Choosing Wedding Cake Icing

Choosing a wedding cake can be difficult. There is so much to consider; taste, color, size, decoration. One of the key decisions in this process is choosing the type of icing.

The type of icing a couple chooses for their wedding cake will influence other aspects of the cakes design. The attributes of one type of icing may not necessarily allow them to include certain design elements in their wedding cake. This makes it important for them to be well informed on the different types of icing.

There are predominantly two different types of icing used in top wedding cakes: butter cream and fondant icing. Butter cream icing is typically favored as the tastier choice of the two and is also the cheapest option. This makes butter cream icing an incredibly popular choice, in fact most wedding cakes and special occasion cakes available to buy in stores use this type of icing.

Butter cream icing can be dyed to change its color. There are a wide variety of colors available making it very versatile. However, when two differently colored icings are placed next to each other there is a tendency for the colors to bleed into one another. This spells disaster for a carefully arranged design. Because of this, it is recommended that wedding cakes be of one color only. Additional color can be added in the form of extra decoration.

Fondant icing is entirely different. Before fondant can be applied to a cake it must be worked. A lump of icing is kneaded and rolled flat until it reaches the desired density. The icing is then rolled into a sheet sized roughly to cover the surface area of the cake, draped over the cake and cut to size. The icing should fit snugly and provide a blank canvas for the decorator to begin embellishing it with designs.

Fondant icing can be dyed to match almost any color under the sun. Because it is not as damp as butter cream icing the color should not run and so layers of color can be placed side by side. Many cakes with graphic embellishments like scroll work or polka dots take advantage of this attribute. Fondant icing can also be easily moulded into different shapes to produce three dimensional embellishments. This might include an edible bride and groom to sit atop the cake.

In conclusion, deciding between butter cream and fondant icing for your wedding cake will determine the decoration and wedding cake styles. For taste, butter cream icing may be the best, depending on taste. But for lavish decorations, fondant provides much more room for creativity. Essentially the decision is between flavor and fun, a hard choice I’ll admit.