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How to Design and Order Your Quinceañera Cake
Choosing the perfect dessert is a piece of cake!
By Arielle Garcia
Your quinceañera cake will be the biggest birthday cake you ever have, so choose it wisely! Follow these 5 easy steps to find a torta that looks and tastes amazing.
1. Do Some Research.
Look for local bakeries that specialize in making cakes for formal events like quinceañeras and weddings. Check out talkingphonebook.com to find a bakery near you, or ask friends and family who have already planned quinces for recommendations.
2. Set a Budget.
Formal cakes range widely in price. You can find a three-tier cake that feeds 100 guests for a reasonable $150 or for a whopping $600! This is why it’s important to decide the most you want to spend on cake before you go to the bakery. You can easily go overboard with fancy options! For example, rather than upgrade to the more expensive rolled fondant frosting, stick to butter cream or marshmallow frosting.
3. Schedule an Appointment with the Baker.
Give your baker at least two to six months to prepare your cake. The more intricate the design, the more time your baker needs, so it is better to place your cake order sooner rather than later.
4. Brainstorm a cake design that expresses your theme.
If you’re playing Cinderella for the night, why not crown your cake with a tiara, or make it look like a castle? If your family hails from the Dominican Republic, why not choose a fruity cake filling, like pineapple, and decorate with edible flowers that look tropical?
Be creative. Visit MisQuinceMag.com’s cake photo gallery to get some ideas. Print out some sample photos or draw sketches of your dream cake for your baker.
5. Taste test!
Once you know the look of your cake, it’s time to think about the flavors and fillings inside. If you’re overwhelmed by the options, start with yellow cake. Bakers say it’s a popular request for quinces and weddings, because it’s versatile and complements all kinds of fillings, like chocolate, custard, and raspberry cream.
When choosing your fillings and flavors, keep in mind how long your cake will be displayed. If your cake is sitting on a table for a long time, make sure it’s extra moist. Good bakers soak cake with syrup or brandy to add moisture. If the cake can’t be eaten a few hours after it’s been assembled, avoid berry filling, which will make the cake soggy over time.
The best news is that your baker will treat you to a free taste testing session so you can pick your favorites — enjoy!
Special thanks to Mis Quince’s cake experts — Elena Holloway, owner of Laredo Texas’ Holloway’s Bakery, and Margarita Navarro, owner of Porto’s Bakery in Los Angeles — for their tips.
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