CHICAGO (WLS) — As people look for ways to save money on weddings, smaller ceremonies with a more DIY element are becoming more popular.
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According to a survey by Zola, an online wedding registry and planner, the average cost of a wedding in the United States is $33,000.
Not only will these projects save you money, but they will also add a personal touch to your wedding decor.
Marianne Arbovious, assistant professor of baking and pastry at National Louis University’s Kendall College, appeared on ABC7 Chicago on Monday to share her DIY wedding cake ideas.
One simple wedding cake design that is suitable for all skill levels is called the “naked cake.”
Naked cakes are simple designs using a minimal amount of frosting, leaving the cake itself visible. These cakes do not require advanced cake decorating skills, take less time to decorate, and can be prepared in advance.
“You just bake the cake layers nice and straight,” says Arbobias, “and then you just decorate it at the end.”
Arbovious said achieving the polished look is all about using the right tools and techniques to achieve a flawless, smooth finish.
To avoid smudging, Arbovious recommended applying a crumb coat before the final layer of icing to set the crumb in place.
Use straws or dowels to make the base cake sturdy enough to support the weight of the second layer.
Once you arrive at the venue, you’ll paint the second layer of the cake. Then, add the finishing touches to the frosting.
For extra decorativeness, use edible luster powder to create gold decorations.
“It’s an edible powder, and if you add a little bit of alcohol like Everclear or lemon extract, you can make a paint that can be used as a little decoration,” Arbobias said.
Arbobias recommends avoiding boxed cake mixes for wedding cakes, as they tend to be less sturdy and less suitable for multi-layered cakes. She offers recipes for a cake base and a simple frosting below.
Cake Recipe
material:
– 2 cups cake flour
– 1 1/3 cups sugar
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 2 teaspoons kosher salt
– 11 tablespoons of room temperature butter
– 1/2 cup room temperature buttermilk
– 1 egg
– 3 egg whites
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Buttercream Recipe
Yield: Approximately 3 cups
material:
– 3 cups powdered sugar
– 1 cup room temperature butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use clear if you want a whiter buttercream)
– 1-3 tablespoons of cream
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