Rustic Cake
The other day I found a whole bunch of fresh blackberries ripe for the picking. And so, an easy, simple, inspired and deliciously delightful entertaining idea popped up. Spilling the beans on my go-to ideas for entertaining and serving with style and let you mingle at the party without being in the kitchen half the time.
And today, we are talking desserts. As in Rustic Cakes. I know I have shared rustic cakes a gazillion times over here- they are definitely some of my favorites. And in the winter, baking layer after layer is a good thing and warms up the house a bit. But in the summer? That over does not like to come on too often. So, I have a simple secret to keep this cake amazingly easy and no bake for those hot summer days. This is a 4 layer delicious cake stacking with frosting and topped with berries and blooms. And that only took about 15 minutes to make. Seriously.
It is a freshly baked cake. With freshly made not from a can on the shelf frosting and topped with fresh fruit. So what is the catch? We will start with a trip to the supermarket.
The Secret
Did you know that at the bakery at many of the well known grocery stores across the country- you can purchase ‘layers’ of cake that are unfrosted? Yes indeed. And a tub of frosting that they just made that morning. Just go to the bakery department and ask.
So I picked up 4 layers of white cake at $2 a layer. And half a tub of white frosting for $7.
Now it is debatable if the frosting would be cheaper in the pre-made full of who knows what cans but honestly, this frosting spreads like butter. Really does go on much easier so it is worth the extra to me.
Start by stacking the first layer- then chunk a bunch of the frosting on it and repeat, repeat, repeat until all your layers are in place. Then you want to frost the top and pull your knife or spreader around the sides of the cake until is smooth in between and barely frosted. Be careful about pulling up crumbs.
Note- it does not look pretty the whole time- but it will.
Smooth the top making sure to keep the edges simple and rounded as you go. Once that is wrapped up you will have the start of your rustic aka naked cake.
Enter those fresh picked berries.
You can of course use store bought berries-just make sure they are fresh rather than frozen. You don’t want a whole mess of blackberry juice all over your cake as they thaw.
I also clipped fresh herbs and flowers to use. I used sage, catmint and lavender with small baby roses. Note: Key for safety when using flowers and greens on your cake is to make sure they are safe. Do some research ahead of time and a tip is to stay with herbs you know you are eating. If you aren’t using safe, pesticide free flowers, make sure to place a plastic disc layer in between them and the frosting. (you can find these at a bakery) And of course, don’t let anyone eat them. Another option is to use faux and not worry about it.
I layered the sage and mint to create a simple decor on half of the top of the cake and then tucked in just a few lavender sprigs, topped with blackberries and blueberries and created a 3/4 decorated look on the top of the cake.
For the garland – more fresh herbs tucked up against the cake around the base and on the platter for serving. You can also tuck in fresh greens or faux leaves for oomph. Then add your berries, blackberry branches and leaves.
I decided I also wanted a few roses but the ones at the store were too large. So I clipped a couple of the minis off our rose bushes and added 2 of them as a finishing touch.
You can also dip your berries in sugar for a bit of sparkle.
A Few Tips- I like to add sprigs of berries on the vine but they are thorny so make sure to clip the thorns before doing so and keep them as decoration (not on the top) so that no one eats them.
Wear gloves and shoes to avoid ouchies while picking berries.
Make sure to wash, dry everything before putting on the cake and that everything you are using is organic. (no pesticides)
And that is it. Simple, easy to make, pretty presentation and delicious.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
Gorgeous. I didn't know you could buy cake layers at the bakery. I have to remember that one. Thanks.
Unknown says
We planed THORNLESS blackberry bushes a few years ago. Worth every penny
Tanya says
Thanks for the tip about buying unfrosted layers and frosting. Definitely going to check our local stores.
Jolene says
This rustic cake looks absolutely beautiful, and looks like you spent hours fussing with it! I did not know about purchasing "naked" cakes and bakery frosting from grocery store bakeries. That's a great tip. I appreciate your cake decorating tutorial and look forward to trying it out. Thanks for sharing.
MHD says
What a great tip to purchase cake at the local grocery . I will need to ask. Love the look of this cake!
Anonymous says
BEAUTIFUL!
Anonymous says
Everything you touch becomes so incredibly beautiful! I've made a few naked cakes and they are never quite this lovely. You have such a gift.
Natascha says
Lovely! Looks so pretty!
Anonymous says
Simply beautiful! I didn't know that buying layered cakes and already made frosting were an option at the bakery stores. Thank yo so much for the tip.
Kathy says
A piece of artwork. Beautiful! We have a lot of wild blackberries – fullllllllll of thorns! Those little things just get me! 😉
Kathy
French Ethereal says
I'm going to have to ask about getting a couple of unfrosted cakes when my inlaws come in September. Your cakes always look soooo pretty and delicious! Happily pinned and G+ shared for you.
Barb ????????
Ricki Treleaven says
Courtney, this is absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the tips about purchasing the cake layers and frosting. I am saving this post to Bloglovin'.
Have a great week!
Ricki Jill
Sophie's mom says
Love that unfrosted layers can be purchased at grocery stores, takes beautiful layer cakes to a new level in my house, and frosting too. Beautiful cake and thanks for the tips.
Pat
Unknown says
Love the cake, great tip to purchase from local bakery! Going to have to remember it, the next time I need something fast. The cake is absolutely beautiful by the way.
Have a great weekend. Jody
Mary says
Beautiful!
Victoria says
Thank you for the tip on buying cakes from a bakery. I love entertaining but I stress because I try to make everything from scratch. I need to change some of my food prep methods so I enjoy myself more.
Mammabellarte Rita Reade says
Courtney, Thank you for the great tips!it looks delicious.
Have a wonderful weekend. Rita
polkadot19 says
Thanks for the tip to buy the naked cake layers and frosting. I purchased my wedding cake like this (just ordered vanilla layers). Did not request a wedding cake (but would have told them I was using it for that if they had asked.). Purchased roses and rose petals from a florist (no herbaside).
Judith says
Who knew? Such a dramatic caKe with so little effort! I can’t wait to source the layers and frosting. Thank you for the inspiration!
Courtney says
Thanks Judith! Have fun!
Sharon wichelns says
Absolutely gorgeous!! And what a beautiful caje!! Looks,delish!! Thank you for all your tips!! You make my day!
Sharon
Kym says
We spend so much time on the menu and hope one of our guests will offer to bring dessert. This cake is a game changer. Simple, beautiful, and semi-homemade! Thank you!
Debe Leone says
WHAT a great tip!! You are so clever. Check tomorrow when I shop!
Beautiful!!!