Trending Now: California Wedding Cheese Cakes

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. and MODESTO, Calif., May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Move over cupcakes and cake-pops, this season's tastiest wedding trend has officially arrived, wedding cheese cakes.  Elegant wheels of California cheese stack up to create a savory spin on the classic wedding cake and offer couples a tasty way to personalize their special day.

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While cupcakes, cake-pops and traditional cake will always have a celebratory role at weddings, many guests may also enjoy a savory end to the night.  In fact, after dinner cheese courses are growing in popularity and are finding their place alongside the sweet offerings on many restaurant dessert menus. A California cheese cake can also be paired with sweet accompaniments to offer guests the best of both worlds. Consider serving aged Gouda paired with a rich dark chocolate or a tangy Blue cheese drizzled with honey.  

"With more than 250 varieties and styles of California cheeses to choose from, a wedding or special occasion cheese cake offers the perfect way to create a dessert  as unique as the honored couple or event host," said Jennifer Giambroni, Director of Communications for the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB).

The entertaining experts at the CMAB offer the following tips to help design a one-of-a-kind wedding cheese cake that showcases a couples' unique style.  First, use varying size wheels and types of cheese to create a tiered cake. Work with your local cheese buyer to secure uncut wheels or squares of cheese (you can also order directly from the cheesemaker). Think about the layers and how they will look when cut open and, when deciding on the size of "cake," assume one to two ounces of each cheese per guest.

Here are a few ideas to stack up a delicious real California wedding cheese cake:

• Taste of California Cheese Cake (shown in photo). Top: Whole Milk Basket Ricotta; Middle: Billton Blue Cheese; Base: Nicasio Square. 
• Central Valley Cheese Cake. Top: Panela; Middle: California Aged Gouda; Base: Lionza (or other Alpine-style cheese)
• Golden State Cheese Cake. Top: Breakfast Cheese or creamy Blue; Middle: Carmody; Base: Teleme
• Wine Country Cheese Cake. Top: Crescenza; Middle: California Camembert; Base: Dry Jack or Dry Jack Reserve

After the cake cutting, set up a buffet of real California cheeses and accompaniments. Remove each cheese onto its own platter and garnish with thoughtfully chosen accompaniments such as sweet berries and champagne grapes, or salumi and olives. Garnishes are another great opportunity for personal style and taste to stand out.

Create perfect pairings with each cheese such as Blue cheese and soft gingersnaps, farmhouse Cheddar and dried fruits, Dry Jack and dark chocolate with nuts. Wine lovers can also pair cheese with their favorite wine varietal or celebratory champagne or consider a beer and cheese pairing for a more casual affair. Download the Pair Savvy APP to help pick the perfect pairing for the big day.

California is the nation's leading milk producer and also produces more butter, ice cream, and nonfat dry milk than any other state. The state is the second-largest producer of cheese, which is available nationally under the Real California Cheese seal. Ninety-nine percent of California dairy farms are family owned and that means consumers are supporting dairy families when they look for the Real California milk and cheese seals when they shop.

About the California Milk Advisory Board
The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,600 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest commodity boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information about California dairy products, visit www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com, like Real California Milk at Facebook.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, follow at Twitter.com/RealCalifMilk, pin at Pinterest.com/RealCalifMilk and follow on Instagram @RealCalifMilk

SOURCE California Milk Advisory Board