Although the wedding cake is usually one of the last details engaged couples settle on before the big day, it's just as important for setting the tone and style of the celebration as the flowers or the invitations. An elegant, towering Croquembouche studded with golden almonds and wrapped in clouds of spun sugar sends a different message than a rich-looking Gianduja Truffle Cake decorated with fresh fruit and dusted with gold powder or a White Chocolate Satin Apricot Cake adorned with flowers (click to see photos). Chef Dede Wilson believes that wedding cakes should be aesthetically pleasing, but above all should "reflect the tastes, beliefs, and desires of the bridal couple." With the aim of creating cakes that taste as good as they look, Wilson lends her expertise and creative spirit to the marvelous constructions in The Wedding Cake Book.

As much a cookbook as a source of inspiration, The Wedding Cake Book takes bakers--novices and experts alike--step by step through the process of conceptualizing, baking, assembling, and decorating wedding cakes of all levels of difficulty. Each recipe page includes the components needed to make the pictured cake (layers, fillings, decorating accouterments, equipment); the number of servings; the level of difficulty (easier, moderate, or complex); and the recipe and preparation instructions. Other chapters cover finishing touches, cake accompaniments such as sauces and fillings, equipment, and resources for special ingredients or professional equipment. Bakers looking for detailed instructions and delicious recipes and brides seeking ideas for the perfect cake for their postnuptial celebration will find what they're after in The Wedding Cake Book.


Book Description
The wedding market is a $32 billion business. Experts say that brides-to-be generally buy every book and magazine they can get their hands on when planning a wedding, and yet, remarkably, The Wedding Cake Book is the first cookbook of its kind -- a gorgeous idea book that really shows you how to bake a beautiful wedding cake. There are 30 complete recipes in all, with detailed, step-by-step instructions. A one-of-a-kind resource, with gorgeous photography throughout, The Wedding Cake Book is sure to become a classic cookbook among bakers, and makes the perfect shower gift.


From the Inside Flap
How many tiers should the wedding cake have? Should the tiers be separated with pillars or stacked? Chocolate, vanilla, or almond cake layers? What flavor buttercream? Fresh lilies or marzipan roses? Lemons curd, blackberry curd, or both? Decorative with ganache, ribbons, gold dragées, nuts, or icing?

The Wedding Cake Book offers you the answers to all of these questions, along with complete baking and decorating instructions for thirty gorgeous cakes, all beautifully photographed.

The wedding cake is often the centerpiece of the reception — it is a symbol of new love. It's meant to be savored long after the last bite is eaten. Whether you're planning your own wedding (Congratulations!) or making a wedding cake for a special friend or relative, The Wedding Cake Book will be invaluable to you.

Frst, author Dee Wilson helps you to plan: will the wedding be casual or formal; how many guests are there; what is the budget? The basics of making a wedding cake come next: cake sizing, baking techniques, storing and transporting, how to work with chocolate and pastry bags. Specialty tools are discussed, including icing spatulas, decorating turntables, masonite boards, and combing tools. Then there are specialty techniques like assembling cakes with pillars, crystallizing flowers, working with fresh greenery, sugar molding, and working with marzipan and chocolate plastic.

A chapter on basic cake making contains dozens of recipes for cake layers in every flavor and size, varieties of buttercreams, frostings, curds and fillings, and chocolate ganache.

If you're tired of the old standard—white cake with white buttercream—then The Wedding Cake Book is the book for you. gorgeous designs feature fresh flowers and foliage, crystallized flowers and fruits, marzipan flowers, nuts and leaves, both square and round cakes, and more. If you're looking for something unique, you'll find cheesecakes, coffee cakes, and even a Flaming Baked Alaska wedding cake.

Dede believes a cake should not only be beautiful but also delicious. Here are a few of her exciting recipes: White Chocolate Satin Apricot Cake with White Chocolate Flowers and rapes, Double Expresso Wedding Cake, Hazelnut Dacquoise and Hazelnut Génoise Wedding Cake, and Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake.

Wedding memories are meant to be cherished for a lifetime. and the cake should be just as special. The Wedding Cake Book presents a world of delicious flavors, wonderful colors, and striking designs to make sure that your wedding day mdash; and your cake — are unforgettable.


Back Cover Copy
"Looks like an instant classic! Dede Wilson's The Wedding Cake Book has it all—whether for the professional cake maker or the aspirant—detailed recipes, thoughtful tips and comments, and the classiest wedding cakes I've seen. The only items missing are the bride and groom."—Marcel Desauliners, Author of Death by Chocolate and Desserts to Die For

"After reading this amazing book I felt that I had earned a Ph. D. in wedding cakes. All of these gorgeous cakes are truly works of art. Dede writes with such loving care and great attention to detail that she will be right there with you through the whole process. You will be thrilled with the results."—Maida Heatter, Author of seven baking books, including Maida Heatter's Brand-New Book of Great Cookies

"Dede Wilson's The Wedding Cake Book tells you everything you need to know to create sumptuous-tasting masterpieces, whether you want to start your own business, inspire your favorite baker, or just bake one yourself."—Flo Braker, Author of The Simple Art of Perfect Baking and President of the International Association of Culinary Professionals.

"Dede Wilson has given us a complete guide to wedding cakes—the most delicious recipes are coupled with the most beautiful designs and decorations. The Wedding Cake Book is a triumph!"—Nick Malgieri, Author of How to Bake and Vice President and Director of Baking Program for Peter Kump's School of Culinary Arts.


About the Author
DEDE WILSON is a self-taught pastry chef whose specialities include chocolate work and wedding cakes. She has worked professionally for more than ten years as a restaurant pastry chef, bakery owner, caterer, and recipe developer. Currently, Dede's focus is on teaching, baking for private clients, and writing about food in local newspapers and national magazines such as Cook's Illustraated and Pastry Art and Design. She is an active member of the IACP and resides in wester Massachusetts.

ANNOTATION

This one-of-a-kind resource presents an idea book that shows readers how to bake a beautiful wedding cake. Thirty complete recipes are featured, with detailed, step-by-step instructions. 30 color photos. Size D. 192 pp. 15,000 print.

FROM THE PUBLISHER