Those curious about what is Italian wedding cake can know more about this delectable three-layered cake in more detail below. We’ll learn what makes it different from other wedding cakes, and you’ll even find the recipe for making one of the most famous Italian cakes.
And speaking of wedding cake, do you know what flavor is the wedding cake? Consider reading our separate discussion if you’re curious about this unique flavor.
What Is A Traditional Italian Wedding Cake?
The traditional wedding cake that comes to mind is a tiered white cake, and among the tastiest ones you can try is the Italian cream cake. This Italian wedding cake is also a white layered cake, but you can distinguish it from others because of its texture.
Unlike the usual fluffy chiffon, an Italian wedding cake is denser. You can think of the texture of a carrot cake, but note the chopped nuts like pecans and walnuts in the flavor.
An Italian wedding cake also has coconut, and its frosting is mainly made from cream cheese. On the contrary, a typical wedding cake uses buttercream, royal icing, or any stable frosting to withstand temperature changes well.
Italian wedding cake recipe
- Preheat your oven to 325°F
- Mix shortening, sugar, butter, and egg yolks; do the same for the flour, salt, and baking soda on another bowl
- Mix the dry and wet ingredients on low speed, then blend in the vanilla
- Mix egg whites until you form firm peaks and fold them into the cake batter
- Fold in the chopped nuts and shredded coconut
- Transfer the Italian wedding cake batter into the pan and bake for 25 minutes
- Cool the cake and flip it into the wire rack
- For the frosting, mix butter, cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla
- Layer the wedding cake accordingly and cover the wedding cake
- Garnish with chopped nuts and toasted coconut; here is how to decorate a wedding cake to make your dessert more visually appealing for the wedding
- Refrigerate, but wait for an hour before slicing when you take it out of the fridge
What Is A Traditional Italian Wedding Cake Called?
There are two traditional Italian wedding cakes that you can try, especially if you’re going to Italy to get married. They are the Millefoglie and Crostata di frutta:
Millefoglie
When asking for recommendations, you’ll be referred to trying Millefoglie. This tasty Italian wedding cake is a cream-covered pastry dough with a crispy texture.
You can then choose the filling you prefer, including berries, lemon curd, or chocolate. And if this Italian pastry looks familiar, it is the Italian version of the Mille-feuille from France.
Crostata di Frutta
If you prefer tarts for your wedding, consider the Italian fruit tart cake called the Crostata di Frutta. You get to choose what fruits you want or try whatever is in season.
For example, a spring wedding can have a berry tart, while fall weddings can have pears and apples. And as for the filling, it can be Chantilly cream or pastry cream.
Is the Italian wedding cake from Italy?
Italian wedding cakes originated from Italy, and they differ from other wedding cakes because of their simplicity. While it’s traditional to have elaborate cakes to serve at the wedding reception, an Italian wedding cake is a simple flat and round-tiered cake.
One of the standard recipes is the Italian cream cake with coconut and pecans. However, the crispy Millefoglie and the colorful Crostata di Frutta are also recommended for Italian destination weddings.
What is a Sicilian wedding cake?
According to ITALY Magazine, one of the most famous Sicilian cakes is the Cassata. The Cassata Siciliana makes the perfect wedding cake because you’ll be getting a tasty but beautiful cake.
Think of candied fruits, ricotta, and almond marzipan in a sponge layered cake. And suppose you want to add another Sicilian dessert to your wedding.
In that case, there is also the Cannolo Siciliano, which is a fried dough tube shell with ricotta, nuts, chocolate, and candied fruit filling.
What Kind Of Cake Is Wedding Cake Made Of?
Traditional wedding cakes
Here are some popular elements you can expect on a traditional wedding cake:
- Tiered sponge cake with white frosting
- White fondant
- Meringue
- Buttercream
- Flowers
- Vanilla
- Lemon
Modern wedding cakes
- Tiered cake or a single round decadent cake
- Frosting can be another color besides white
- Chocolate
- Caramel
- Cream cheese
- Fruits
What Is The Difference Between A Wedding Cake And A Regular Cake?
A wedding cake differs from a regular cake because it is typically tiered and white in color. The most popular flavors are vanilla, lemon, and almond, while the frosting is something stable and won’t melt quickly.
Fondant, royal, and marzipan are common wedding cake icings used because they won’t get spoiled or lose shape quickly. Regardless, the couple can freely choose their favorite flavor for their wedding cake, and it doesn’t have to be layered or white.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We just found out what is Italian wedding cake, which is a white tiered cream cake with flavors of nuts, coconut, and cream cheese.
But if you’re having a destination wedding in Italy, you must try the crispy Millefoglie, fruity Crostata di Frutta, or the elegant Cassata Siciliana. Italy never disappoints with its culinary delights, so try an Italian cake if you don’t have a wedding cake yet.