Wedding Cake Types: Flavors, Frosting, And Fondant Explained

Wedding cakes come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. From traditional round or square cakes with multiple tiers to modern and contemporary designs, there are endless possibilities to choose from. The cake is often the centrepiece of a wedding celebration, reflecting the style and theme of the event.

When it comes to flavours, the options are just as varied. Timeless flavours include vanilla, chocolate, white cake, red velvet, and coconut. More unique flavours include banana coconut mocha, spiced pear with chai tea icing, and ginger and passionfruit. Couples can also choose to incorporate seasonal flavours or flavours that represent their region.

In addition to the flavour of the cake itself, fillings and toppings can also be customised. Popular filling options include fruit jam and preserves, buttercreams, chocolate, and caramel ganache. Couples can also add texture to their cake with Oreo or cookie crumbles, granola clusters, or spiced apple chunks.

The possibilities for wedding cakes are endless, allowing couples to create a unique and personalised dessert that reflects their style and personality.

Traditional wedding cakes

Today, traditional cakes are often made with creamy textures and are enriched with fresh fruit and chocolate. They come in various shapes and sizes, from round to square, oval, and rectangular, and can be single-tiered or multi-tiered.

Traditional flavours include vanilla, chocolate, white, lemon, and red velvet. White wedding cakes are made with egg whites, while yellow cakes are made with whole eggs, giving them their signature hue. Red velvet cake is a show-stopping colour, and lemon cake is a tangy, refreshing choice. Vanilla is a versatile option, with varieties such as Mexican and Madagascar. Chocolate cake is a timeless classic, and can be paired with a variety of fillings, frostings, and toppings.

Modern wedding cakes

Geometric designs are a popular choice for modern wedding cakes, with angular details and linear shapes adding a contemporary twist to classic cakes. Square cakes, for example, can be given a modern update with colour blocking. Alternatively, hexagonal cakes offer a unique shape that is sure to make a statement.

Modern cakes also often feature bold colours, such as dark hues or terracotta, which can be used to tie in the wedding colours or add a dramatic touch. Black fondant, for instance, can be paired with gold leaf and softened with florals for a modern and elegant design.

Metallic details, such as gold foil or gold leaf, add a modern glamorous touch to wedding cakes. Fresh greenery can be added to the base to create a juxtaposition of natural and glamorous elements.

Artistic designs are also a popular choice for modern wedding cakes, with watercolour-inspired prints, marble effects, and embossed textures all adding a unique and contemporary feel. For a truly modern masterpiece, bakers can even mimic buildings or other designs with the cake's façade.

Overall, modern wedding cakes offer a sleek and contemporary option for couples, with endless possibilities to create a cake that reflects their unique style and personality.

Wedding cake shapes

Wedding cakes come in a variety of shapes, from the classic round cake to more unusual designs. Here is a guide to help you choose the perfect wedding cake shape for your big day.

Round Cakes

Round cakes are circle-shaped and often chosen for their symbolism of unity and their resemblance to wedding rings. They can have one or more tiers, and some couples opt for a small round cake for the traditional cake-cutting moment, while serving guests from a larger version.

Oval Cakes

Oval wedding cakes offer a soft, elliptical shape with layers that can be stacked centred or off-centred, providing a unique visual twist on the traditional round cake.

Square Cakes

Square cakes are box-shaped and typically come with multiple tiers. They often incorporate traditional wedding decorations to differentiate themselves from birthday cakes. Square cakes yield more slices and are easier for caterers to cut, making them a practical choice.

Sheet Cakes

Sheet cakes are made in a flat, rectangular pan and tend to be served as a single layer. They are a cost-effective option, and some couples choose to have a smaller, more decorated cake for cutting and photos while serving guests from a sheet cake.

Rectangular Cakes

Rectangular cakes are longer than square cakes but not as large as sheet cakes. They can be served as a single or multi-tiered treat, with layers centred or off-centred. Couples may choose multiple rectangular cakes to accommodate different dietary restrictions or flavours.

Hexagon Cakes

Hexagon wedding cakes have six sides and can be served as a single or multi-layered cake. This shape is perfect for those who want a cake with corners.

Mixed Shape Cakes

Mixed shape cakes feature multiple layers of differently shaped cakes, offering a unique geometric display. They can be alternating shapes (round, square, round) or entirely unique combinations (rectangular, round, square, heart).

Petal Cakes

Petal or flower cakes typically have five or six half-circles surrounding a circle-shaped cake. They can be found as single-tier, multi-tier, or mixed-shape cakes, often combined with round or hexagon-shaped layers.

Staircase Cakes

Staircase-shaped cakes use multiple stacked layers to resemble an actual staircase. They can be created by stacking square or rectangular layers, or by adding a spiral staircase to the side of a multi-tiered round cake.

Sculptural Cakes

Sculptural cakes are true works of art, often hand-carved from various other cake shapes. Couples can work closely with their baker to create a unique design that reflects their vision and personality.

Wedding cake flavours

Wedding cakes come in a variety of flavours, from traditional to eclectic, and the choice can be overwhelming. The flavour often depends on the style of the wedding and the couple's personal taste. Here is a guide to help you choose the perfect wedding cake flavour.

Timeless Flavours

Vanilla, chocolate, white cake, yellow cake, red velvet, coconut, strawberry, lemon, and almond are classic, foolproof choices for a wedding cake. These flavours are universally loved and pair well with a variety of fillings, frostings, and toppings. For instance, chocolate can be combined with fruits, vanilla frosting, or peanut butter filling, while lemon cake goes well with berries, elderflower, or herbs like lavender and mint.

Trending Flavours

For a unique twist, consider a combination of chocolate and raspberry, banana coconut mocha, spiced pear with chai tea icing, or ginger and passionfruit. These flavour pairings offer a blend of sweet and tangy, perfect for a summer wedding. For a fall wedding, try pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting or spiced pear with chai tea icing.

Flavours Based on Filling

Fruit jam and preserves are popular choices for wedding cake fillings, with strawberry, pineapple, apricot, lemon, and raspberry being the most common options. Buttercreams, chocolate, cookies and cream, and various cream-based fillings can also be used. Chocolate or caramel ganache adds a touch of decadence, while Oreo or cookie crumbles, granola clusters, and spiced apple chunks provide extra texture.

Seasonal and Regional Flavours

Incorporating seasonal flavours into your wedding cake is a great way to make it special. For a summer wedding, consider a light and refreshing passionfruit cake with buttercream frosting, while autumn calls for rich, decadent flavours like berries and dark chocolate. Regional flavours can also be a fun way to represent your heritage or the location of the wedding.

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

It is important to consider any food allergies or dietary restrictions your guests may have. Plan ahead by asking guests about their allergies and providing a variety of cake options to accommodate different needs. This can include gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or nut-free choices.

Cake Tasting

With so many flavour options to choose from, scheduling a cake tasting can be extremely helpful. This allows you to sample different flavours and find the perfect combination that represents your taste and the style of your wedding.

Wedding cake fillings

Fruit

Fruit is a popular choice for wedding cake fillings, especially for summer weddings. Raspberry, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, and apricot are all great options. You can also choose to have a fruit buttercream or a fruity jelly-like filling. The more fruit you can see, the deeper the taste! Raspberry and lemon are particularly popular choices and go well with white cakes or a lemon cake. Strawberry is a great option for a fresh taste and pairs well with a champagne cake.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a classic choice for wedding cakes and can be used in various ways. Chocolate buttercream is a good option for a medium level of chocolate, while chocolate ganache is perfect for chocoholics. Chocolate cake with salted caramel filling is also a popular choice. For something a little different, try a chocolate cake with orange liqueur and rich chocolate mousse or a chocolate sponge with raspberry puree and chocolate mousse.

Cream

Cream-based fillings are a rich option for wedding cakes. Vanilla buttercream is a classic and simple choice that goes with everything. Swiss meringue is a very buttery version of buttercream that is not too sweet. Cream cheese is another option that goes well with bold flavours like red velvet, spice, strawberry, or chocolate.

Other fillings

There are many other options for wedding cake fillings, such as salted caramel, cookies and cream, peanut butter, cappuccino, or floral flavours like lavender. For a unique twist, you can combine multiple fillings. For example, a chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and peanut butter buttercream or a strawberry cake with lemon buttercream and lemon curd.

Ultimately, the choice of wedding cake filling is up to the couple's preferences, and there are endless possibilities to create a unique and delicious cake.

Frequently asked questions