By Cori Russell
As the centerpiece of your reception, wedding cakes are a bride's opportunity to make a major style statement. But many brides don't particularly like the taste of wedding cake, and some simply prefer to serve something a little more distinctive for the dessert course. Looking for something different? Browse our ideas for a refreshing spin on the traditional wedding cake.
1. Break the Mold
Cupcakes and doughnuts are trendy alternatives to traditional wedding cakes, but good ol' Jell-O might be the most creative new option. When molded into cake form with a touch of class and ingredients like tropical fruit, champagne, and lychee nut, the family picnic favorite can be transformed into an elegant and refreshingly light treat perfect for a summer or outdoor wedding. Plus, it's bound to be an instant conversation starter. Love the idea? Present it to your caterer to recreate it.
2. Wedding Cakes Made of Cheese
Scattered plates with barely nibbled pieces of wedding cake are an all-too-familiar sight at receptions. If you want to serve a dessert your guests will actually eat, consider a wedding "cake" made of cheese. No, not the rich, loaded with sugar variety with graham cracker crust - literally a cake made of cheese stacked in tiers and decorated to look like a wedding cake. Adornments like foliage, grapes, berries, nuts, and flowers transform a creamy lancashire or unpasteurized cheddar into an elaborate wedding cake that can match your decor scheme.
The trend is taking off in Europe where cheese for dessert is prevalent. In its infancy in the United States, this is a chance for you to be truly on the cusp. Guests with a savory soft spot and those last holdovers from the Atkins revolution will be only too happy to forego the buttercream frosting and rolled fondant.
3. Blinged out Baked Goods
When it comes to wedding day bling, bejeweled brides have some competition. Now your cake can don jewelry too! That's right, the latest adornments to hit wedding cakes are hand-made Swarovski Crystal Cake Jewelry. Design a sparkilicious cake bedecked with crystal monograms, hearts, flowers or butterflies. Order a cake from your local bakery, then use the customizing tools available at Verydifferentcakes.com to design dazzling cake jewelry for it.
4. Flavorful Fountains
If you like the look of iced tiers, but want something truly surprising, have rich, velvety gourmet cheesecakes stacked and decorated like a traditional wedding cake. Your guests will be none the wiser until it is time to slice up.
Need more cake ideas check out Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes
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