The Traditions and Trends of Groom-cakes in USA

Introduction: As its name suggests a Groom cake is cake for the groom. Although less important than bride cake, a groom cake is a fashionable addition to all wedding parties. Originally, it is tradition of southern wedding. This cake was traditionally called the wedding cake but nowadays bride cake is called wedding cake.

Who does place the order? : This cake is a kind of gift from bride to the groom. Generally, the bride places an order of the groom's cake in the same bakery where wedding cake's order is placed. Perhaps the baker is supposed to associate the designs of both cakes to make them look complementing each other when displayed together. Its design is kept secret and disclosed at the time cake is served. But some guys don't wish to keep the design secret from them so they changed the tradition of who places the order. They like to select design by themselves. Whoever is placing the order, one thing is certain that it reflects the taste of the groom. If the groom plays golf or base-ball the cake is designed with that theme. Some guys like cars and their groom cakes are based on those designs. The varieties of designs available are unlimited. But, design of a groom cake somehow reflects the personality of the groom.

Designs and flavors of groom cakes: Originally, the groom cakes were chocolate fruit cakes. But the grooms have broken this rule too. The flavor of groom cakes are varying according to the favorite tastes of grooms. Keeping the tradition of groom cakes being fruit cakes, they are usually darker than the wedding cake regarding both filling and icing. Most groom cakes are chocolate or red velvet. Taste of the filling is influenced by the taste of the groom. Some most common choices of groom cakes beyond fruit cakes are carrot cakes, cup cakes etc. Normally a groom cake is a single layered cake but nothing is very traditional about this. As far as design is concerned very personalized version is printing a real picture of bride and groom on a frosting sheet and put is on the top of the groom cake. For this special printer and special cartridges are needed. Topping of fresh edible flowers is still in fashion. In recent years fondants icings are more popular than butter cream icing. Reason behind it is that butter cream icing is sensitive to temperature and doesn't suit outdoor wedding parties. Besides it is less suitable for transportations.

Ways of serving the cake:

(1)Traditional way: When it comes the turn of serving, its traditional way is very fascinating. Earlier it was not to be served to the guest while at the wedding reception, rather, it was given as return gifts to unmarried ladies returning from the wedding party. The slivers of the groom cake were packed in attractive personalized boxes and then they were given to the returning unmarried female guests. An interesting story is associated with that way of serving a groom cake. Those guests used to keep those boxes under their pillows while sleeping in night. It was assumed that they would get dreams of their future husbands. This might be another and stronger reason why this cake is called a groom cake.

(2)Nowadays: Groom cakes are served to the guest while party nowadays. It is not given as return gifts. There are two trends to serve it. The first option is to serve it at rehearsal dinner and the second option is to serve it in wedding reception as a secondary dessert.

1. At the rehearsal dinner: If it is served in a rehearsal dinner then it makes the sense of the name "rehearsal dinner". While in the wedding reception wedding cake is served the smaller version of wedding cake called "groom's cake" is served in the rehearsal dinner making it a real rehearsal of wedding reception.

2. In the wedding reception: The second and more popular way of serving a groom cake is serving it as a secondary dessert in main reception. It becomes a good addition to the number of desserts and if no fruits are served in the party then it fulfils the requirement.

Cost of a groom cake: The average cost of groom cakes are about $1.25 to $1.50 per serving but exotic designs can raise the cost up. Bakery charges the price 33% more than the cost of an ordinary cake as it is a wedding cake. Many online options are available.