cake from getting too hot.
If you have a fan in your kitchen, use it strategically to keep your cake cool. One technique is to place a frozen bottle of water in front of the fan, so it is blowing cool air onto your cake. This can help improve the air circulation around your cake and prevent it from getting too warm.
Finally, if you have limited space in your fridge, you can cover your cake with a clean towel that is dampened with cold water. Use a non-absorbent towel over the dampened towel. This can help to keep your cake cool without taking up space in your fridge. Alternatively, you can place your cake in a large plastic container with an airtight lid and keep it in the fridge or freezer.
Keeping your cake cool in hot weather is not impossible, and there are a few tips you can use to keep it cool and delicious. Planning ahead, using black out blinds, strategically using the fan, and using a dampened towel can help maintain the temperature and improve the lifespan of your cake.
Can a wedding cake be outside?
If you are planning an outdoor wedding, one of the questions you may be asking is whether or not your wedding cake can be displayed outside. While the short answer is yes, the long answer is a bit more complicated.
When it comes to outdoor weddings, the biggest concern with displaying the wedding cake outside is the effect that the environment can have on the cake. Weather can be unpredictable and elements such as wind, rain, and heat can all cause damage to the cake.
If it is warm outside, for example, the cake is likely to become soft and start to sag, especially if it is covered in buttercream or other creamy frosting. On the other hand, if it is cold outside, the cake may become hard and difficult to cut. Similarly, if it is windy outside, the cake may become unstable and topple over.
Therefore, if you are going to display your cake outside, it is important to take measures to protect it from the elements. One way to do this is to place the cake in a marquee or under a covered area so that it is protected from direct sunlight and wind. You can also ask the venue to bring the cake out as late as possible to minimize the amount of time it is exposed to the elements.
Additionally, it is important to consider the type of frosting you use on your cake. Fondant is a good option for outdoor weddings as it is less likely to melt or soften in warm weather. Buttercream, on the other hand, may not hold up as well, especially if it is decorated with delicate flowers or other decorations.
While it is possible to display a wedding cake outside, it requires some careful planning and consideration. By taking steps to protect the cake from the environment and choosing the right type of frosting, you can ensure that your cake looks beautiful and stays intact throughout your outdoor wedding celebration.