Elderflower Pear Wedding Cake: A Romantic Culinary Masterpiece
Elderflower Pear Wedding Cake: A Romantic Culinary Masterpiece
Contents
Key Info:
Prep Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Cook Time: 1.5-2 hours
Total Time: 4-6 hours
Servings: 12-20
Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced
Dietary: Vegetarian
Equipment Needed:
- Stand mixer
- Cake pans
- Cake turntable
- Cooling racks
- Palette knife
Ingredients:
Cake Layers:
- 300g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 300g caster sugar
- 6 eggs
- 2 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 2 ripe pears, diced
Buttercream:
- 250g unsalted butter
- 500g icing sugar
- 2-3 tbsp elderflower cordial
Crucial Preparation Tips:
Mise en Place Magic
- Weigh ingredients precisely
- Prepare pans with parchment
- Pre-slice pears for drying
Method:
- Prepare Dried Pear Decorations
- Slice pears thinly
- Dust with sugar
- Bake at 180°C for 12 minutes per side
- Cool completely until crisp
- Make Cake Sponge
- Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy
- Fold in flour gently
- Add elderflower cordial
- Fold in diced pears last
- Bake at 140°C for 80 minutes
- Create Buttercream
- Cream butter and icing sugar
- Add elderflower cordial
- Whip until light and fluffy
- Assemble Cake
- Cool cake layers completely
- Split layers if desired
- Fill with buttercream
- Crumb coat
- Chill for 30 minutes
- Final smooth buttercream coat
- Decorate
- Arrange dried pear slices
- Add edible gold glitter
- Garnish with fresh herbs
Pro Tips:
- Test cake doneness with skewer
- Don’t rush cooling stages
- Keep buttercream at perfect consistency
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Overmixing batter
- Adding too much fruit (causes sogginess)
- Icing warm cake
Storage:
- Refrigerate
- Best consumed within 2-3 days
- Serve at cool room temperature
Variations:
- Gluten-free flour option
- Swap pears for seasonal fruits
- Add lemon curd between layers
- Prosecco buttercream for adult twist
Wedding Day Hack:
Prepare components day before for stress-free assembly!
This elderflower pear wedding cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s a showstopping centerpiece that captures romance, seasonal elegance, and culinary craftsmanship in every delicate slice.