What about this instead of a cake?

[AmberWaves]

I was thinking about this cream puff tower instead of a cake for our Sunday Brunch reception. What do you think?

 

[AmberWaves]

Here is a different kind... on the first the colored thread is caramel spun sugar.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Ha ha, looks like it needs a haircut. Just kidding. I think it's a fun, new idea and it would be easier to portion. I'm not a big cream-puff pastry fan though.

ETA: The second one looks awfully sticky and messy.

 

[ChooChoo]

I think these are neat to have in one of you is French (that''s a traditional French wedding cake), but to be honest I just don''t find it very pretty. If I was French and had one, I would have a normal cake too so I could take pictures with it.

 

[AmberWaves]

Date: 2/24/2006 1:01:19 PM
Author: aphisiglovessae
Ha ha, looks like it needs a haircut. Just kidding. I think it''s a fun, new idea and it would be easier to portion. I''m not a big cream-puff pastry fan though.

ETA: The second one looks awfully sticky and messy.

Ha ha ha, it looks very goopy, to me too. There are assorted fillings, like mocha, vanilla, caramel, chocolate, so on.. You can also have it topped with chocolate (not like syrup, but like an eclair is topped). And since I''m such a dessert person, there would totally be more options instead of just that...

Also, I''ve seen pictures of couples with the Croquembouche (the french word for it) and I think it looks very nice. We aren''t really big cake eaters, which is why we''re looking into other options. I''m still leaning towards cupcakes, like the Croquembouche, it''s easier to portion.

 

[aphisiglovessae]

MMMMM.... I think having it covered in chocolate sounds yummy... I''ve seen the cupcake towers too and I think that they are darling, but maybe a bit pricier.

 

[Caribou]

I think I just gained 20 lbs.

But they sure do look tasty.

 

[E B]

I love the idea...it's perfect for a brunch. I'd go for the first instead of the second though (or maybe just powdered-sugar dusted creampuffs with assorted fillings?) as to lessen the chance of mess.

A wedding cake at brunch would be a bit heavy, IMO. This is a wonderful alternative!

 

[aphisiglovessae]

I think the powdered sugar dusting is a good idea and very pretty.

 

[Strawdermangrl]

My Tummy is growling, did anyone hear that?
It almost scared me....

I think you can''t go wrong, a cake is a cake is a cream puff- Go for it!

 

[AmberWaves]

ooh, powdered sugar does sound good... Maybe I could do one half with sugar, and the other ones with chocolate? With some strawberries mixed in with the puffs.. One of our colors is deep red, maybe that would work... Is it sad that I had brownie bites for breakfast???

 

[JKohio]

Friends of mine had a brownie cake instead of traditional wedding cake. It had 3 or 4 square layers, each a different flavor brownie. YUM! Guests could try their favorite flavor. Sorry I don''t have a pic. Your creampuff idea sounds different. Go for it! But, I''m biased... I love creampuffs!

 

[selflove]

I love creampuffs too. In fact, I never met a dessert I didn''t like. If I were a guest, I''d eat whatever sweet thing you put in front of me.

I think it''s a neat idea...different and seems fitting for a brunch.

ANother alternative I had at a wedding was cheesecake b/c the bride doesn''t like cake. It was decorated just like a traditional wedding cake though, so it didn''t look like a plain old cheesecake.

 

[AmberWaves]

I love the brownie cake idea, and my BF would love the cheesecake idea (I''m not a fan of cheesecake). But I know I have heard that the brides never really eat on their wedding day, but believe you me, if I had a cream puff tower I''d be eating.

 

[Angel7]

Date: 2/24/2006 2:22:40 PM
Author: selflove
I love creampuffs too. In fact, I never met a dessert I didn''t like. If I were a guest, I''d eat whatever sweet thing you put in front of me.

I think it''s a neat idea...different and seems fitting for a brunch.

ANother alternative I had at a wedding was cheesecake b/c the bride doesn''t like cake. It was decorated just like a traditional wedding cake though, so it didn''t look like a plain old cheesecake.

I double the eating anything sweet and I LOVE the cheesecake idea!!
Good thoughts selflove.
I like the little tower Amber, even cupcakes. Now I wan''t chocolate!

 

[curlygirl]

Technically, it''s called a croquembouche and they are very french! My cousin had one at her wedding as the groom''s cake and it was gorgeous. I think it''s a great alternative to a regular cake. I love the cupcake ideas too. Actually, anything sweet works for me!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 2/24/2006 2:22:40 PM
Author: selflove
I love creampuffs too. In fact, I never met a dessert I didn''t like. If I were a guest, I''d eat whatever sweet thing you put in front of me.

You and me both! haha I love the idea. I think you could have a lot of fun with it.

 

[eks6426]

I like the cream puff idea...just make sure they aren''t overly sticky. Very unique and perfect for a brunch. You could dress it up a bit by tucking fresh flowers in the tower.

 

[sunkist]

I really love the idea of a cream puff tower. But how are you going to keep them from tumbling over?

 

[saturn]

Yum, sound great to me!

 

[AmberWaves]

Well, Sunkist, I''m thinking about putting them all in a trough for me...

That way the only ones falling will be into my dress or mouth!

Honestly, I''m not sure, I think they have something to design that.

I definitely don''t want something too sticky. I think the chocolate/powdered sugar would be okay.. I want one so badly now.

 

[AmberWaves]

Also, is it just me, or do the puffs in the second picture look like round churros?

 

[flopkins]

man this thread is making me so hungry!! I like the cream puff idea, but I''m not so excited about the sugar threads... looks like a bird''s nest or something...

I like the powdered sugar thing... Actually since chocolate was mentioned, have you thought of a chocolate fountain? I kinda wanted one but it was too pricey... but you could have the cream puffs and various other fruits for the dipping items... yum...

 

[E B]

Date: 2/24/2006 7:33:36 PM
Author: flopkins
man this thread is making me so hungry!! I like the cream puff idea, but I'm not so excited about the sugar threads... looks like a bird's nest or something...

I like the powdered sugar thing... Actually since chocolate was mentioned, have you thought of a chocolate fountain? I kinda wanted one but it was too pricey... but you could have the cream puffs and various other fruits for the dipping items... yum...

Flopkins, I was thinking the same thing....perhaps they could all be powdered sugar dusted (does anyone actually dislike a little powdered sugar?) and she could have fancy little squeeze bottles full of chocolate if the guests want chocolate covered puffs. A bowl full of cut strawberries next to the puff pile would give guests another choice. Mmmm. Maybe a couple of honey squeeze bottles too.

Amber...for the creme puff tower, how about using a cupcake tree?

http://www.cupcaketree.com/

 

[dani13]

AW-

I too was going to suggest a cupcake tree...a lot of people on The Knot have done them and they are so cute!

Pics:

 

[dani13]

Another close up:

 

[qtiekiki]

I am a big fan of cream puff. They are so yummy, light and fluffy. The first one is so pretty and classy. I love the spun sugar threads too; I think they are pretty. Martha Stewart was showing how to make one of those a few weeks ago. The second one look kinda sloppy and too sweet to me with all those sugar glaze, and I am not a big fan of the frosting flowers either.

 

[sydneycasandra]

#1- very unique and cool- the spun sugar really makes it.
#2- if this was a ring I think it might end up on the "ugly" thread in SMTR (just my opinion though!)

I like the cream puff idea... sounds tasty and not so heavy and stuff like some wedding cakes.

 

[monarch64]

I can''t think of one person in my life who doesn''t love cream puffs! (Especially cream puffs drizzled in chocolate syrup, lol!) When I managed a major retail store, we used to do "parties" for our "boutique" department a few times a year..we always featured cream puffs drizzled in chocolate and everyone LOVED them!!!

I think a cream puff tower as an alternative to a traditional wedding cake would be completely fabulous. I mean, really, who''s going to turn their nose up at cream puffs????

 

[gingerBcookie]

oh yum yum yum yum YUM!