Unveiling the “naked” wedding cake. Suddenly sugarpaste seems such an old maid. The home spun, home crafted craze is reaching its zenith. I have just attended a day’s Christmas in July media launches and clearly home made is hotter than well, July. Since the credit crunch forced us to make do and mend, our inner craft bugs have been crawling all over trends that are achieveable, affordable and preferably immediately available. Hence any crafted look that ticks these boxes is perfect for the dextrously challenged and time poor alike. This year’s Christmas in July shows previewed decorations and cards to be sold by mainstream retailers. Many look so homemade that the only way this trend can go is buying things that look like children made them. Perfect for anyone who works but wants to look like they stayed up all night appliqueing socks and stamping patterns on brown wrapping paper.
For wedding cakes this translates as easy cake easily decorated. It doesn’t come much easier than Victoria sponge quickly slapped with buttercream and real flowers artfully pushed into the crumb. Why spend 24 hours crafting sugarcrafted roses when you can plonk the better looking real thing on the cake in seconds? Noone enjoys eating sugar flowers anyway. After attending a Peggy Porschen Academy class I kept my beautiful but brittle blooms – Miss Haversham style – in a box for 18 months before tearfully throwing them away). Cake maker to the stars, Lily Vanilli, was showing us how to make naked wedding cakes at this Pinterest community event attended by Pinterest users. If your technical baking abilities only stretch to Victoria sponge and buttercream then this is a look for you. Think floristry rather than cake decorating. Tips making or buying naked wedding cakes
- Have an overall colour scheme
- Mix and match the size and texture of floral and fruit decorations
- If the cake needs to travel it needs dowelling rods to keep the layers secure
- Non edible decoration must be removed before serving. Check which flowers are edible and which aren’t.
- Make use of seasonal flowers and fruits
- Combine freeform buttercream piping with natural decoration
- Scatter dried petals confetti style around the edge
- Flowers stuck into cake won’t stay as fresh as those in oasis so the cake needs to be decorated as late as possible. So although this style of cake is suitable for budget weddings, the actual decoration needs to be delegated to someone other than the bride!
Nosegays and nasturtiums destroyed during the evening were supplied by Liberty. This was part of their launch for a new homewares and gift range Flowers by Liberty celebrating floral Liberty prints. It was also an opportunity to me to hang out with blogging friends May, Andrea (both in main picture above) and Sarah of Taming Twins. Our cakes were lined up village fete style for Lily to judge. I must admit I was sceptical about this look but after seeing our line up of naked wedding cakes I was a total convert! Click on any of the thumbnail pictures in this post to bring up a full size slideshow to click through and admire!
Lily Vanilli will be one of the star bakers appearing at this year’s Cake and Bake Show at London’s Earl’s Court on 3-5 October.
Stuart says
How lovely Sarah, giving me ideas for my own wedding cake!
Cooksister says
Maybe something for my NEXT vow renewal ;o) Pretty!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
When’s that one scheduled? Can’t be long now??
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
What a great day you must have had. I totally agree that real flowers are much nice and easier than sugarcraft. But that’s because I am absolutely, shockingly, incompetent at any form of sugarcraft. I even ballsed up a snowman.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
Having seen how much effort goes into sugar flowers it does seem quite bonkers when real ones achieve the same look instantly and presumably lower cost.
Gary says
I admit I was sceptical too but the final results look great!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
And we were just chucking flowers at the sponge really… If you had a gameplan you could achieve something very cool I’m sure.
Sarah (@tamingtwins) says
Such a fun evening Sarah, lovely to see your photos!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
Thanks – and it was lovely to see you too 🙂
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Love all the flowers! Naked cakes are definitely the way to go for people who aren’t big fans of icing (though personally I AM a fan 😉 )
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
Yes me too in moderation!
Food Ren (@RenBehan) says
Loving these naked cakes – they all look so incredibly pretty. Might bake one for baby’s Christening!
PeterDelicious says
My wedding cake was naked!
Sally says
I didn’t have a wedding cake! Love this idea.
Urvashi says
Oh my! Mary Berry would tell her right orf for using all those inedible flowers! This is a little too naked for me to be honest. I love the simplicity shabby chic effect but I want a bit of glamour for a wedding so I would def cover with some ganache I think. But I do like how this style gives people who perhaps are not confident a way to be bang on trend and creative at the same time.
Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes says
Looks like you had great fun and the cakes look really pretty though I don’t think I’d go for a naked cake when I get married. I love the idea of having a traditional fruit cake covered in royal icing mainly because that’s how I make my xmas cake and it’s my favourite cake of the year!
Choclette says
No more sugar craft? So glad I’m on trend for once 😉