Useful Information

Thoughts on choosing wedding and special occasion cakes

Why are cakes used to celebrate special occasions?

Cakes are often chosen to celebrate major occasions. Weddings and birthdays
traditionally use cakes as a big part of the celebration. The custom of
using cake to celebrate special occasions dates back to Roman times,
although cakes in their modern form were not developed until the 15th
century, with imports of sugar becoming available. At this time a cake was
only available to the very privileged, cementing its place as a food for
special occasions.

Cake customs

As cakes are linked with celebrations there are certain cake rituals that
are linked to certain occasions. For example, for a persons birthday candles
are put on a cake and a wish is made when they are blown out. At a wedding
the bride and groom cut the cake together and often the smallest tier of the
cake is stored and eaten on the first wedding anniversary.

Types of cake

There are literally thousands of cake recipes available, the most common
occasion cake is a form of the sponge cake or a fruit cake. Types of cake
are:

Wedding cakes: Wedding cakes are usually tiered and elaborately
decorated. Often they are decorated with a cake topper or can incorporate
elaborate sugar designs. Traditionally a wedding cake is white, however
contempory designs can be in any colour. Fruit cake is a traditional recipe
for wedding cake, although many different types of sponge can be used for a
wedding. Cup cake towers are a modern twist on the wedding cake.

Anniversary cakes: As with wedding cakes anniversary cakes can be
elegant, classic or more contempory.

Children`s cakes: A lot of fun can be had with children`s cake design.
Princesses, superheroes or tv shows can be the inspiration for an eloborate
cake

Different cake flavours

Whatever the occasion a cake can be made in many flavours. Some common
choices include Victoria Sponge (plain sponge with jam and buttercream
filling), chocolate fudge, carrot, coffee and walnut, banana and fruit
cake.

What to look for when choosing cakes

An occasion cake should be immaculately presented. The most important thing
to consider when choosing a cake is the way it tastes and feels in your
mouth. The texture of a cake is very important. It should be fresh and
moist. A good sponge cake should feel light and airy, whilst a rich
fruitcake has a more dense texture and a deep intense flavour.

Birthday gifts

ABOUT A1 Gifts

A1 Gifts is an established gifts retailer with a strong reputation for value
and customer service. We offer a wide range of unusual & unique products
that are ideal presents for men, women and children of all ages including
christening gifts for new born`s, birthdays, anniversaries and so forth. We
hold everything in stock and can offer fast UK delivery in 1-3 days and we
can offer Next Working Day Delivery for non-personalised items. We also
offer a full luxury gift wrap and hand written tag service to make life even
easier.

 

Joe And Janine