Sweet Ideas
Creative dessert alternatives for your wedding
Clare Baker
Sure, a fodant covered, buttercream frosted, five-tiered wedding cake makes for a nice table centerpiece. And yes, the cutting of the cake is a highly anticipated moment during a reception. But if you're looking to buck tradition and forgo a traditional wedding cake, consider some of these unique, but just as delectable desserts. And without that top tier to hold on to, just think of all the freezer space you'll save.
Cupcakes
Serving cupcakes in lieu of cake has been a hot trend for a few years now, says Moe Thie, manager of Bakery Hill at the Midwest Culinary Institute. And given the versatility that cupcakes offer, it's no wonder. Can't decide between a vanilla or red velvet cake? Going with cupcakes gives you the option to serve both, plus a few dozen other flavors like carrot, lemon, chocolate and strawberry. Thie suggests infusing cupcakes with a filling like chocolate, cream cheese, or chocolate mousse for a boost in taste.
Cupcakes can add even more personalization to your reception as well. You can have cupcakes frosted in the colors of your wedding or decorated with silk or fondant flowers that match your bouquet. And who says cupcakes have to be round? Mix it up with heart-, star-, or flower-shaped treats. Susan Knabb, owner of The Sweeterie which specializes in cupcakes and cookies, says that cupcakes also work well for a more casual reception. Their pre-sliced nature allows guests to grab them as they like, sit down with their dessert or mingle with cupcake in hand.
So you're sold on cupcakes but torn because you still want the memory of cutting your cake? Thie suggests also ordering an oversized cupcake for you and your groom to slice into. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too.
Mini-Cakes
Like cupcakes, serving mini-cakes will provide you with more flexibility than just having one large cake. As with cupcakes, you can choose to serve a number of different flavors of cake or have the cakes decorated in a variety of ways.
Mini-cakes can take the form of a "dressier" cupcake—about 3-in. in diameter but frosted like a traditional cake—or as two- or three-tiered cake that is served at each table. Kathy Piech-Lukas, owner of Your Dream Day, says that the latter option creates a more intimate dining experience, adding that a mini-cake on each table also makes for a great centerpiece.
Cheesecake
Cheesecake continues to be a popular alternative wedding dessert, says Dora Manuel, owner of Viva Bella Events. Many brides that go this route choose to have a large multi-tiered cheesecake wedding cake decorated in classic cheesecake style, with fruit swirls and fresh fruit adorning the top. Or, if you're a sucker for tradition, you can have the cheesecake decorated to resemble a more conventional wedding cake, frosted with a cream cheese or buttercream icing, adorned with fondant or white chocolate. Another option is to ditch the big cake altogether and serve a cheesecake cake at each table.
The many flavors of cheesecake also make it a favorite for brides incorporating seasonal elements into their wedding. For a summer wedding, try key lime cheesecake. For the fall, may we suggest a pumpkin or caramel toffee cake. And for those winter wonderland weddings, consider a maple chestnut cheesecake or white-chocolate peppermint.
Dessert Bar
Can't decide on just one dessert? Then don't. Set up a dessert bar in conjunction with a wedding cake or as the main dessert. Guests can graze on everything from cookies and petits fours to pastries and truffles. With a dessert bar, you can also set up an ice cream bar so guests can build their own ice cream creations. You could serve the traditional sundae ingredients—hot fudge, caramel, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries—or go a more gourmet route with ice cream flavors like coffee, peach, or pistachio.
A popular variation on dessert bars are candy stations filled with five to 10 types of sweet treats that often coordinate with a bride's wedding color theme like wrapped chocolates, rock candy, lollipops, gummy candies, peppermints, and jelly beans. Joyce Smith, owner of Weddings Unlimited, says that the candy looks best when presented in apothecary jars or clear scoops jars. Candy stations can be displayed from the start of the reception or set up towards the end of the night so guest can stock up on their way home.
Pie
While some brides might shudder at the idea of devouring a slice of cherry pie in a pristine white dress, a growing number of them agree that pies take the cake. Pie is a great option if it's a staple at your family's summer picnics or holiday get-togethers. Add to those memories by serving a special family pie at your wedding. Or serve a number of different pies. As with cheesecake, pies provide a wealth of options when it comes to flavors.
And just because it's pie, don't assume that you can't dress up this alternative dessert to your wedding standards. Pies can be served as tiered creations with each double-crusted or lattice-topped layer adorned in flowers and fruit that give traditional wedding cakes a run for their money.
Family Favorite
Add a personal touch to your reception by sharing with your guests a traditional family recipe or dessert. Larry Brown, owner of Maribelle Cakery, says this is an increasingly popular trend. This can mean serving a traditional dessert from your heritage; for Italian brides and grooms that might be Italian wedding cake served with Neapolitan ice cream and pastry cream filled cannolis, or for Greek couples that may be Baklava or Kataifi.
Serving desserts with regional popularity is another way to interpret this trend. Heidi Pasqualetti, owner of I Thee Wed, says that chocolate bourbon bread pudding is a popular dessert with those from Southern backgrounds. Another Southern tradition gaining popularity in this area is serving a groom's cake, says Barb Harvey, owner of Incredible Endings. Treat your newly wed husband to a cake that is just of his liking—be that his favorite flavor, icing, or designed to reflect his favorite hobby.
Chocolate Display
If your love of chocolate is a close second only to your fiancé, consider serving a spread of chocolate goodies. For this option, you might choose to have a chocolate fountain to serve chocolate fondue as the dessert centerpiece. Great dippers for fondue include shortbread, biscotti, figs, pretzel rods, and of course fruits like strawberries, cherries, raspberries, bananas, and pears. With the fountain, you can serve painted chocolates, fudge, chocolate and caramel covered apples, chocolate pudding, and chocolate cake.
A cozy complement to a chocolate display is a hot chocolate and coffee station. Smith suggests treating your guests to chocolate and white chocolate hot chocolate with marshmallows as well as cappuccino, espresso, or coffee served with Italian syrups.