Icing to Hold up at Outdoor Summer Event

[ocampon]

I'm getting married in July in Sonoma, California and am trying to find an icing that will hold up in the weather (mid to upper 80s). I really don't want to use fondant or marzipan.
Would a buttercream made with butter and shortening last?
Any other options?

[Joyfull]

Originally Posted by ocampon

I'm getting married in July in Sonoma, California and am trying to find an icing that will hold up in the weather (mid to upper 80s). I really don't want to use fondant or marzipan.
Would a buttercream made with butter and shortening last?
Any other options?

Hi ocampon, check out this link.. You need to click where it says "this recipe has been moved"..
It will take you to Tammy Smith's Perfect Buttercream recipes and variations.. I'm sure you'll find what you need. There's also a discussion thread about her recipes if you want to check that out also..
Good luck!

recipe_cakes__buttercreamtami

[ocampon]

Thanks! I'll take this to whichever baker I end up using.

[siduri]

I made a wedding cake for my daughter in Rome, july, 100 degree heat and no air conditioning at home and the wedding was outdoors in the evening, probably around 90 to 80 degrees, byt the time the cake was served. I used fondant, but with a white chocolate cream cheese buttercream with less butter (see beranbaum's cake bible) under the fondant and between the layers and it held up very well. Tasty too.

[m brown]

use a swiss or italian bc with 10% of the fat use shortening.
make the cake the day before, box, platic wrap and refrigerate overnight.the cake needs to set up and flavors need to meld.
Show the cake out of the sun and you should be fine.

[castironchef]

Temps in Sonoma in July could be MUCH higher. You'd better plan on being able withstand 100s. All depends on what fog/heat cycle your wedding happens to fall on.

For you "foreigners," summer weather in the S.F. Bay Area can be downright weird to non-locals. The huge Central Valley bakes in summer sun, causing the all the hot air to rise (included those from the politicians). Cooler air from somewhere needs to rush in. The only break in the Coastal Range of mountains is the Golden Gate.

Thus, cool, moisture-laden (often foggy) air from the Pacific Ocean floods in through the Gate and spreads eastward towards the valley, cooling everything down. Sometimes, the prevailing winds are headed out to sea and the whole area bakes. However, this can only last a maximum of three days before "God's air conditioner" kicks in and the fog comes screaming back in.

One day it can be in the 100s and the next in the 70s. So, like a good Boy Scout, you'll need to be prepared.