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40 Unique Wedding Cake Flavors to Consider for Your Confection

Make your dessert unforgettable with one of these delicious ideas.

Wedding Cake With a Unique Flavor Decorated With Flowers

Photo by Magi Fisher

When it comes to selecting your wedding cake, you may find yourself focusing your attention on classic flavors, such as vanilla, strawberry, lemon, chocolate, and vanilla buttercream. However, wedding confections have ascended to new heights over the past few years, giving you more choices than you may even be aware of. Gone are the days when traditional cake flavors were the only options couples were searching for. Unique flavors are now a dominant trend in the world of wedding desserts. "I've been so happy to see more teas, herbs, and ingredients that are typically considered for savory food incorporated into cake flavors," says cake designer Jasmine de Lung, who provides a menu full of options like blue cheese, Earl Gray tea, sesame, coriander, and feta as the owner of Jasmine Rae Cakes.

"The most unusual flavor combination I made, that a couple actually ordered for their wedding, was a sake wine cake with black sesame paste, wasabi buttercream, and nori flakes," she adds. "Suffice it to say, it was controversially loved and hated." That being said, if this is your first time traversing the landscape of interesting wedding cake flavors, de Lung recommends considering if any tastes hold special meaning to your relationship. Maybe you both love blueberry jam—or find yourselves unable to get through the day without a few almond-milk lattes. Think about the foods, spices, and beverages that play an important role in your everyday lives. And once you've considered some of those flavors, see if a baker can create something unique based off of them.

For those who are a little daring or want a cake as distinctive as their love story, we've rounded up 40 of the best unique wedding cake flavors that are truly one of a kind. Read on to find your perfect match.

6 unique flavors for your wedding cake
Emily Roberts / Brides 
01 of 40

Strawberry Watermelon

For a summer wedding, consider bringing the flavors of the season into your dessert. Recreating a recipe from one of their favorite Australian restaurants, this couple had Edith Meyer Wedding Cakes craft a strawberry-watermelon treat with macerated strawberries, pistachios, and dried rose petals for their cutting cake. 

02 of 40

Butterscotch Bourbon

Mix sweet and smoky flavors with a butterscotch bourbon cake. Fans of whiskey will love the boozy notes infused into this confection. Regardless of whether you tie the knot in early spring or late fall, this treat will make guests feel like they’re wrapped in a flannel blanket in front of a crackling fire. 

03 of 40

Sour Cream

If you’re gravitating toward a pound cake for your big day, consider an unexpected—yet enticing—flavor: sour cream. This unique confection is perfect if you’re not a fan of sweets but still want to indulge in that classic wedding dessert. This bride’s mother surprised her with the delicacy, crafted by Dessert Designs, at her Nashville nuptials. 

A Couple's Cake With a Unique Flavor of Mango and Matcha at Their Reception

Photo by Kyle John Photography

04 of 40

Mango

While a mango cake is delicious on its own, you can also combine it with other flavors for a unique treat. Layer it with matcha for a touch of bitterness—like ECBG Cake Studio did for this couple’s Chicago celebration—or add in passionfruit for a fruit-forward dessert. 

05 of 40

Raspberry Lemonade

This refreshing flavor is much more than just a summertime beverage. For their Flintstones-inspired nuptials, this couple tapped Hey There, Cupcake to craft a raspberry-lemonade cake decorated with flowers that served not only as a delicious sweet treat—but also as an aesthetically-pleasing focal point for their reception space. 

06 of 40

Grand Marnier

Give your wedding cake a little French panache with the citrusy flavor of Grand Marnier. The cognac provides dimension to simple cake flavors and adds a little je ne sais quoi. If you're not a fan of Grand Marnier, other types of brandy can also be used to amplify the flavor of your wedding cake.

07 of 40

Peanut Butter Cup

Sweet, salty, nutty—this decadent delight checks all the boxes. Layer a chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream, chocolate, and peanut butter ganache, then top it off with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups."This is my husband's favorite," says de Lung. "Naturally, we include extra chocolate and salted caramel."

08 of 40

Chocolate Chai

A chocolate Bailey's cake is sure to please any cocoa—and liqueur—lovers in your midst. But with the addition of a chai-spiced buttercream, the chocolate confection is elevated to ultra-sophisticated heights.

09 of 40

Sultry Chocolate

This unique flavor combines dark chocolate cake, cabernet curd, fresh raspberries, and French buttercream. If you're feeling extra adventurous, de Lung recommends pairing it with goat cheese.

If you're on a budget, de Lung advises that "opting for sheet cakes to feed guests may help with the caterer's cake-cutting fee."

10 of 40

Blueberry Burst

Consider this an ode to New England summers. A blueberry-buttermilk cake with blueberry jam filling practically bursts with the taste of foraged finds. A luscious maple buttercream will also inject richness into every bite.

Vanilla sponge cake with a passion fruit curd and coconut buttercream

PHOTO BY BROGEN JESSUP

11 of 40

Tropical Coconut Guava

This flavor combination calls for a coconut sugar cake (which de Lung says tastes like graham crackers), coconut sugar caramel, and guava or passionfruit curd. "Coconut sugar does not liquify as easily as cane sugar," de Lung says. "So be sure to use an inherently moist cake recipe."

12 of 40

Strawberry Champagne

These flavor profiles are sure to elevate any guest's mood. How? Well, on its own, a dark chocolate raspberry cake is quite scintillating to the senses. When combined with a layer of strawberry champagne cake, it transforms into the most romantic confection in town.

13 of 40

Bananas Foster

Bananas Foster may have been born in the French Quarter, but you don't have to be in New Orleans to enjoy the classic treat. Build these quintessential Louisiana flavors into your wedding dessert by combining a butter cake with a caramel-and-banana filling, as well as rum and cinnamon.

14 of 40

Floral Pistachio

This isn't just any run-of-the-mill pistachio cake. This delicious dessert incorporates balsamic-soaked strawberries and refreshing rose buttercream. "For the cake, be sure to use a recipe that gives ample latitude for an enormous amount of nuts," de Lung says. "Also be sure to use more salt than usual, otherwise the pistachio flavor will be too subtle." This is especially important if, like de Lung, you aren't keen on extracts and opt for the real deal.

15 of 40

Luscious Lemon

"Did you say Meyer lemon?," de Lung asks. "Even if it's a Eureka lemon, I love lemon to be super tart, darkened with burnt caramel, and softened with something creamy. Lemon pretty much goes splendidly with any flower, herb, or tea flavor."

painted chocolate cake with sunflowers

PHOTO BY NEVIE PIE CAKES

16 of 40

Coffee Cream

Try a chocolate cake with coffee buttercream for a buzzworthy dessert. To craft this rich treat, top a torte with coffee meringue buttercream, espresso Kahlua ganache, and hazelnut mousse.

17 of 40

Honey Lavender

Honey and lavender make just about anything sound more ethereal and dreamy. While the combination pairs beautifully with most spring and summer flavors, we're partial to a lemon-blueberry cake with honey-lavender buttercream filling. Swoon.

18 of 40

Salted Caramel

"Salted caramel" doesn't do this combination justice. Think: Vanilla-bean-browned-butter cake, salted caramel mousse, and a baked crumble (yes, like the topping of a pie). Our tastebuds haven't been able to recover after de Lung dropped this one on us.

19 of 40

Spiked Red Velvet

Whether you hail from south of the Mason-Dixon line or not, rich layers of red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Take your icing to the next level by lacing the cream cheese with decadent amaretto. (This is a great way to gently push the flavor-profile envelope with picky eaters.)

20 of 40

Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl

While this flavor may transport you back to your childhood, this consummate crowd-pleaser need not be ordinary. "Since these flavors are so common and so familiar, it is imperative to use the absolute finest ingredients," de Lung says.

Colorful three-tier cake with honey lavender buttercream filling

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

21 of 40

Strawberry Rhubarb

If elderflower is a tad floral for your palette, a strawberry and rhubarb pairing can offer a more grounded effect. A delicate almond cake with strawberry-rhubarb jam and lemon-curd buttercream tastes just as divine as it sounds.

22 of 40

Campfire S'mores

All the nostalgia of fireside s’mores and ghost stories gets mixed into this crescendo of wedding cake flavors. Layer chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse and graham cracker, add marshmallows, and top with vanilla buttercream.

23 of 40

Caramel Apple

If your nuptials are scheduled for the fall, we recommend you take note of this unique wedding cake flavor: An apple-spice cake with roasted apples, brown sugar mousse, and topped with caramel buttercream. Now all you need is the matching rustic venue.

24 of 40

Tea-Infused

De Lung suggests a pairing of Osmanthus tea cake with roasted apricots and Osmanthus tea icing. "Because Osmanthus tea is so delicate, you need at least two cake elements to include the infusion," she says. "I might also recommend introducing something with texture, but still delicate in flavor, like sliced almonds."

25 of 40

Mexican Chocolate

If you're hosting a destination wedding south of the border, or simply love the flavor profiles of the region, this one's for you. A Mexican chocolate sponge cake with cocoa crumble and tamarind coulis will certainly make your taste buds dance. If you're partial to a little kick, add cinnamon and Mexican chili powder or cayenne pepper.

four-tier wedding cake decorated with buttercream and orchids

 Photo by Norman & Blake

26 of 40

Key Lime

"I actually love Kalamansi limes, which I believe are native to the Philippines," says de Lung. However, she won't settle for just any key lime concoction. "I love to infuse the cream element with something like oregano," she says.

27 of 40

Blackberry Elderflower

A whimsical touch can go a long way in your wedding choices. For example, consider a blackberry-and-elderflower sponge cake. It presents a far more airy dynamic to the grounded richness of other flavors.

28 of 40

Ginger Spice

A punchy ginger spice cake is ideal for any autumnal fêtes. Pair it with seasonal flavors like maple frosting and vanilla bean icing for a festively decadent finish. (We get all cozy just thinking about it.)

"I advise my couples to consider the time of year or if they're getting married by the ocean, because depending on the heat or weather, certain flavors may be more challenging for the cake-maker to create," says de Lung.

29 of 40

Fragrant Cardamom

Floral and captivating, cardamom is a spice unlike any other. Its aromatic profile lends itself nicely to wedding cakes since the intensity can be softened within the batter. Pair this flavor with fresh raspberries and vanilla bean French buttercream for a rich evolution.

30 of 40

Carrot and Brown Butter

Often overshadowed in the wedding space by its more posh counterparts, this familiar favorite has been making quite the resurgence. With the addition of punchy spices, such as cinnamon and cardamon, as well as an injection of nutty brown butter components, the traditional carrot cake is completely transformed.

wedding cake with lavender and greenery

Photo by One Love Photography

31 of 40

Olive Oil and Rosemary

For a cottagecore-inspired wedding cake flavor, consider an olive oil cake. A vanilla-rosemary olive oil cake is surprisingly sophisticated on the palette. Lighten things up with lemon, raspberry, and ricotta flavors for an additional dash of freshness. If you're looking for more sweetness, swap the lemon for blood orange.

32 of 40

Maple Pumpkin

If you're a pumpkin-spiced latte lover, you won't find a better option than a maple pumpkin wedding cake. Entice everyone's taste buds further by adding maple syrup to the icing. Don't expect leftovers with this sweet and savory combination. 

33 of 40

Black Forest

This crowd-pleaser features layers of whipped cream and cherries between chocolate sponge cake, along with a clear German brandy called kirschwasser, which translates to cherry water. Top it with cherries, strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for an elegant touch.

34 of 40

Hazelnut Praline

Pralines are a combination of syrup, nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, or almonds), and either milk or cream. Together, these create an extra-sweet, fudge-like treat. Now, combine that with a hazelnut cake, and you've got a mouthwatering combo for your wedding confection. 

35 of 40

Hawaiian

While there are different variations of a Hawaiian wedding cake, common elements include coconut and pineapples. These ingredients give the cake a taste evocative of a piña colada—a perfect dessert for any summer or destination wedding.

 Three-tiered cake adorned with fruits and flowers

PHOTO BY AMORE VITA

36 of 40

White Chocolate Raspberry

Raspberry lovers, this scrumptious cake flavor is for you. For a decadent cake with a twist, add some raspberry filling (or chunks of raspberry) into each layer of icing.

37 of 40

Carrot and Chocolate

While it's unlikely you'll dip a carrot stick into melted chocolate, these two flavors complement each other when paired together in a baked treat. This unique wedding cake flavor is perfect for couples who desire something a little sweet and savory toward the end of their wedding.

38 of 40

Churro

Indulge in the flavors of vanilla, cinnamon sugar, and brown sugar by serving a churro cake at your reception. It's an ideal option for couples hosting their nuptials in either Spain, Portugal, or Mexico. Plus, it's a treat your guests are guaranteed to love and enjoy.

39 of 40

Matcha

While matcha's grassy, nutty flavor may not seem appealing for a wedding cake, many individuals have opted for this flavor more and more over the last few years. Plus, if green is your favorite hue, or you plan to incorporate elements of it into your color palette, consider this unusual, but popular, taste for your wedding-day dessert.

40 of 40

Funfetti

A birthday classic, serving a funfetti cake will bring an extra dose of, well, fun to your wedding day festivities. To make things a little more unique, try asking your baker to use jasmine or berry coconut-flavored cake.

Additional reporting done by Gray MacDonald

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