French Flavor

Ideas & Inspiration

French Flavor

"It's pure decadence," says Krissie Bowman, owner of The Last Bite, a European-style bakery in Tacoma, when asked why French cakes are so coveted. "French cakes are for couples who are willing to indulge for their wedding because it's a chance to distinguish themselves through exquisite flavor," Bowman says. 

French cakes, such as tortes, opera cake, génoise, dacquoise and marjolaine, are thinly layered cakes soaked in rich liqueurs and syrups and featuring airy mousses, fresh fruits and nuts; they may cost between $4 and $14 a slice. Because they are made with less sugar and instead are sweetened with natural ingredients, such as fruit syrups, French cakes are typically less sugary than traditional American wedding cakes and make a stunning showcase for the cold-weather seasonís available offerings: savory nuts, rich organic chocolate and preserved fruits.

Local bakers such as Bowman, who studied the art of pastry baking at the Seattle Culinary Academy, and Thierry Rautureau of Rover's, an acclaimed restaurant in Madison Valley, are thrilled that couples are expressing an appreciation for the refined flavor that comes with traditional French cakes.