Friday, May 27, 2011

WEDDING GIFT CAKES ~ 'HANTARAN' CAKES



These are what kept me busy the past 2 weeks. For a close friend. I'm glad it they turned out all right and that A was very happy with them. She wanted them pink with touches of brown.

I made the simplest of roses. One of the type of roses that I had learnt to make at the sugar craft class ...a few months ago. I am so glad I attended the class. But after a hiatus since the class it took time to get my mojo back and after a few trials I managed to make sense of the process required to make those "simple" roses. They were simple really but like everything else it takes consistent practice not to lose it. 



I wish I had been calm enough to take some photographs to show you how they were made but as usual I just wanted to get on with them and at the time nothing was more important than getting the roses completed satisfactorily. I will show the steps in a future post though. So keep a look out.


The cakes were simple and the ribbon was chosen by A to match the decor for the rest of the wedding gifts. 

The recipe for the fondant is here. I had made a white velvet butter cake by Rose Levy Beranbaum.....my favourite cake master. She, who bakes like a chemist. 




I had coloured the sugar paste for the roses a pale pink and then dusted the edges with coral pink lustre powder. It came to life. Both the leaves and the roses were steamed to seal the lustre colours in. I love steaming them because it gives a sheen and a satiny finish.

The fondant for the cake was a slightly deeper but still light pink and then I piped the brocade design (again).

Decorating cakes is very much like painting for me. I have no clear idea of what I will be doing until I do it. The cake evolves rather than planned. I was pleased. And relieved. My friend A loved it. I hope you like them too :) This is an eye candy post.



A had decided to make six small cakes instead of one large one so that each set of family members could get one complete cake to take home after the ceremony. Instead of cut pieces of cake. How clever :)

Hantaran cakes in a Malay wedding are part of 5 or more trays of gifts exchanged between the bride's and bridegroom's families. Other gifts may include trays of fruits, chocolates, shoes, handbags, Malay dress. Or anything really. It seems that anything goes nowadays. 

The trays are elaborately arranged and decorated with flowers with months of planning and carried to the brides home in a procession, placed and arranged formally on a carpeted floor and the wedding vows are taken while the families watch and witness the occasion.

For more on weddings click here and here. The weddings of my nephews and their lovely brides few years ago. 


27 comments:

Mihaela said...

wow, these cakes look amazing! the roses are so real, and the ribbon compliments the little cakes, it's a pleasure for the eye!

Sarah said...

stunning cakes !!!!

leaf (the indolent cook) said...

Wow, they look absolutely beautiful!

Anonymous said...

They're perfect! Gorgeous, that's a lot of work!! I also love your pictures, it's all a success!

Shirley @ Kokken69 said...

Zurin! These are absolutely Gorgeous! Look at those roses- outstanding! And the cakes had your signature 'henna' squiggles!
You must have felt so very proud!

La Table De Nana said...

they are treasures..beautiful photos also..

mary-anne said...

They are so pretty! Almost too beautiful to eat. You must open a shop!

a quiet life said...

i have stopped looking at food blogs since i am trying to shrink this year and seeing food is just tooooo tempting... but you, you are nothing but pure art, an ethereal experience not to be missed...

Passionate About Baking said...

Wow Zurin! These look gorgeous! It's looks like those wedding cakes from Wedding Cake Books! Good that you can put to use what you have learnt. I'm also a big fan of Rose, same as you! I'm sure the cakes were as stunning as the bride. She's so pretty too!

PickYin said...

I know this sounds ridiculous but I'd love to see the inside of one of those cakes. Would you be able to share the recipe of the white velvet butter cake?

MeRy said...

The cakes...look great.

Meriem said...

These are beautiful mashAllah! Would you take orders for these? They are so much more unique than one big wedding cake!

Jenn said...

Beautiful cakes. Your roses look perfect!!

Anonymous said...

If I can rewind and plan my wedding all over again, I would hunt the world down for you to make my hantaran cakes, Aunty Zurin.

P.S each time I see you in person, I nak tanya.. rahsia apa awet muda?
(tapi so segan nak tanya hehe)

Anonymous said...

Gosh, these are so pretty! If only you were based in Singapore, I would've ordered these for my wedding!

Not Quite Nigella said...

Zurin! You did an amazing job! :o Look at the beautiful detail on the roses too and the realistic gradation of colour. Just stunning :D

pigpigscorner said...

The cakes are amazing Zurin! The roses look so pretty and delicate!

Jo said...

Zurin, the hantaran cakes are gorgeous and absolutely sweet colours too!

Zurin said...

Thank you dear friends.. dont we all love cakes! and roses..and weddings...sigh..

perciclan, ;)

Gloria Baker said...

absolutely beauty! gloria

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous cake! beautiful roses! It's such an art making these little babies!

shaz said...

Absolutely beautiful roses! You have a real knack, they are gorgeous.

Jean Soo said...

what a lovely cakes! :)

Anonymous said...

These are mouth watering cake :P Yummy !!!


Nixon
Wedding Favors

Anonymous said...

Amazing cake !!!! these cake look very delicious These are beautiful Mash Allah!these cakes are looking so beautiful with color full ribbons . I will try to make it....
send gifts to pakistan

Anonymous said...

Wow, the cakes are so delicious..... moslt those cakes are well decorated with stunning ribbons.... i like it.....
send gifts to pakistan
send gifts to pakistan

Unknown said...

The collection of the cake was superb and idea was fantastic for gifts, Interesting work.

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