We decided not to go down the road of a traditional English/American style wedding cake. We figured whilst in France do as the French do, so we went with a Croquembouche.
The name comes from the French words 'Croque en bouche' meaning 'crunch in the mouth', because of the sensation one has while eating one of the puffs. The croquembouche has been used as a celebration cake for weddings by the French nobility since the early 18th century. Each wedding guest would bring a “sweet bread” or two with them to help create a tower of cream puffs. The couple of honour would attempt to kiss over the tower. As tradition has it, the hope was that this ceremony would grant them a prosperous life together.
The cake is made from choux buns filled with vanilla crème (profitteroles) held together with caramel in an impressive pyramid, and often decorated with threads of caramel, sugared almonds, chocolate, flowers, or ribbons.
Our cake was arranged through the venue with La Boutique at Oasis Raimbault. Contact there is Valérie Raimbault boutique@oasis-raimbault.comRue Jean Honoré Carle - 06210 La Napoule - FranceTel direct 33 (0)4 92 97 31 82Tel 33 (0)4 93 49 95 52 - Fax 33 (0)4 93 49 64 13http://www.oasis-raimbault.com
For those keen cooks, or brides on a budget here is a recipe which serves 20 people http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1801/croquembouche
The name comes from the French words 'Croque en bouche' meaning 'crunch in the mouth', because of the sensation one has while eating one of the puffs. The croquembouche has been used as a celebration cake for weddings by the French nobility since the early 18th century. Each wedding guest would bring a “sweet bread” or two with them to help create a tower of cream puffs. The couple of honour would attempt to kiss over the tower. As tradition has it, the hope was that this ceremony would grant them a prosperous life together.
The cake is made from choux buns filled with vanilla crème (profitteroles) held together with caramel in an impressive pyramid, and often decorated with threads of caramel, sugared almonds, chocolate, flowers, or ribbons.
Our cake was arranged through the venue with La Boutique at Oasis Raimbault. Contact there is Valérie Raimbault boutique@oasis-raimbault.comRue Jean Honoré Carle - 06210 La Napoule - FranceTel direct 33 (0)4 92 97 31 82Tel 33 (0)4 93 49 95 52 - Fax 33 (0)4 93 49 64 13http://www.oasis-raimbault.com
For those keen cooks, or brides on a budget here is a recipe which serves 20 people http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1801/croquembouche
Absolutely beautiful! I am planning a wedding in France at the moment and have zero idea where to start... yours looked utterly gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteWas never a huge fan of wedding cake. It usually tastes the same but love diamond Engagement Rings spotting. Think the budget for a wedding should go into buying the wedding rings and engagement rings as the wedding day itself is over so fast but the rings will be worn forever. just a view but chocolate biscuit all the way if one does decide to spend on a wedding cake.
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