We live in the South, so heat and humidity are just what is expected
this time of year. Oh, how I long for the days when I don't have to run
the car's A/C for ten minutes before we can load a cake or when the
condensation appears so quickly on our cakes. To make matters worse,
the new trendy place to have a reception is in a "Barn". Not all barns
are created equal by far! Some are beautiful and elegant and some are
so "rustic" that I can't believe how much they are charging. For the
record, my very favorite barn venue is Walnut Hill Farm in Dalton,GA.
Nanette has impeccable taste and the landscaping is flawless. There is
nothing rustic about their venue and that's the way I roll!
Cakes
and heat do not play well together, especially real
butter-buttercream! Last year we delivered to a very "rustic" oven... er, I
mean barn, and I was sick all day worrying about the cake. The family
didn't want to spend money on portable A/C units and the giant fans were
only making the oven/barn feel more like an outdoor convection oven.
They also didn't want fondant so the cake was all buttercream. The
bride did have to move up the cutting so that the cake didn't melt. We
came home and our best friend Chris, who is a bankruptcy lawyer, came
over for a visit. I explained how worried I was about the cake holding
up and how I told the bride, at the consultation, about all the bad
things that can happen to cakes in the heat. For example, bugs fly up
and get stuck in the buttercream or lightweight decorations like
pearls/dragees slide down as the cake heats up (I've seen this happen
five minutes after putting a cake outside). Chris's answer to me was
"did they sign something that says they understood what could happen and
that you aren't responsible?" "No, but I explained it!" His answer is
what we all need to remember, "If they didn't sign or initial something,
then it didn't happen". I made two major changes that hot day. One, I
have an amendment (lawyer term) to my contract that lists everything
that could happen and that I'm not responsible if the client chooses to go against my recommendations. Two, on the form my
potential clients fill out they have to list if the cake is going to be
outdoors. That way, at least one of the samples have fondant. Speaking
of fondant, it is now our policy that ALL outdoor cakes have to be
covered in fondant. That way I help them avoid tragedies that will
tarnish their day. I will back down on this if I am pushed hard, but I
tell them to trust my experience and I'm not doing it to make "extra
money". It's INSURANCE, but not a guarantee! Please protect your
business and the couple's cake "experience".
Oh! The cake...not much to tell you about this one, hence the hot weather advice. Don't get me wrong, I really do like it, but the simple design doesn't lend itself to an entire blog post. I used the very large rose tip to do the buttercream ruffle. It's very "rustic" and not "too" perfect, which is a good thing when you are busy :) The only non-buttercream element on the cake is the large flower thing. I made two, one for a back up in case the first broke. I used gumpaste and the thinner you roll it the better. Just make a big circle a little smaller than what you want the "flower". Now insert two wooden skewers into the circle so you can install it safely on the cake later. Think of the skewers like the two supports that come on monogram toppers. Then make strips of fondant, wet one edge and gather them like putting curtains on a rod. Use some sugar glue and attach it on top of the circle, letting the edge of the ruffle hand over the circle. Add another row or two and a center piece. It's just a ball of fondant, but you could use pearls, rhinestones or dragees. Let it dry for a few days because it is going to be "thick" with all of those layers. Have fun with it!
Very pretty cake and I'm really liking that stand that it is on - its perfect for a rustic venue!
ReplyDeleteI love the simple design of the cake. I can totally understand the heat and cakes don't go together. Well, over well i am, the butter melts at room temperature, no need to be outdoors..LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty cake! I try to avoid cake making when it's super hot out. so stressful!
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