Can we talk desserts?

[bullygirl979]

More specifically, wedding reception desserts

We are doing a cocktail hour, so there won't be a sit down dinner. We are doing a crostini bar, and 7 hand passed hors d'oeuvres ranging from lamb lollipops to a salad to grilled corn cakes to mini chicken and waffles. I kind of want to stick with the "theme" and do several desserts. P has put me in charge of the dessert menu, but his only request was that we do some sort of cake and not cupcakes.

They have some amazeballs looking desserts including galettes, tarts, and various "things in jars" including pots de creme, panna cotta, pecan crumble, etc. These are all sold by the dozen. And we can do 6", 8" or 10" layer cakes. I'm thinking we order a smaller layer cake that won't serve EVERYONE and then supplement with some of the other desserts. Thoughts? How many desserts would you order, assuming there will be 25 people?

[doriswe]

I have no idea but it all sounds amazeballs!!!!

[tiramisu]

That's tough. I think I'd want everyone to have the option of cake, in case they want it. But an additional couple of options would be good because that way the cake slices can be small. All of the options sound good.

[chalupa]

Ditto - I'd order enough cake that everyone could have a slice (that'll be just 2 cake rounds) and then an assortment of other things, but I assume my guests would be gluttons like me and easily consume cake + another dessert or two.

And I'd prefer galettes and tarts over jars of dessert (easier to pick up and eat without grabbing a spoon, but again, glutton here), but that's just me.

[chalupa]

And now I am dying for dessert, so thanks for that bullygirl979

[doriswe]

Apr 26, 2018 9:05:43 GMT -5 chalupa said:

easily consume cake + another dessert or two.

Same

[bullygirl979]

chalupa, hahaha. Now you know how I feel when I look at the dessert menu they have. I just drool!

[bullygirl979]

Good to know that people may eat more than one dessert. We are doing 8 appetizers so we create a variety of meat/non meat, dairy/non dairy, etc. I forget that people may partake in multiple things!

[chalupa]

Apr 26, 2018 9:53:30 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Good to know that people may eat more than one dessert. We are doing 8 appetizers so we create a variety of meat/non meat, dairy/non dairy, etc. I forget that people may partake in multiple things!

I mean, I consumed 2 slices of cake (we had 2 flavors, so I wanted to eat them both) plus multiple mugs of cocoa at my own wedding, even. I think it's safe to assume people will really enjoy getting to try a variety of things  SaveSave

[bullygirl979]

Apr 26, 2018 9:55:22 GMT -5 chalupa said:

Apr 26, 2018 9:53:30 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

Good to know that people may eat more than one dessert. We are doing 8 appetizers so we create a variety of meat/non meat, dairy/non dairy, etc. I forget that people may partake in multiple things!

I mean, I consumed 2 slices of cake (we had 2 flavors, so I wanted to eat them both) plus multiple mugs of cocoa at my own wedding, even. I think it's safe to assume people will really enjoy getting to try a variety of things  SaveSave

Hahaha. This is where I am at! P's family will only eat "normal" flavors (like vanilla cake with chocolate frosting) so I'm bent on getting two layers or two cakes so we can have one "normal" cake and then one fancy cake combo.

Is it bad that I'm also somewhat chuckling that his mother will be horrified we aren't using her favorite bakery? We hosted one of his nephew's bday parties once and his soon to be step-mom really wanted to bake him a cake. We had to tell his mother three times that R. was bringing the cake so she was NOT to bring one. Her reaction? "But it's just not a birthday without a (insert bakery name) cake!!"

[chalupa]

I had fresh pear cake with chai frosting and carrot-pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting. Chocolate and vanilla bore both of us to tears

[udscoobychick]

You can do chocolate or vanilla with an interesting filling/frosting, and just don't tell them that it's anything other than that until after they've eaten and loved it!

Anyway, a 6" layer cake serves ~12 people (especially if it's 3 layers, but you could squeeze 12 servings out of a 2-layer, too). Personally, if you want two cake flavors, I'd do 2 6" cakes and then 3 dozen other things (3 different items, a dozen each, probably), assuming people will have 2-3 things each (including cake). But I'm not huge on cake. If you REALLY want to make sure everyone can have cake, then I'd do either 2 8" cakes or 1 6" and 1 8", plus 2 dozen other assorted desserts. Your caterer can probably give you recommendations, too. We had an assortment of desserts at our wedding, and they were a huge hit!

[udscoobychick]

Oh, and since people will already need a plate and spoon or fork for the wedding cake, I wouldn't worry too much about making sure everything is hand-held.

[cuddlyevil]

Cake + pot de creme + tart

I would definitely have a little from column a and a little from column b if I were there.

[bullygirl979]

udscoobychick, their menu says a 6" cake feeds 6-8 but I don't know how many layers it is. I did end up emailing the pastry chef to ask for a little guidance. We are setting up our tasting and I'd like to have a direction before we start picking things to try, willy nilly style.

[neonpink]

I agree, I would eat more than one dessert. They all sound delicious. I would try and do the Cake, a fruit tart and one of the pots. Something fruity, chocolate thing and a nut one would be my choice. So there is an option for everyone to like.

Now I want my wedding cake, it was chocolate with chocolate chips, chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries in the center covered in white buttercream. It was so good. I remember driving to the airport for our honeymoon eating slices.

[udscoobychick]

bullygirl979, sounds like they're thinking bigger slices for the cake, then, so you may not need as much other stuff. I usually go by Wilton's guide:
www.wilton.com/cake-serving-guide/cms-baking-serving-guide.html

[bullygirl979]

udscoobychick, she said the servings were pretty substantial. She said if we are supplementing with other desserts, we could get away with 2-3 6" rounds. Or 1 6" round and 1 8" round.