Strawberry Red Velvet Cheesecake
A traditional white wedding cake might never go out of style, but why should couples have to settle for the same stuffy wedding day dessert as everyone else? Plenty of people feel that a flowery, frosted cake just isn’t their thing, and instead, they’re turning dessert into an opportunity to share their favorite sweet treats with guests.
“Generations are changing, and people’s idea of what a wedding cake is supposed to be is changing,” said Alex Amoroso, founder of Cheesecakes by Alex. “People want to have something more fun. Weddings are becoming more individual, less formal — and so are desserts.”
For many couples, cheesecake is the tasty alternative they are looking for. The forever favorite is classic and versatile, and, since couples aren’t beholden to just one baked good, they’re mixing up the dessert menu to make sure there is something for everyone.
“You’re not limited to just one cake, so once you settle on cheesecake, it broadens what you can offer your guests,” said Amoroso.
Simply Chocolate Cheesecake
Most couples will start by choosing a few neutral flavors like New York style or Crème Brulée. Then they’ll throw in some of their favorites for fun.
“You can bet the bride and groom’s favorites make the cut! It’s their day,” Amoroso laughed.
Popular cheesecake flavors include Simply Chocolate, White Chocolate Raspberry and Strawberry Red Velvet.
All couples are invited for a cheesecake sampling before making their final selections.
“A lot of our customers and wedding cheesecake customers have been coming here since they were kids, or they’ve been coming here a long time, and they have definite favorites,” said Amorosa. “They love that they can have their favorite dessert on their wedding day, but also like knowing that they can cater to friends and family by choosing a few different flavors — even gluten-free or sugar-free cheesecakes.”
And who doesn’t like choices?
Cheesecakes by Alex offers all 24 of its flavors as wedding cakes, but maintains its role as a cheesecake-first company. With limited man hours, he says the team likes to work with couples’ expectations of design.
“We’re more limited with styling than, say, a shop with a wedding cake decorator on staff, but we can do tiers of cheesecake and decor like drizzles or flowers. We work with the couples to find solutions that work for everyone,” said Amoroso. “It’s always going to look nice. Guests will always be happy. And it’s always going to taste great.”
But cheesecake customization doesn’t have to end there. Couples are also saying “I do” to the dessert table.
“A lot of weddings are moving toward a nontraditional cocktail hour with people floating around and grazing all evening,” said Amoroso. “Instead of sit-down service, we’ve done cheesecake bars that are really fun because they can become a sort of social centerpiece.”
Cheesecake bars and dessert tables can include any of Cheesecakes by Alex’s bakery items including bite-sized cheesecake, brownies, blondies, cannoli, mini cannoli, coconut macaroons, cookies and more.
And for brides and grooms who want to have their cake and eat it too, literally, Cheesecakes by Alex can also create small layer cakes in decadent flavors like German Chocolate, Blueberry Velvet, Carrot Cake and more.
“It’s a great way for the couple to still have that cake-cutting photography moment,” said Amoroso.
“With a cake and some cheesecakes or a dessert table, there is something for everyone. Plus, we’ve never once heard anyone complain about having too many leftovers!”
Cheesecakes by Alex can cater weddings up to a 40-mile radius. Visit cheesecakesbyalex.com or call the Greensboro shop (336.273.0970) or Winston-Salem shop (336.893.8118) for more information.
