Wedding Cake Project: Week 2 & Week 3

Okay, so here I am playing catch up as usual.  But these were pretty major steps so I wanted to catch you up to speed on the Wedding Cake Project.   It's time to focus on something major. The taste! Let's get real... What's the last wedding cake you can remember the design and detail of? Now what about the taste? In the long run, you only remember what your favorite cakes tasted like, not what they look like. I know, I know the bride will definitely remember what it looks like and I'm focusing on that too... just not this week. One thing at a time... please, I can only think about one thing at a time. 


I started off with an almond sour cream cake and a chocolate version of the same cake. This will be the only cake at the wedding so we are going to alternate white cake and chocolate cake.

I am happy to announce we have settled on the white cake. However, the chocolate cake was not nearly chocolatey enough.   I made three different ultra chocolatey cakes to see what was the favorite. 

And I'd like to introduce you to the winner. Details to come about the recipe.

Second update is that i am officially finished with the Wilton Icing classes at Michael's.  They were such a life saver.  If you are interested in getting into this sort of stuff, I would totally recommend them... with a few notes.  First, this is not a self contained class.  You do not just show up and work on cakes.  You need to make cakes or cupcakes weekly as well as mix your own icing before class.  I was serious about learning this stuff and needed to test cakes anyway so it was great, but know there is a lot of outside work to prepare for each week.  Second, the classes focus on things like icing roses and leaves and that is not exactly what I was looking for.  But! I learned a lot about smooth icing and my instructor Lilliana wasn't always thrilled when I was working on ruffles instead of rose petals, but we worked it out.

I'm totally keeping this cheesy certificate for all of eternity. 

I had quite the  practice when my sister in law asked me to help make the smash cake for my nephew, Truman's birthday.  Not too shabby, but miles to go. 

I'm hoping the wedding cake doesn't get eaten in quite the same fashion, but I am glad Truman enjoyed it. 

So here we are at week 4.  Eek.  It's go time this Saturday.  I've got quite the schedule worked out for baking and making 8 gazillion gallons of icing.  If I'm still standing at the end of the weekend (and all four tiers of this beast get built and eaten), I'll let you know how it goes.