Hints on Tastings

Photographer: Rebecca Jones

I love cake! I mean I seriously LOVE CAKE! So when a client asks me what to look for in a cake, I take that very seriously... probably too seriously. Nahhh... it's cake!

How do you taste a cake to make sure that you love it, that it's everything you want it to be, especially your wedding cake!?!?

That's a great question, and I am so glad you asked!

We've actually talked about MasterPiece Weddings and how we do cake tastings for our clients. But let's talk about the actual tasting part.

First, look at the cake, does it look pretty... even if it's just a slice of cake. Is it crumbly or is it a nice moist piece of cake.

Second, check out the filling, is it pretty and glossy... if its fruit, does it look like the fruit it's supposed to be... if it's Strawberry and Cream, does it look like it?

Now you can taste it... but wait!

Taste the filling first, do you like it, is it tasty?

Taste the cake next... Yummy? Moist? Delicious?

Taste the frosting next... what do you think? Too Sweet? Grainy? Deliciously perfect?

Now taste them all together! How do they taste all together, perfect? Be thinking about how the flavors meld in your mouth, do you like the way they all come together?

It should!

That is my idea of the perfect cake tasting!

Now bring on the coffee!

Hints on Tastings

Photographer: Rebecca Jones

I love cake! I mean I seriously LOVE CAKE! So when a client asks me what to look for in a cake, I take that very seriously... probably too seriously. Nahhh... it's cake!

How do you taste a cake to make sure that you love it, that it's everything you want it to be, especially your wedding cake!?!?

That's a great question, and I am so glad you asked!

We've actually talked about MasterPiece Weddings and how we do cake tastings for our clients. But let's talk about the actual tasting part.

First, look at the cake, does it look pretty... even if it's just a slice of cake. Is it crumbly or is it a nice moist piece of cake.

Second, check out the filling, is it pretty and glossy... if its fruit, does it look like the fruit it's supposed to be... if it's Strawberry and Cream, does it look like it?

Now you can taste it... but wait!

Taste the filling first, do you like it, is it tasty?

Taste the cake next... Yummy? Moist? Delicious?

Taste the frosting next... what do you think? Too Sweet? Grainy? Deliciously perfect?

Now taste them all together! How do they taste all together, perfect? Be thinking about how the flavors meld in your mouth, do you like the way they all come together?

It should!

That is my idea of the perfect cake tasting!

Now bring on the coffee!

The Vegan Cake Search...

So I'm Erinn, and I'm the MasterPiece Weddings Intern. I'm currently in the process of planning my own wedding for next December and have found myself in a cake rut. You see, I have a ton of allergies and my fiance has none. I'm not going to force all of my guests to eat a cake that tastes like cardboard just because I can't eat some of the ingredients. So what to do, what to do?


Many people don't understand the world of vegan wedding cakes. Some people may hear the word dairy free and cake in the same sentence and try to run. What you don't know, is how beautiful a vegan cake or dessert display can turn out to be:

{cake 1} {cake 2} {cake 3} {cake 4}

So here is my problem. I don't want to have to get two cakes considering most wedding guests nibble at a cake and never eat the whole piece. Is it worth it to find a beautiful vegan cake and have my guests just deal with the taste difference? Or settle for buying two smaller cakes with one being vegan and the other yummy, creamy, and dairy delicious?

The Vegan Cake Search...

So I'm Erinn, and I'm the MasterPiece Weddings Intern. I'm currently in the process of planning my own wedding for next December and have found myself in a cake rut. You see, I have a ton of allergies and my fiance has none. I'm not going to force all of my guests to eat a cake that tastes like cardboard just because I can't eat some of the ingredients. So what to do, what to do?


Many people don't understand the world of vegan wedding cakes. Some people may hear the word dairy free and cake in the same sentence and try to run. What you don't know, is how beautiful a vegan cake or dessert display can turn out to be:

{cake 1} {cake 2} {cake 3} {cake 4}

So here is my problem. I don't want to have to get two cakes considering most wedding guests nibble at a cake and never eat the whole piece. Is it worth it to find a beautiful vegan cake and have my guests just deal with the taste difference? Or settle for buying two smaller cakes with one being vegan and the other yummy, creamy, and dairy delicious?

Non-Cake/Cake...

Don't like cake? Read this!!

There are many reasons why couples are choosing not to have a wedding cake at their reception. They may be seeking something nontraditional and edgy and as they become bored by "the norm".



Perhaps they have attended too many catered weddings where no one touched the cake because they'd already had a full meal plus dessert. Budget can be another reason seeing as though cakes (anddon't forget serving fees!) are awfully expensive -or maybe, just maybe, they plain old DON'T LIKE CAKE.



The secret to a wedding cake alternative is simple--PRESENTATION.



Whatever you're serving, think possibly stack it in tiers. You can get really creative in your dessert table and turn almost anything into food fit for the most special occasion.



Some fun alternatives to cake include: pies, ice cream sundaes (who doesn't love a good banana split), a candy bar, rice krispie treats, fudge, chocolate fountain, cake truffles and dessert shooters.



Again, the key to cake alternatives is presentation. I personally love when non-traditional desserts are stacked in tiers to look like a traditional wedding cake. It makes for a classy, yet fun twist to your dessert display. Look at all these colorful cake alternatives. What do you think??



What would you do instead of cake?



Source: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5, Picture 6



Thank you Maggie, for writing such a great post!!! I love it!!!

Non-Cake/Cake...

Don't like cake? Read this!!

There are many reasons why couples are choosing not to have a wedding cake at their reception. They may be seeking something nontraditional and edgy and as they become bored by "the norm".



Perhaps they have attended too many catered weddings where no one touched the cake because they'd already had a full meal plus dessert. Budget can be another reason seeing as though cakes (anddon't forget serving fees!) are awfully expensive -or maybe, just maybe, they plain old DON'T LIKE CAKE.



The secret to a wedding cake alternative is simple--PRESENTATION.



Whatever you're serving, think possibly stack it in tiers. You can get really creative in your dessert table and turn almost anything into food fit for the most special occasion.



Some fun alternatives to cake include: pies, ice cream sundaes (who doesn't love a good banana split), a candy bar, rice krispie treats, fudge, chocolate fountain, cake truffles and dessert shooters.



Again, the key to cake alternatives is presentation. I personally love when non-traditional desserts are stacked in tiers to look like a traditional wedding cake. It makes for a classy, yet fun twist to your dessert display. Look at all these colorful cake alternatives. What do you think??



What would you do instead of cake?



Source: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3, Picture 4, Picture 5, Picture 6



Thank you Maggie, for writing such a great post!!! I love it!!!

Budget Saver!

I know you hear over and over again, that the biggest way to safe money is to cut your guest list, but what if that just isn't an option for you?



Some people just can't cut the number of people. And I understand that!



But what if you cut the food - I mean, don't invite people and expect them to starve. But what are your options?



Southern Style:



What about a Tea and Cake Reception, or Champagne and Cake? If you plan your ceremony after 8PM, and note on your invitation, "Dessert Reception to Follow" you'd be in store for this:

and this: {Dressed up the Champage with different kinds of fruit}

cakes by Posh Pastry {for 2 Year Old birthday party}

Budget Saver!

I know you hear over and over again, that the biggest way to safe money is to cut your guest list, but what if that just isn't an option for you?



Some people just can't cut the number of people. And I understand that!



But what if you cut the food - I mean, don't invite people and expect them to starve. But what are your options?



Southern Style:



What about a Tea and Cake Reception, or Champagne and Cake? If you plan your ceremony after 8PM, and note on your invitation, "Dessert Reception to Follow" you'd be in store for this:

and this: {Dressed up the Champage with different kinds of fruit}

cakes by Posh Pastry {for 2 Year Old birthday party}

Cute Topper!

Personalized Gator Cake Toppers!



KB Kakes is now offering Personalized Gator Cake Toppers!



Check out the topper she made for Eiryn and Vince! He's a doctor and she's a nurse! {gotta love the glass of wine in his hand!}

Cute Topper!

Personalized Gator Cake Toppers!



KB Kakes is now offering Personalized Gator Cake Toppers!



Check out the topper she made for Eiryn and Vince! He's a doctor and she's a nurse! {gotta love the glass of wine in his hand!}

Cake Truffle Cake!!!

Eiryn and Vince's wedding was a beautiful Tuscan Wine theme, and their cake was anything but average!

The cake was adorned with the now famous, and delicious Kake Truffles, from KB Kakes, they were like little jewels clustered to imitate her wedding invitation, along with fresh berries, grapes and pears! It was so beatiful, and unique!

There was a small dark chocolate truffle cake on the top for the bride and groom to cut - it was so fun to see the guests expressions about how this cake was incredible!

What do you think?

Cake by: KB Kakes

Cake Truffle Cake!!!

Eiryn and Vince's wedding was a beautiful Tuscan Wine theme, and their cake was anything but average!

The cake was adorned with the now famous, and delicious Kake Truffles, from KB Kakes, they were like little jewels clustered to imitate her wedding invitation, along with fresh berries, grapes and pears! It was so beatiful, and unique!

There was a small dark chocolate truffle cake on the top for the bride and groom to cut - it was so fun to see the guests expressions about how this cake was incredible!

What do you think?

Cake by: KB Kakes

So Pretty!

What a statement this would make! And what if someone got bold, and did it in Black and White? WOW!

Cake Designed By

So Pretty!

What a statement this would make! And what if someone got bold, and did it in Black and White? WOW!

Cake Designed By

Gator Cake Topper!

There are so many fantastically cheesey Gator Cake Toppers out there, so when I saw these - I thought they were too freakin' cute!



Meet Gilbert and Gracie, the cutest Gator Cake Toppers, E.V.E.R!

They can be shipped anywhere in the US! So go you, Go Gators, Go Cure Cancer, Go Get Married!!!

Gator Cake Topper!

There are so many fantastically cheesey Gator Cake Toppers out there, so when I saw these - I thought they were too freakin' cute!



Meet Gilbert and Gracie, the cutest Gator Cake Toppers, E.V.E.R!

They can be shipped anywhere in the US! So go you, Go Gators, Go Cure Cancer, Go Get Married!!!

Three Blind Cakes!

So, I've mentioned before that at MasterPiece Weddings we set up Blind Cake Tastings for our clients! It's so fun to collect these ltitle white boxes and get them all set up for our clients!



We have a tasting sheet that they can judge the cakes, and we explain exactly how to taste your cake(s)... so I thought I'd give you a step by step on how to set this up for your clients, or friends or yourself.



We do this for several reasons. You go into the tasting without any misconceptions of the baker, if you've heard a rumor about their filling or cake, you won't know if it's Publix or 4-Star Baker that baked the cake. You truly pick the cake you like the best.



We make sure that the bakers we choose for your blind tasting can create the Masterpiece that you desire, and that it fits into your budget.



Now it's time for the rules.



First you need a Third Party, some one to gather the cakes and label them by numbers, and keep a legend. (we do this for our clients and they come by and pick up the fun!)

Have a cake tasting sheet, so that you can properly keep score of the cakes.

First taste the filling. On it's own. How do you like it, how's the mouth feel. Does it taste like the flavor it should?

Then taste the icing on it's own. How does it taste, does it leave an aftertaste? Do you like the flavor?

Then taste the cake, on it's own, just the cake. Is it baked to perfection? How's the flavor? Mouthfeel? Do you love the flavor?

Then all of the pieces together, taste them all. Do they work for you, do you love it! Is it the best thing you've ever put into your mouth? Is it heaven?

Then the client calls me and says.... we like {fill in the blank}!

So fun!

What do you think?

Three Blind Cakes!

So, I've mentioned before that at MasterPiece Weddings we set up Blind Cake Tastings for our clients! It's so fun to collect these ltitle white boxes and get them all set up for our clients!



We have a tasting sheet that they can judge the cakes, and we explain exactly how to taste your cake(s)... so I thought I'd give you a step by step on how to set this up for your clients, or friends or yourself.



We do this for several reasons. You go into the tasting without any misconceptions of the baker, if you've heard a rumor about their filling or cake, you won't know if it's Publix or 4-Star Baker that baked the cake. You truly pick the cake you like the best.



We make sure that the bakers we choose for your blind tasting can create the Masterpiece that you desire, and that it fits into your budget.



Now it's time for the rules.



First you need a Third Party, some one to gather the cakes and label them by numbers, and keep a legend. (we do this for our clients and they come by and pick up the fun!)

Have a cake tasting sheet, so that you can properly keep score of the cakes.

First taste the filling. On it's own. How do you like it, how's the mouth feel. Does it taste like the flavor it should?

Then taste the icing on it's own. How does it taste, does it leave an aftertaste? Do you like the flavor?

Then taste the cake, on it's own, just the cake. Is it baked to perfection? How's the flavor? Mouthfeel? Do you love the flavor?

Then all of the pieces together, taste them all. Do they work for you, do you love it! Is it the best thing you've ever put into your mouth? Is it heaven?

Then the client calls me and says.... we like {fill in the blank}!

So fun!

What do you think?

Posh Blog!

One of our favorite cake bakers has started a blog! You met her and saw her super fun work when she was part of Cake Week, and now you can keep an eye on Posh Pastry all on your own!

Check out Posh Pastry's, Posh Blog!

Posh Blog!

One of our favorite cake bakers has started a blog! You met her and saw her super fun work when she was part of Cake Week, and now you can keep an eye on Posh Pastry all on your own!

Check out Posh Pastry's, Posh Blog!