The Sweet Plan Wedding Cake Guide - NJ Bakery

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Bergen County, New Jersey

One of the most important decisions a bride will make in planning her wedding will be the design of her wedding cake. It is not the most important design decision, but it should be made together with the other decisions that will make your wedding the special event you want it to be. Here's a guide to help.

Eight Months to Go:

Come up with design ideas that you think will work as an overall theme for your wedding. Browse the internet or bridal magazines for inspiration. Don’t just look at cakes; use other elements for your design. For example, do you want your cake to compliment the lace on your dress? Use any idea to spark your imagination!

You should have an idea of the type of cake you want – will it be a traditional cake, a farandole of mini cupcakes or a whimsical cake that fits your personality? The style of cake may also depend on the number of guests at your wedding. Discuss this with each baker you interview.

Start to narrow down the list of bakers you would like to meet with and make tasting / design appointments. Make sure you discuss your budget with the baker prior to making the appointment as some may not be able to work within your budget. Your goal during this initial meeting is to determine if you are satisfied with the product quality, review the baker’s portfolios, and determine who can help you create your dream cake.

Six Months to Go:

 

Many specialty bakers are booked several months in advance, especially during peak wedding seasons, so book early if you have a specific baker in mind. Your baker should be working with you on the design, and asking questions such as: "How do you envision your wedding? What color/design are your flowers? Is it a lunch or dinner? What is being served? Is this an outdoor wedding? What's the theme? Are you thinking of something offbeat or classic? What does your dress look like? Approximately how many guests are you anticipating?" All of these questions, and others, will help determine the best design and flavors to fit your preferences.

Most bakers will require a signed contract and a 50% deposit to book a date.

One Month to Go:

Double check all the details with your baker – from the final payment to the delivery instructions.

The Day After:

Enjoy the first day of your new life and let your bridesmaids or mother do all the work for you! If you want the top tier saved for your first anniversary, they need to remove any sugar flowers, double wrap the tier in several layers of plastic wrap, seal it in an airtight bag and store it in the freezer. Also, they will need to return any items you may have rented from the baker, such as a cake platform.

 

Homemade Graham Crackers for S'mores

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Earlier this week I shared a post for homemade marshmallows. Of course the next logical step is to share a recipe for homemade graham crackers so you can create the widely-loved S'mores!

 

One fun aspect of making your own crackers is the endless possibilities for shapes. How about heart shaped crackers with strawberry-flavored marshmallows for Valentine's Day? Or maybe duckie shaped crackers with lemon-flavored marshmallows for a baby shower? You see where I'm going...

These crackers are super easy to make and the taste will delight your guests!

Ingredients:
2 ¼ all-purpose flour (I prefer unbleached flour)
 ½ cup packed brown sugar
1¾ teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pieces
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:
1. In a bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Work the butter into the dry ingredients using your fingers. The mixture should resemble cornmeal when you are finished.
3. Stir in the cold water, honey and vanilla.
4. Form dough into a ball. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
6. Roll out dough to your desired thickness between two pieces of parchment (dust lightly with flour if it is sticking). Cut into squares with a pizza cutter or use a cookie cutter for different shapes. Place on lined cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Use a fork to make indentations to your liking.
7. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let set for 10 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.

Pistachio Marshmallows

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Homemade marshmallows are an often requested item for our dessert bars. These clouds of yumminess stand on their own or can be incorporated into a traditional dessert, such as the good-old S'more.

 

The following recipe is what I consider my 'no fail' marshmallow recipe as it works perfect everytime! I've added pistachios to the following recipe, but you can flavor as you wish (e.g. vanilla bean, lemon zest, etc..).

 

Pistachio Marshmallows:

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup crushed pistachios (roasted and salted)
• 1/2 ounce granulated gelatin
• 3 fluid ounces cold water
• 8 ounces granulated sugar
• 1 fluid ounce light corn syrup
• 1 fluid ounce water
• 2 egg whites

 

Instructions:

 
1. Sprinkle gelatin over 3 fluid ounces of cold water. Allow to hydrate.
2. Add all remaining ingredients, except pistachios, in a mixing bowl. Place bowl over simmering water and whisk until sugar is dissolved (e.g. 140 degrees F).
3. Add gelatin and whip at medium-high speed using the whisk attachment. Mixture will rise in volume and thicken (note: if you are using food coloring, add a few drops and continue to mix for a minute).
4. Gently fold pistachios into mixture.
5. Spread mixture onto a 1/4 sheet pan lined with plastic wrap and buttered.
6. Chill in refridgerator for approximately 2 hours to fully set.
7. Cut into desired sizes (note: you may also use a cookie cutter to create shapes).

 



Elephant Themed Baby Shower - NJ Custom Cakes

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Baby shower cakes are such a joy to design and make! This cake was designed by collaborating with the mother-to-be and using her invitation as inspiration. Obviously lots of dots and elephants on the invitation!

The expecting mother must have been having chocolate cravings as this is a chocolate cake with chocolate praline filling covered in chocolate ganache.



NJ Wedding Cake

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Our latest wedding cake design. We used styrofoam under the bottom tier to allow the addition of our signature 'sugar feet.'

Cake Pops and Truffles for All Occasions!

Cake pops and cake truffles appeared on the bakery scene several years ago and, according to our customers, the 'fad' is still going strong. These yummy little confections can be decorated in countless ways and can be as elegant or as cute and playful as you want. The following photos are just a few of our creations:

The above cake pop bouquet serves nicely as a centerpiece to welcome a new baby boy! The white buckets can be found at most craft stores and dressed up with a coordinating ribbon.

 

Expecting a girl? The above truffles are decorated with sugarpaste butterflies and done in the popular pink and brown color palate for baby showers.

How about a little edible glitter on your pops to enhance the affair! The cake pops above are arranged in a champagne glass around the table numbers for the party guests.

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Sweet Sixteen Masquerade Cake - NJ Custom Cakes

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

We created this cake for a very special gal turning 16. Its always fun to design a cake when you have livid colors and a great theme to work with.

Obviously, the theme was a masquerade ball and the colors were purple, jewel green, and gold. The three masks on the cake were fashioned from gumpaste and lots of edible glitter.

Nomi Network Purse Cake

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

We were honored last Fall to create a purse cake for the Nomi Network annual fund raiser in NYC. Since the inception of our company, Pam and I have donated to multiple chartiable causes, but Nomi Network holds a special place in our hearts due to the amazing work they are doing. Please take a moment to read the paragraph below and, if you are able, help support this most worthwhile cause.


"Buy Her Bag Not her Body is created by Nomi Network, a non-profit organization working to eradicate sexual slavery and the trafficking of women. We've created a partnership between the fashion industry and cause-driven, well-designed merchandise made by at-risk women and survivors of sexual exploitation, providing them with fair, sustainable employment opportunities. Supported by people like you, our stylish, high quality products don't just look good, they do good. 100% of the profit is reinvested into training and career development programs for women"

Congratulations to all the Newly Engaged Couples

http://www.confectionarydesigns.com

Bergen County, New Jersey

Statistics show that 50% of engagements occur over the holiday season. Congratulations if you are one of the lucky couples engaged over the 2011 season! In celebration we are republishing our "Wedding Cake Sweet Plan."

One of the most important decisions a bride will make in planning her wedding will be the design of her wedding cake. It is not the most important design decision, but it should be made together with the other decisions that will make your wedding the special event you want it to be. Here's a guide to help.


Eight Months to Go:

Come up with design ideas that you think will work as an overall theme for your wedding. Browse the internet or bridal magazines for inspiration. Don’t just look at cakes; use other elements for your design. For example, do you want your cake to compliment the lace on your dress? Use any idea to spark your imagination!

You should have an idea of the type of cake you want – will it be a traditional cake, a farandole of mini cupcakes or a whimsical cake that fits your personality? The style of cake may also depend on the number of guests at your wedding. Discuss this with each baker you interview.

Start to narrow down the list of bakers you would like to meet with and make tasting / design appointments. Make sure you discuss your budget with the baker prior to making the appointment as some may not be able to work within your budget. Your goal during this initial meeting is to determine if you are satisfied with the product quality, review the baker’s portfolios, and determine who can help you create your dream cake.

Six Months to Go:

Many specialty bakers are booked several months in advance, especially during peak wedding seasons, so book early if you have a specific baker in mind. Your baker should be working with you on the design, and asking questions such as: "How do you envision your wedding? What color/design are your flowers? Is it a lunch or dinner? What is being served? Is this an outdoor wedding? What's the theme? Are you thinking of something offbeat or classic? What does your dress look like? Approximately how many guests are you anticipating?" All of these questions, and others, will help determine the best design and flavors to fit your preferences.

Most bakers will require a signed contract and a 50% deposit to book a date.

One Month to Go:

Double check all the details with your baker – from the final payment to the delivery instructions.

The Day After:

Enjoy the first day of your new life and let your bridesmaids or mother do all the work for you! If you want the top tier saved for your first anniversary, they need to remove any sugar flowers, double wrap the tier in several layers of plastic wrap, seal it in an airtight bag and store it in the freezer. Also, they will need to return any items you may have rented from the baker, such as a cake platform.