Italian Wedding Cakes (2024)

Sara Mazzei

| Mon, 04/23/2012 - 07:19
Italian Wedding Cakes (1)

Now that Spring is well on its way it is time to think about to all those couples who have decided to tie the knot in one of the many romantic locations Italy has to offer. Without question, one of the highlights of the wedding reception is the cutting of the wedding cake. It is one of the most dreamed about moments and also one of the most photographed and memorable occasions of the day.

But which cake should you choose when you decide to get married in Italy?

Italy is famous for its simple but tasty cakes, for example the “mille foglie” (millefeuille), “the mimosa”, “the diplomatica” or the many versions of “torte di frutta” (fruit based cakes), which, in the summer, help to create a fresh and colourful picture. We also know that one of the true beauties of Italy is its diverse culinary traditions, which change from region to region and desserts and cakes are no different.
Italian Wedding Cakes (2)
Torta Mimosa

If you are a couple who love to experiment with flavours, choosing a traditional cake from the region where you are getting married is certainly a great and original idea. So, if you are ready for this tasty adventure, here is a mini, mouth-watering guide to some very special cakes that you can choose and taste.

Have you decided to get married in Venice, among the fascinating streets, canals and gondolas? Your cake could be the “Fregolotta” – a simple and tasty cake made of fresh cream and almonds. Or what about a cake looking version of the amazing “Tiramisù”?

If you are getting married in the Piedmont region then a cake made with local hazelnuts from Le Langhe, Torta alle Nocciole is your best choice while if you are in Emilia Romagna do not miss the chance to offer your guests a taste of the “historical” Torta Barozzi, created toward the end of the XIX century in Vignola, a perfect balanced mixture of peanuts, almonds, chocolate and coffee.

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Torta Barozzi

If, however, you have not been able to resist the charm of the Amalfi coast…you will really be spoilt for choice and can end the day in style with some exceptional cakes. One of the most well-known cakes in the world, which originated from the island of Capri, is the “Caprese” – a flour-less cake made of bitter chocolate and almonds.

With all of its colours and fragrances, the Amalfi coast also offers the “Delizia al Limone” , which alone is worth the trip! Its lemon flavour and freshness on the palate are simply unforgettable. And for those of you who love to go all out, we must not forget the “Pastiera Napoletana” – a cake made to celebrate great occasions and famous for its rich ingredients: ricotta, wheat, oranges, citrus, candied fruits and a precious pinch of cinnamon to forever remember such a magical moment.

For those of you who have chosen Sicily as the setting for your wedding, you will be enticed by the wondrous flavours of fruits, almonds and pistachios! So why not end the reception with a deliciously creamy ice-cream, for example Sicily’s famous “Zuccotto” – an ice-cream cake made with a sponge filled with ice-cream.

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Cassata Siciliana

An even more traditional idea could be one of the most famous Sicilian cakes – the “Cassata” – a moist sponge layered cake filled with creamy ricotta and candied fruits and covered with icing and almond marzipan that can be coloured and decorated in every way imaginable!

You can also let your imagination run wild, so why not create a cake made from Sicilian “Cannoli”, perhaps in bite-size versions. In this way each of your guests can have the opportunity to enjoy these fantastic ricotta-filled sweets.

If you are overwhelmed by the idea of choosing just one of these fantastic delicacies, then you can do it Italian style and include a “Buffet dei dolci” (wedding sweets buffet table) to the menu besides the wedding cake so that you can try them all!

Italian Wedding Cakes (5)

Sara Mazzei
Infinity Weddings and Events® - Weddings in Italy
www.infinity-weddingsandevents.com

Topic:Culture Weddings Suggestions Wedding Gifts

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Italian Wedding Cakes (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional cake at an Italian wedding? ›

Once dinner finishes it's time to move to the party but before you can hit the dance floor you need to cut the cake. In Italy, the Italian wedding cake is traditionally a millefoglie or thousand layer cake.

What is a Sicilian wedding cake? ›

The most famous cakes here are fresh Zuccotto, made with a sponge filled with ice-cream and famous Cassata! The Cassata Siciliana is a sponge layered cake filled with creamy sugared ricotta cheese and candied fruits, it is covered with icing and almond marzipan that can be colored and decorated in every way.

What Flavours are wedding cakes in Italy? ›

Filling: Creamy layers between sponge cake can feature flavours like lemon, chocolate, or strawberries. If you want to make it a little more Italian style, why not consider pistacchio, hazelnut, coffee or event nutella!

How much are wedding cakes in Italy? ›

WEDDING CAKE. The traditional Italian wedding cakes are millefoglie, fruit tart or sponge cake. Many couples usually go for millefoglie, a delicious cake made with puff pastry, cream and/or chocolate. The price for the Italian traditional wedding cake is about €5,00 per person.

What is the name of the Italian wedding cake? ›

Bridal Guide Magazine | A traditional Italian wedding cake is called “millefoglie,” which translates to “a thousand layers.” 🎂 It's typically assembled right in...

What is the most traditional wedding cake? ›

Memorable: Vanilla cake is a timeless and memorable choice for a wedding cake. It is a classic flavor that will never go out of style, and your guests are sure to remember the delicious cake from your special day.

What is the wedding cake in Rome Italy? ›

'Altare della Patria' or Wedding Cake in Rome

The monument commemorates the unification of Italy in 1861 and the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. Although this monument was built in his honour, he is not buried there. Instead, he is buried in the Pantheon.

What is the name of the classic cake that originated in Italy? ›

Cassata cake originated in Sicily, Italy. It is an incredibly luxurious cake made up of layers of sponge cake laced with orange liqueur, and layered with a filling made of sweetened ricotta, candied fruits, and chocolate pieces.

What does an Italian wedding cake look like? ›

The typical Italian wedding cake is a Millefeuille. This is made of layers of crunchy puff pastry, alternated with Chantilly cream (a mix of cream and whipped cream) and either wild berries or chocolate drops.

What are Italian wedding cake beads? ›

It was to this Island in the 13th Century that the early glassmakers were exiled to protect the city of Venice from the furnaces and open flames in their workshops. Wedding Cake Beads are correctly known as 'Fiorato Beads' are a very specific subset of Murano glass beads.

Does Italian wedding cake need to be refrigerated? ›

Keep the Italian cake refrigerated until ready to serve. Due to the cream cheese frosting, the cake needs to be refrigerated. Keep any leftovers, loosely covered with plastic wrap, in the fridge for up to 1 week.

How much do Italians give as a wedding gift? ›

In traditional Italian weddings, brides carry la borsa — or a satin bag — during the reception, and guests place envelopes of cash in it, usually between $100 and $400, if they want a dance with the bride or to help the newlyweds with future arrangements such as a house or vacation.

Who pays for a traditional Italian wedding? ›

The best man or witness may culturally pay for the wedding rings. The groom is known to buy the bride's bouquet. The groom's family pays for almost every wedding expense except for the bride's garment, wedding invitations and flower decorations which are settled by the bride's family.

Who traditionally pays for the wedding cake? ›

Traditionally, the bride's family will pay for the wedding cake. Of course, as with most other wedding costs, there's nothing to say that the groom's family or the couple themselves can't pick up the tab for the wedding cake.

What is the name of the cake traditionally eaten in Italy? ›

Panettone: history and characteristics of this italian cake. People everywhere eat panettone while celebrating their Christmas holidays, perhaps without knowing that the word Panettone comes from the Milanese dialect 'Pan del ton', which means 'luxurybread'. Yes, the Panettone is a local speciality.

What was the traditional wedding cake? ›

Wedding cake was originally a luxury item, and a sign of celebration and social status (the bigger the cake, the higher the social standing). Wedding cakes in England and early America were traditionally fruit cakes, often tiered and topped with marzipan and icing.

What is served at a traditional Italian wedding? ›

Expect a mix of typical savoury appetizers, like the big Parmigiano cheese as centerpiece served with walnuts and grapes, Salumi platters and boards with “Prosciutto di Parma”, savoury finger food, mini quiche, savoury tartlets, rustic mozzarelle, vegetable sticks “in pinzimonio” and many bakery treats.

What does Mangia cake mean in Italian? ›

· 2y. “Mangiacake” is not a word in standard Italian from mainland Italy… Because it's Italian-Canadian slang. It means “cake eater”, from the verb “mangiare” coniugated in its third person singular Presente Indicativo form (“egli/ella mangia”) and the English word “cake” (“torta”, in Italian) combined.

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