Philadelphia Bakers Guide, Philadelphia Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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Philadelphia Bakers Guide

Get the Right Wedding Cake for You

Think it doesn’t get any better than Philadelphia Cheese Steak? Try Philadelphia Cheese Cake! Liberty City’s as rich with desserts as it is patriotism, and the creamy stuff’s made a big comeback. But your cake options don’t end there, says L.A. Chef David Brian Sanders. “Ben Franklin came to Philly with three loaves of bread under his arm, and that in and of itself is the epitome of patriotic baking.”

Start your Philadelphia cake baker search about 6 months’ prior to your wedding date. Most caterers offer cake as part of the package, and couples go this route for simplicity and efficiency, and to keep costs down. If you’re looking for something more complicated or stylized, hire a baker.

When searching, ask friends and relatives, vendors, and anyone who’s served you a fabulous dessert. If your favorite restaurant has a Devil’s Food cake to die for, find out who their baker is. Your cake can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 (for 100 guests), depending on the baker, your type of cake, and how many you need (some couples opt for more than one cake). Before talking to bakers, write down flavors you love, and bring in photos of cakes that have caught your eye.

A reliable baker will guide you through the cake process, even if you have a good idea of the confection you’d like. Generally, he’ll show you three kinds; something trendy, something traditional, and something he’s famous for. Even if you have your heart set on Red Velvet Cake, it won’t hurt to get a taste of his ideas.

Cupcakes are all the rage now, tiered and served as the main cake, or as a second “cake,” in the same or different flavor. They also make great favors. Carrot cake (with or without nuts) is popular too. Make sure you discuss any food allergies you have before narrowing down your choices.

Groom cakes are back in vogue, usually served alongside the main cake, and no longer gender- or flavor-specific. Gone are the days when “his” cake was only shaped like a football or racing car; nowadays, he gets the same sweet options as you do.

When you’re ready to get serious about fluff, check the OurWeddingDay.com Philadelphia Local Vendor Section for a list of first-tier wedding cake bakers in Pennsylvania.

If your budget is a big concern, order one cake. Another option is to make tiers small and have a sheet cake in the back, which the caterers slice and serve. Cakes can also take the place of the dessert course.

The cake baker you hire will deliver the cake to your site the day of the wedding, and make sure proper storage will keep your cake fresh until serving time.

Once you’ve found that perfect cake baker, taste the freedom!