CAKE, DESSERT & BEYOND

by ANNE PYBURN CRAIG

date posted: March 11, 2017

It used to be simple: wedding feast = cake.
And for sheer drama, nothing beats a gracefully tiered and
artfully frosted wedding cake with a topper.

But today’s couples are all about overturning dogmatic dictates to find the true meaning within, and the true meaning of a delicious dessert is pretty straightforward:

it’s the final grace note of love for the people you’re feeding.

Like everything else about your wedding celebration, your dessert approach begins and ends with your budget and your dream; however, considering the tastes of your families and friends just makes a sweet experience sweeter.

cakes themselves have been transformed. consider these design options for the overall look:

Metallic
Monogrammed
Ombre (shading from light to dark in a single hue)
Abstract-painted (marbleized, stained glass, tie-dyed)
Illustrated
Naked (works best with luscious fillings visible)
Geometric

decoration, too, isn’t just about fondant roses anymore you can enhance your cake with:

Edible lace (copy the pattern of the lace on your gown for a subtle unifying touch!)
Rosettes
Sugar (or real) flowers
Ruffles
Edible glitter

beyond cake:
Maybe you’re just not cake folks, or maybe you’d rather invest those funds in a diverse array of tasty desserts instead of, or in addition to, the main attraction.

other yummies can be arrayed on a tiered table:

Fruit parfaits
S’mores
Macarons
Brownies
Cookies
Chocolate-dipped fruits
Pastries

cake alternatives can be displayed in tiers like a cake, offering an attention-getting centerpiece with no cutting required:

Cake pops
Cake push pop tree
Doughnuts in tiers
Fruit tarts
Cupcakes

dessert table tips: Choose a pretty but simple table covering. A dessert stand can be almost anything with a pretty fabric over it! A backdrop for your dessert table can display your wedding logo or any design you prefer; however, pretty desserts should steal the show. Simplicity is your friend!

A dessert table should have an abundant, glorious look. Fill your table well: arrange the desserts in varied patterns and at various heights. Whether or not you center your display around a cake, a tiered display will show your assortment of treats to the best advantage.

for your sugar-free guests:
Consider a fruit station! Few things are lovelier than fruits and berries. Add yogurt and guests can build their own healthy sweet treats.

The Alternative Baker

Rosendale, 845-658-3355, lemoncakes.com

This bakery is renowned for its handmade traditional and alternative baked goods, offering scratch-baked goods plus allergy-friendly options. Everything is made only with the most natural of ingredients. They use fresh shell eggs, whole fresh milk, unsalted butter without additives, pure olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil, and canola oil. They also make spelt and vegan cakes.

Bread Alone Bakery

Boiceville, Kingston, Rhinebeck, Woodstock, 914-388-7588, breadalone.com

Bread Alone Bakery is a family-owned, values-driven bakery whose vision has not changed since the day it opened: create delicious, honest breads and foods. Staff will work with you to craft your perfect wedding cake from scratch using only the best local ingredients. Call for a consultation and tasting at one of their four cafés in the Hudson Valley: Boiceville, Kingston, Rhinebeck, and Woodstock.

Frida’s Bakery & Cafe

Milton, 845-795-5550, fridasbakeryny.com

Frida’s Bakery & Café represents not only small-town charm, but also quality, service and hospitality. Their philosophy is simple: use fine ingredients and employ traditional methods to produce exceptional baked goods. Frida’s Bakery & Café offers a catering menu for group events, and a spacious contemporary second story loft, perfect to host your special private events and parties. Call today to place your pie, dessert or cake orders!

Julie’s Pies and Cheesecakes

Kerhonkson, 845-626-1173, juliespies.com

Julie’s Pies and Cheesecakes are truly homemade from scratch using only local, fresh ingredients. Pies, cheesecakes, cakes, and other goodies are all made fresh to-order, and she specializes in wedding pie dessert bars. Let Julie share her love of baking with you on your special day.

Lydia’s Cafe

Stone Ridge, 845-687-6373, lydiasdeli.com

Beautiful and delicious. See for yourselves what chef Roni can create for your special event by visiting our web page. Or better still, stop by Lydia's Cafe in historic Stone Ridge and taste for yourselves. Specialty cakes, pies, and a whole host of goodies are yours for the asking.

Peace, Love and Cupcakes

Woodstock, 845-247-3687, woodstockcupcakes.com

A multiple award-winning cupcake shop featuring a huge array of delicious cupcakes and cookies. They only use the highest quality ingredients, locally sourced and organic whenever possible. Not only do they offer all the traditional sugar and butter choices, but they also make vegan, gluten-free, and raw versions as well. Food Network has honored them with two wins for “The Best Cake in the Country!” and “Rewrapped.” MSNBC featured them, and they are also a “Best of the Hudson Valley” business.