Ding Dong wedding cakes

by Nicole Weston, Posted Apr 17th 2006 @ 1:01PM

When you think about wedding cakes, chances are that you envision a tall, elegant dessert. It has sleek sides and might be adorned with splashes of sugar roses and pounds of buttercream frosting. Even if the cake is simple, ungarnished with excesses of sugar sculpture and fondant shapes, a wedding cake will always be elegant.

At least, almost always.

More and more couples are moving away from the traditional wedding cake model, having cupcake towers so that each guest can have an individual, elaborately decorated cake. The cupcakes maintain the elegance of tradition, but allow for an infusion of fun. Even further from the standard, however, is the snack-food cake. A snack food cake can be made of anything from Twinkies to Snowballs and chocolate donuts. What I didn't realize was how much the trend towards down-market "cakes" was catching on until I saw a "cake" of homemade Ding Dongs in the New York Times wedding announcements over the weekend.

Would you have wanted this at your wedding? Are you considering it for the future? I can't say that I would want it, but I would definitely serve ice cold milk, and not champagne, if I did.

[Image NYT]

Filed Under: Food Oddities, Trends, Newspapers
Tags: chocolate, classy, dessert, ding dongs, down-market, elegant, hostess, junk food, new york times, oddities, snack foods, snowballs, twinkies, wedding, wedding cake

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Reader comments (Page 9 of 15)

4-18-2006 @11:05AM Stephen said... It might not have been as bad if they had at least TRIED to dress it up a bit more than they did and make the "cake" look elegant. Unfortunately, it looks exactly like what it is; a tacky heap of cupcakes. Sticking a few flowers on the end-result doesn't do it. I've watched some of those "wedding-on-a-budget" shows before where they did very creative things with donuts and similar items, but still managed to make a very attractive "cake" for the wedding reception, so I know it can be done with more class than this. This just looks ridiculous.
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4-18-2006 @11:05AM Michelle said... NO DING DONGS FOR ME I WANT A REAL WEDDING CAKE......
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4-18-2006 @11:07AM Lauren Rossi said... Think it's a great idea, we can't judge a little creativity...maybe the bridal party had better plans with the wedding cake money...
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4-18-2006 @11:10AM Lindsay said... At my wedding next year we are planning to have individual creme brulees for each guest.
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4-18-2006 @11:13AM Michelle said... NO DING DONG CAKE FOR ME I WANT A WHITE CAKE WITH BLOOD RED ROSES.
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4-18-2006 @11:13AM A Wedding Planner said... I have to admit that this is definitely a one-of-a-kind choice. Generally our clients just wouldn't go for it. Though I must admit there have been two or three couples that would have LOVED the idea. It isn't my taste but, HEY, it's their day. Not my place to judge (ROFL)! Interesting!!!!
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4-18-2006 @11:13AM Fiorella Cutrufello said... Porca Miseria! ButI am embarassed....what is a Ding Dong,eh? I see a brown lump of something or other in the picture....
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4-18-2006 @11:17AM beck said... at least you tried to dress it up a bit
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4-18-2006 @11:18AM Rebecca said... I got married in Hawaii las Oct. On our one year anniversary we are going to throw a huge bash similar to a traditional wedding reception since we did not do one. We love the idea of the snowball or Krispycreme or ding dong cake.. especially for the kids. Maybe we will buy a smaller traditional one for the adults and let the kids and teens eat the snack cake one.
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4-18-2006 @11:20AM Nevin Stafford said... I think it would be better if it were made out of twinkies mmmmmmmm Sounds good to me
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4-18-2006 @11:23AM Jenn said... The one thing everyone else seems to forget is that the wedding isn't about cakes, dresses or ceremonies...it's about people...the bride and groom. I think if the bride and groom cannot afford something elaborate for a cake but want something creative then this would be perfect. It is unique, probably as is the bride and groom themselves. And just think...any kids in attendence would LOVE it!!
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4-18-2006 @11:23AM Robyn said... The reason for the diamond ring is because people used to right love letters on rocks with diamonds, I don't think De Beers was around for that
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4-18-2006 @11:24AM Virginia bradley said... it's their wedding! Personally I prefer to be invited to that wedding than one where the people call those less wealthly "White Trash"
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4-18-2006 @11:24AM Katherine said... There is no White Trash or Brown Trash, But snobbiness, yes - shame on you.
A wedding celebration is a celebration of love and happiness and if a ding dong makes someone happy, Then back off and leave them alone. Its not possible to please everybody, so why spend a fortune unless YOU'RE happy. Ding dong people, be happy!

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4-18-2006 @11:24AM Amy - bride to be said... I think that stepping out of the box is acceptable and I welcome it. However that ding-dong cake looks like it was put together in 5 minutes. I think that if it looked more elegant then it would probably be more appropriate for a wedding. It just looks sloppy!
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4-18-2006 @11:29AM Tracey said... Hey, to each their own. Who classifies as white or not it doesn't matter. Some people realize that a wedding is just a ceremony, not what your true love is made up of. Some people like the simple things in life, and you know what, what is more simple than a ding dong, a childhood memory of innocence. Why not remember these times when going into marriage.

It is your wedding, your life to live, enjoy it, create a day for you to remember, and if people don't like it that is their problem. If they are to stuck up to have a little bit of originality in their lives their loss not yours.

And on a another quick note, look deep into yourself, don't we all have a touch of the desire to have the freedom to be white trash, to be able to take our shoes off and run a little wild, not to have to worry about our hair and make up all the time. To be able to kick back and relax without trying to impress someone. I don't know about the rest of you, but I know I would enjoy having a few white trash days of kicking back in my life time.

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4-18-2006 @11:34AM Joe said... Sitting behind the expensive art deco wedding cake last summer at my wedding was another cake...made from HoHo's. Why not eat one of your favorite foods on your wedding day? The guests got a big kick out of it. It went well with the French Champagne. The person who suggested something like that is only done by "white trash" has lead a rather sheltered existence.
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4-18-2006 @11:35AM Debra O'Connor said... A ding dong cake sounds like fun! My niece got married last year and instead of cake they had ice cream sundaes. Ice cream was already scooped and mounded in a big serving bowl. We took out a scoop or two and added all kinds of toppings. The ice cream was from a local homemade ice cream shop. People are still talking about how clever it was and the wedding was truely unique just like the bride and groom.
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4-18-2006 @11:37AM ELIZABETH said... I BELIVE IF THE BRIDE AND GROOM WONT TO HAVE SOMETHING INSTEAD OF CAKE THAT SHOULD BE THEIR WAY.AFTER ALL ITS THEIR DAY IT SHOULD BE ABOUT THEM AND WHAT THEY LIKE.NOT THE PARENTS OR ANY ONE ELSE.LIFE CHANGES EVERY DAY TO NEW WAYS WEATHER OR NOT WE LIKE IT.EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT.
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