In a recent survey of U.S. retail bakers, it was found that cakes stand out as the bakery product most driving annual sales. This makes sense, as cake can be ordered for a variety of events, the biggest of which is weddings.
According to The Knot, the average amount spent on a wedding cake is $582, up from $575 in 2015. Therefore, it is important to recognize the trends that will dominate this wedding season and beyond.
Right now, that means a natural look to wedding cake design.
Mark Seaman, culinary applications chef (specialties) for Barry Callebaut, is an expert on recognizing trends and helping brides achieve their dream wedding cakes, having taught four years as a chef instructor and master cake artist at the prestigious French Pastry School after running his own cake shop for nine years in Chicago at Marked for Dessert.
He says that wilderness options and anything related to a greenery palette are big in 2017.
In another nature-inspired trend, gemstone (or geode) wedding cakes “are huge right now,” Seaman says, “and I think a lot of cakes will be created based on the bride’s birthstone.”
A gemstone cake is made by removing parts of the center and adding a gemstone made of rock candy or other edible materials. Popular gemstone cake ideas incorporate amethyst, rose quartz, agate, and turquoise and gold.
Seaman also says that metallic cakes are going to continue to be very popular. “Brides like shiny objects,” he says. “There’s going to be a lot of bling.”
