Unveiling the 2015 Wedding Cake Preview: Modern Buttercream Flowers by Erica OBrien
Welcome back to day three of our highly anticipated event, The 2015 Wedding Cake Preview! For two exciting weeks, we’re diving deep into the mesmerizing world of wedding cake artistry, celebrating breathtaking designs and uncovering the hottest 2015 cake trends straight from the industry’s leading experts. We’ve hand-picked top cake designers, asking them to predict the trends that will define the upcoming wedding season. Armed with these invaluable insights, this exceptionally talented group has been hard at work, meticulously crafting innovative new cakes, designed exclusively for this series and with you, our cherished readers, in mind. We invite you to join us daily as we debut a fresh, trend-inspired design. If you’ve missed any of our previous reveals, you can always catch up with the entire series right here.
The Resurgence of Buttercream: A Modern Classic for 2015 Brides
Today, we’re thrilled to unveil cake number three, a design that beautifully updates a classic technique with a contemporary flair, making it an absolute must-have for 2015 brides. The past few years have witnessed a magnificent comeback for buttercream cakes, with an increasing number of couples shunning the sleek finish of fondant in favor of more rustic, textured, and inherently personal designs. This shift reflects a broader trend towards authenticity and a desire for elements that feel natural and heartfelt on a wedding day. Today’s featured cake takes this beloved aesthetic to an elevated level, showcasing intricate clusters of hand-piped buttercream flowers designed to emulate the organic beauty of a freshly gathered wildflower bouquet. It’s a delicious and visually stunning statement that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of modern romance.
Meet the Visionary: Erica OBrien Cake Design Elevates Wedding Sweets
The third exquisite cake in our series comes to us from the immensely talented Erica OBrien, owner of Erica OBrien Cake Design, based in Hamden, CT. Erica’s distinguished style and unparalleled ability to transform current trends into truly elegant and refined designs consistently leave us in awe, always eager to discover her next imaginative creation. Erica joined our esteemed team of contributors last year, and since then, she has captivated us with a steady stream of innovative ideas and pioneering techniques. Who could forget her groundbreaking chocolate painted cake (yes, you read that right, a cake artfully painted with chocolate!), or her charming chalkboard & paper flowers cake? Beyond these unique concepts, Erica has also masterfully tackled some of the most talked-about design trends, translating them into edible masterpieces. From the playful geometry of pastel triangles to the delicate artistry of paper garlands, and even the whimsical elegance of golden pineapples, Erica possesses an extraordinary gift for taking popular aesthetics and elevating them into stunning, delicious realities. If you’ve recently fallen in love with a trend spotted on Pinterest, chances are Erica has already reinterpreted it into a fabulous cake design, many of which you can explore further here.
2015 Wedding Cake Inspiration: Wildflower Wonders in Buttercream
Today, Erica breathes new life into traditional buttercream flowers, giving them a decidedly 2015 makeover. Her inspiration? The unadulterated beauty and charming irregularity of a wildflower bouquet. Through a thoughtful selection of complementary colors and a diverse array of textures achieved solely with buttercream, these exquisite flowers appear as though they’ve been freshly plucked from a sun-drenched meadow. This unfussy yet elegant aesthetic pairs flawlessly with the rustic appeal of textured buttercream finishes, offering brides a deliciously beautiful alternative to fresh flowers. Beyond its visual charm, this cake serves as a compelling reason for all of us to dust off our piping bags and brush up on our buttercream skills, inspiring home bakers and professionals alike to explore the endless possibilities of this classic medium.
Erica OBrien’s Journey: From Wilton to Wildflower Masterpiece
Erica OBrien generously shares the fascinating inspiration behind her latest design, a testament to her evolving artistry:
“My passion for cake decorating first ignited about 20 years ago when I enrolled in a local Wilton class. In those days, the world of cake artistry revolved almost entirely around buttercream. (I use the term buttercream somewhat loosely because, truthfully, the buttercream I was using back then contained no actual butter!) While I developed a proficiency for piping and genuinely enjoyed creating piped flowers, everything changed once I was introduced to fondant. For a significant period, I believed I would never look back. The perfectly smooth, flawless finish I could achieve with fondant seemed to far surpass anything buttercream could offer, and I couldn’t envision a truly sophisticated cake that didn’t boast such an impeccable surface.”
“However, in recent years, my perspective has profoundly shifted. I’ve grown to deeply appreciate the rich, organic textures inherent in buttercream and have truly embraced its beautiful imperfections. This is an element you simply don’t get with fondant, and it’s something I’ve noticed people genuinely connect with on an emotional level. There’s an unmistakable sense of nostalgia and warmth that accompanies a classic buttercream cake. As buttercream has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity, I’ve found immense value in the skills I first acquired all those years ago. It’s been a wonderful journey of rediscovery, allowing me to merge traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics.”
Mastering the Technique: Crafting the Wildflower Dream
Delving deeper into the artistic process, Erica OBrien provides invaluable insights into her innovative technique:
“As artists in the culinary world, our constant challenge is to reimagine traditional techniques and imbue them with a fresh, contemporary update. For this particular cake, we achieved its distinctive texture by first icing each tier to a smooth finish and then expertly employing an icing comb to create subtle, organic ridges. This foundation provides a perfect backdrop for the floral artistry. Our approach to arranging the buttercream flowers on this cake departs significantly from traditional methods. Instead of uniform placement, the top and bottom tiers feature delicate, scattered clusters of small flowers, carefully positioned to complement the overall arrangement without overpowering it. The middle tier, however, is where the true magic happens; here, we layered the flowers generously, creating the enchanting illusion of an overgrown, blossoming wildflower garden – a truly unique and captivating focal point.”
“Working with butter-based buttercream can present its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to coloring, due to its naturally slightly yellow hue. Fortunately, I have a deep affection for rich, deep jewel tones, which are generally easier to achieve with accuracy and vibrancy in buttercream. For this specific design, we envisioned a palette of bright, joyful colors that would evoke the feeling of a beautiful summer bouquet, radiating happiness and warmth. This modern buttercream flower cake stands as a testament to combining time-honored techniques with a fresh, innovative vision. The result is a versatile look that feels equally at home and perfectly charming at a relaxed backyard gathering as it would at a more formal, yet still fun, summer wedding. It’s a design that speaks to both casual elegance and sophisticated whimsy, making it ideal for a wide range of celebrations.”
Connect with the Talents Behind This Masterpiece
We extend our deepest gratitude to Erica OBrien and her incredible team for sharing their artistry and insights with us as part of our exclusive 2015 Wedding Cake Preview. Their dedication to innovative design and masterful execution continues to inspire. If you’re as captivated by this stunning modern buttercream flower cake as we are, be sure to explore more of their work and the talented professionals who brought this vision to life.
VENDORS & CREDITS
Cake Design: Erica OBrien Cake Design
Visit their website to see more of Erica’s exquisite creations and commission your own bespoke wedding cake masterpiece.
Photography: Eric Brushett Photography
Discover Eric Brushett’s portfolio for more stunning photography that beautifully captures the essence of special events and culinary art.
Learn From This Baker: Online Cake Classes with Erica OBrien on Craftsy
Aspiring cake artists and seasoned decorators alike can learn the secrets to Erica’s incredible techniques. Enroll in her online classes to elevate your own cake decorating skills and bring her unique vision to your kitchen.
Stay tuned for more incredible designs as our 2015 Wedding Cake Preview continues! Don’t miss a single trend-setting reveal.