Prince Harry's Wedding Cake Recipe Revealed
Introduction to Prince Harry's Wedding Cake
When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in May 2018, the world was captivated by every detail of the royal wedding. Among the many elements that enchanted onlookers, the wedding cake stood out as a unique and personal touch to the celebration. Created by pastry chef Claire Ptak, the lemon elderflower cake was both visually stunning and delicious, promising to cater to the tastes of those with a penchant for citrus and floral notes.
Essential Ingredients
Here are the key components you’ll need to recreate this royal delight:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups elderflower cordial
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
🌱 Note: Ensure your eggs and buttermilk are at room temperature before you begin. This aids in achieving a smooth batter.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking the Cake
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
Mixing the Cake Batter
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This might take about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in the lemon zest and juice, followed by the elderflower cordial.
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
Baking
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Assembling the Cake
Elderflower Syrup and Buttercream
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Elderflower cordial | 1/2 cup |
Sugar | 1/4 cup |
Water | 1/4 cup |
Butter | 1 1/2 cups |
Icing sugar | 4 cups |
Elderflower Syrup
- Mix elderflower cordial, sugar, and water in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer, stirring until sugar dissolves. Let cool.
- Brush this syrup over the cooled cake layers to add moisture and flavor.
Elderflower Buttercream
- Whip butter until creamy.
- Gradually sift in icing sugar, continuing to beat until fully incorporated.
- Once fluffy, add elderflower cordial gradually, beating until the mixture is light and spreadable.
Stacking and Decorating
- Place the first cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand.
- Spread or pipe a layer of buttercream, then top with the second layer, repeating until all layers are stacked.
- Apply a crumb coat of buttercream to seal in crumbs and chill the cake for 30 minutes.
- Finish with a final layer of buttercream, smoothing or swirling for your desired look.
- Decorate with edible flowers or perhaps a few delicate sprigs of elderflower for an authentic royal touch.
🌼 Note: If you can't find elderflower, you can use a floral or citrus-flavored sugar syrup instead.
As you’ve seen, creating a cake fit for royalty isn’t just about the recipe; it’s about the care, the selection of ingredients, and the love that goes into each step. While your kitchen might not be in a castle, your baking can certainly achieve royal levels of taste and elegance. Keep in mind that even small variations in the recipe, like using homemade elderflower cordial or adjusting sweetness to your taste, can personalize this already extraordinary cake.
Now that you have the secrets to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s lemon elderflower wedding cake, why not bake it for your next celebration? Whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, or just a gathering with friends, this cake is sure to be the centerpiece of discussion and delight.
What is elderflower cordial, and where can I find it?
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Elderflower cordial is a sweet, floral syrup derived from elderflowers. You can typically find it in specialty grocery stores, online, or sometimes even in the drink mix aisle of supermarkets. Look for brands like Belvoir or St-Germain.
Can I make the elderflower cordial myself?
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Yes, you can make elderflower cordial at home. You’ll need elderflowers, sugar, water, lemon, and citric acid. Recipes often involve steeping elderflower blossoms in boiling water with sugar, then straining and preserving the liquid.
How can I ensure my cake layers are all the same height?
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Use a kitchen scale to divide your batter evenly. Once baked, you can use a cake leveler or a serrated knife to trim any domed tops for a level finish before stacking.