Wedding Cake

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Assorted decorations, such as fondant flowers and edible pearls

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Beat in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
5. Divide batter evenly among the three pans and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing from pans and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. To assemble cake, place one layer on a cake plate. Spread a thin layer of frosting over the top. Place second layer on top and repeat with frosting. Place final layer on top and spread remaining frosting over the entire cake.
8. In a medium bowl, beat together cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Pipe onto cake as desired.
9. Decorate with fondant flowers and edible pearls.

Interesting Facts

• The traditional wedding cake is a symbol of fertility, signifying the sweetness of the married life.
• The earliest known recipe for wedding cake dates back to the mid-1800s.
• The top tier of the wedding cake is traditionally saved for the couple’s first anniversary.