| Dessert
omething for him S
PAU L R E T H ER FO R D WEDDING PH OTO G R A PH Y
Old World, New World cake comeback
M A RY JA N E D O E R R UP NORTH BRIDE
G
room’s cakes are common in the American South and anyone from there likely is familiar with the tradition. But now these personality-oriented cakes are appearing at Michigan weddings, especially among young couples who wish to honor the grooms and their wedding guests. Groom’s cakes are an Old World custom with origins in England. While bakers often make the traditional, tiered wedding cake with white flour and white sugar — indicating wealth in Victorian times — fruit cake or chocolate
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flat cake tends to be the groom’s cake served. The long-running custom involves cutting it into small pieces to be sent home with guests, even urging single ladies to sleep with the cake under their pillows and dream about their future husband.
Modern groom’s cake
Today, these special cakes are growing in popularity, particularly with young couples with plenty of imagination, humor and a taste for bright colors. Groom’s cakes are made in various designs and shapes, often imaginatively decorated to the bride and groom’s specifications.
“These cakes are definitely something young couples like. The bride often picks out the groom’s favorite sports team. I have made a Boston Red Socks stadium, an MSU ‘S,’ and cakes with the emblems of U of M, the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings,” said Maria Sargent, who owns Sweet Maria’s Confections in downtown Petoskey. She said it’s been fast-paced and steady since she opened her new store on Mitchell Street. She provided sweet treats for 25 summer weddings by Labor Day, including a handful that ordered groom’s cakes. Groom’s cakes are less expensive than wedding
9/14/12 1:44 PM