Let Them Eat Cake
Amidst the stress of wedding planning, the cake-testing stage is an oasis in the desert. Tried-and-true flavors like vanilla, chocolate & carrot cake are crowd-pleasers for a reason. However, if you really want a wedding to remember, you'll pick a unique cake that guests won't be able to forget.
1. Orange Blossom
If you're aiming for a snow-capped wedding, why not shake off some of those winter blues with a summery orange blossom cake. With orange marmalade filling and buttercream frosting, this flavor is sweet, indulgent, and just a bit tangy. It's the perfect companion to a white wedding.
2. Lavender
Elevate a simple vanilla cake by soaking it in lavender syrup for a delicate and aromatic flavor. Lavender is great for rustic or cottagecore weddings, but be careful that you don't let it soak too long, otherwise it will taste like diving face-first into a lavender field. Recommended flavor pairings include honey, sage, and lemon.
3. Champagne
Make every bite a celebration with a champagne cake. The fizz of the champagne gives this cake a moist and fluffy texture and delicate tang. And don't worry, the alcohol evaporates in the cooking process, making this cake safe for everyone to eat!
4. Matcha
In case you somehow haven't noticed, we're having a bit of a matcha moment right now. Matcha is rich, creamy, and a bit smoky; it's sweet but not sickly so. If you want to be even more on trend, you can combine a matcha cake with strawberries or blueberries to enhance the flavor profile.
5. Lemon Blueberry
Lemon blueberry cake is the closest you can get to tasting sunshine. The freshness of the berries and the depth of the lemon make for a bite that feels nostalgic, yet totally innovative. This flavor works best from late spring to early fall.
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6. Earl Grey
Earl grey is one of the best flavors for a cozy fall or winter wedding. The flavor is sweet from the bergamot, but not too floral, making it a winner for almost every palate. It's subtle enough to appeal to non-tea drinkers, yet still complex for even the most sophisticated guests.
7. Passion Fruit
Passion fruit isn't just for tropical cocktails. This Bold and bright fruit has an intense flavor, carefully balancing between sweetness and tart. Topped with freshly cut seeds, this cake will be a showstopper and an eye-catcher.
8. Cardamom Vanilla
Another cozy cake, cardamom vanilla is a great way to balance classic and unique flavors. Popular in Middle Eastern and Nordic cuisines, cardamom tastes of warmth in every bite. The peppery notes are a great way to spice up a classic cake without scaring off less adventurous guests.
9. Key Lime
If you're planning a destination wedding among palm trees and white-sand beaches, a key lime cake might be just what you need. Key limes much more aromatic than the Persian limes you find at most grocery stores, but not too acidic. Top with fluffy meringue for two desserts in one.
10. Chocolate Orange
Stuck between sweet and citrus flavors? Chocolate orange cake is the answer to your prayers. Both flavors are acidic in nature, which makes them a match made in cake heaven. As an added bonus, this cake will photograph great.
11. Strawberries & Cream
A flavor sure to delight all the little lads who love berries and cream, a strawberry cream cake is perfect for spring. Filled with vanilla pudding, this lovely pink cake will satisfy your sweet tooth without making it hurt. It's so light you won't even blame your guests for trying to sneak slices home with them.
12. Raspberry Ripple & White Chocolate
Raspberry ripple is a great complement to the light, delicate flavor of white chocolate. This flavor is frilly and feminine in all the best ways. You could also serve cupcakes, each topped with a juicy raspberry.
13. Lemon & Elderflower
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose this classy flavor for their wedding cake, and we can't think of a better endorsement. The floral elderflower syrup and the tart lemon curd play well together for one classy cake. This is the perfect flavor for a summer wedding.
14. Mango Yuzu
Yuzu was everywhere a few years ago, and we totally understand why. The tangy flavor is so distinct that it's difficult to compare it to anything else. Here, the creaminess of the mango glaze cuts through the mouth-puckering tartness of the yuzu for a cake that's totally unique.
15. Pistachio Dark Chocolate
A cake that's a fun color is guaranteed to get guests talking, and this vibrant green cake is no exception. Top a typical dark chocolate cake with pistachio marscapone for an eye-catching cake with hidden depth.
16. Rhubarb & Rose
Nutty, sweet, and floral, rhubarb rose cake is complex yet comforting. A staple flavor in Persian cooking, the floral notes of rose water are a perfect match for the zing of rhubarb. Top with edible flowers for a cake that's almost too beautiful to eat.
17. Vanilla Chai
Vanilla chai is a great flavor for fall weddings that want to avoid commonplace apple cinnamon or brown butter cakes. The complex spice of the chai mixed with the softness of a traditional vanila spongue result in a cake you just want to sink into.
18. Blackberry & Basil
Blackberry & basil may sound a little out there for a wedding cake, but it's a brilliant pick for a non-traditional couple. Basil takes to berries like a duck to water, and the deep, almost woody flavor of blackberry is the perfect match. As a bonus, both of those flavors have a somewhat cooling effect, which can be a godsend for sweltering outdoor weddings.
19. Ginger & Pear
Ginger & pear is another unconventional combination for a wedding cake, but we think it works. Pears are more subtle than apples in a way that pairs—pun fully intended—beautifully with the sharpness of fresh ginger. Topped with bourbon brown butter, this cake is sweet without tasting artificial.
20. Pink Prosecco
Is it cliche to describe a sparkling wine as effervescent? Perhaps. Is it wrong? Not at all. The bright pink cake is youthful with a boozy kick. Adorn with edible gold leaf for another taste of luxury.
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