Page 48 - Silverholme
P. 48

 Silverholme Manor, Graythwaite Estate
The edible centrepiece...
Before you really settle on a style of cake, it’s a good idea to work out how many guests (plus maybe friends and neighbours who couldn’t come) you need your cake to serve. Size guides such as the one reproduced across the page will help you decide. However, whether your cake is going to be sponge, fruit or a mixture of different layers will also affect the size needed.
 A 12” sponge cake, for example, will cut into around 56 portions, but the same sized fruit cake will serve around 112 people. If the cake is to be served after the main meal with, maybe, a champagne toast then your guests will be full and only need a small piece; if it is to be served later they may well be glad of a more substantial serving.
Now, on to the design. This is where you can be as traditional or imaginative as you like. White on white is very elegant and can look stunning, especially with, maybe, a ribbon wrapped around to match your colour scheme. If, however, you’re not the ‘less is more’ type, then cakes nowadays can be made in almost any style or shape you choose.
Another innovation nowadays, which a certain William and Catherine had for their wedding, is a Groom’s cake for the evening party. This is often more light-hearted; [they had a chocolate biscuit fridge cake, if you were wondering] and may be themed with the groom’s favourite sports team, superhero or TV series.
This can be a good way of satisfying both your traditional and innovative dreams. If you don’t think you want 2 separate cakes; some confectioners nowadays will make a ‘double-take’ cake. With these, the main part is traditionally designed, but a small section at the back is created with pulled back
icing ‘curtains’ to reveal an extra design, for instance a Spiderman symbol, Star Wars character or a Hogwarts Emblem. Not over keen on icing? ‘Naked’ cakes are another fashionable trend. With these designs, a multi-layered sponge cake is tiered and simply decorated with flowers, fruit and other such items leaving the actual cake and filling showing between.
Remember to consider any guests who may have food intolerances or allergies. If this could be a problem, then talk to your baker about a small tier which is gluten-free, nut-free or whatever is appropriate. This way, nobody feels excluded from this part of the celebrations. If there are only one or two guests to consider then perhaps an individual cup cake for them would be a better option.
So, there’s a lot to think about; let’s sum it up:
1] How many slices will you need?
2] What type of cake do you want? Fruit, sponge or mixed layers?
3] Traditional or innovative?
4] One cake or two – a day and an evening cake? 5] Allergies or other special requirements?
When you have answered all these questions, do your research and find the baker who can make your dreams come true!
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