Topping off the reception meal, your cake may be the last—and sweetest—impression guests have of your big day. Six local bakers designed autumn-themed cakes and recommended delicious, warm flavors.
{1} Inspired by a bride’s burnt-orange color scheme and bow-tied dress, this cake from Bridal Cakes by Ann exudes simplicity and elegance with a touch of whimsy. Brushed with pearly luster dust and filled with cream cheese, the carrot cake provides a luscious treat for an autumn affair. Kenosha, 262.654.3054
{2} This new creation by The Cake Guru’s Tamara Mugerauer features hand-cut, -molded and -colored fondant leaves covering layers of cake in varying flavors. Mugerauer recommends alternating layers of chocolate raspberry cheesecake torte with rich Kahlua velvet cake filled with chocolate silk and mocha. For a romantic twist, substitute rose petals for the leaves. Oshkosh, 920.236.9144
{3} As quickly as Susan Warner of Brookfield Wedding Cakes can design whimsical cakes, her husband Tom is by her side baking and delivering them. While your guests may not know that Susan hand-made these sugar-paste leaves and pumpkins, they’ll surely appreciate the finishing touches: buttercream icing in a thistle pattern and a copper-colored satin ribbon. Brookfield, 262.781.2253
{4} Provide a delightful surprise for your guests’ palates with Simma’s Bakery’s award-winning cheesecake. Paired with buttercream frosting, this cake provides a delicious end to any meal. The hand-drawn leaf design and edible acorns are just as delectable. Milwaukee, 414.257.0998
{5} To avoid dark frosting staining smiles, Jennifer Larsen of All About the Cake airbrushes the colors of your choice onto white fondant, then highlights the entire confection with luster dust, adding a polished, satiny look. For a fall feeling, try this style in amaretto with toasted almond filling or chocolate hazelnut filled with chocolate truffle. Green Bay, 920.863.5999
{6} This quilted cake design will keep you warm in brisk fall weather. Spice cake filled with two layers of pumpkin buttercream, plus another layer of cream cheese white-chocolate buttercream makes for a tasty treat. Another popular choice is a vanilla cake with a couple layers of vanilla bean pastry cream and chocolate ganache. The Cake Lady, St. Francis, 414.294.4220