A show-stopping wedding cake alternative.
If you are currently planning your wedding or indeed work in the wedding industry, you may have seen that the Italian Millefoglie has become a social media wedding cake sensation. Whilst I have been making these cakes for years in the UK, it’s only more recently that this Italian wedding cake has grown in popularity and led the way in the super-sized single tier wedding cake trend which has taken the internet by storm!
So, let’s explore what all the fuss is about and find out what exactly is the Millefoglie? And what should you consider if you want to opt for this dessert-style cake for your wedding?
What is a Millefoglie wedding cake?
The Italian Millefoglie is a traditional Italian dessert with a flavour as rich as its history. The name meaning ‘A thousand layers’ refers to the layers of delicate, flaky puff pastry that is contrasted with a delicious Italian pastry cream known as ‘Crema Pasticcera’. The cake is topped with a layer of Chantilly cream and lots of summer fruits, then dusted with icing sugar for that finishing touch. This cake has its roots in the French mille-feuille but adopted its own identity and tradition within the world of Italian Pasticceria. The cake's delicate and light texture make it the perfect dessert for summer weddings, offering a sensational mix of elegance and simplicity.
What flavour is a Millefoglie wedding cake?
As the Millefoglie has evolved over time, new flavour combinations and shapes have come to the fore, be it Pistachio, Tiramisu inspired or Limoncello, tiered, heart-shaped round or square, this creamy dessert takes many forms.
Watch me in action building the Millefoglie wedding cake at a real wedding!
How is a Millefoglie Wedding cake set up?
The Millefoglie isn’t just unique in its taste and appearance, what makes this wedding cake extra special is how it is created. This Italian wedding cake is built at the venue by the pastry chef, often in view of the guests. There is something so special about watching it come to life before your eyes, adding a touch of theatre to your day.
More recently, couples have placed emphasis on this theatrical moment by adding an element of interaction, placing the final touches of fruit and icing sugar to their own wedding cake for that special and fun photo moment.
If your mouth is watering at the sound of this and you want to ditch the idea of a tiered wedding cake for this fun and interactive Italian dessert alternative, there are things to consider.
Practical advice for choosing an Italian Millefoglie wedding cake:
As this wedding cake is a dessert rather than traditional sponge cake, there are practical things to consider when choosing it.
Let’s talk weather!
The Millefoglie makes for a refreshing summer wedding dessert but as one that’s made up of fresh creams, its position in your venue, and the length of time left on display requires consideration. Unlike an Iced tiered cake, the Millefoglie can’t be left on display all day for your guests to admire. Avoiding direct sunlight particularly in outdoor weddings like marquees and tipis is essential.
Timing is everything!
Ensuring the Millefoglie wedding cake is sliced and served within two hours of its creation is another must. Planning to build and serve your Millefoglie in the evening therefore is a good idea, when the sun is not at its hottest. Alternatively, having it made as you and your guests are enjoying your wedding breakfast and then serving your Millefoglie as your wedding breakfast dessert not only tick’s the practical boxes but could also save you money as your wedding cake and dessert will double up as one and the same.
The importance of expertise!
Due to it’s size and scale, and it’s delicate, fresh nature, traditionally in Italy this dessert is built by the pastry chef at the venue. In UK venues this service is not commonly found and therefore it’s important to seek out a skilled pastry chef to create your Millefoglie. Don’t be fooled by its simple appearance, just because they are not adorned with intricate sugar flowers, does not mean that there isn’t a huge amount of skill that goes into making one. The perfect Millefoglie wedding cake has the flakiest, caramelised all-butter puff pastry with many layers of lamination, baked perfectly flat and expertly carved. The crema pasticcera must be the perfect consistency to hold its shape and building it neatly like a jigsaw puzzle under the pressure of gazing eyes is not for the faint hearted. Not all wedding cake designers will have the right expertise to create one so search for Italian or French pastry chefs in the UK, if the Millefoglie is the cake for you.
Has this article got you dreaming about a Millefoglie Weding cake? Then please get in touch as I would love to help make your dream a reality.
Alla prossima!
