35 Unique Wedding Cake Flavors to Consider

four one-tier wedding cakes on individual cake stands — PHOTO BY MORNINGWILD PHOTOGRAPHY, CAKE BY Hayes Barton Café

Though you might be focusing your attention on classic cake flavors, like vanilla, strawberry, lemon, chocolate, and vanilla buttercream, wedding confections have ascended to new heights over the past few years. Gone are the days when traditional cake flavors run supreme, as unique flavors are now a dominant trend in the wedding dessert world. "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 for her clients.

"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," de Lung 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 you ask yourselves, as a couple, if any tastes hold special meaning to your relationship and see if a baker can create something unique.

Meet the Expert

Jasmine de Lung is a cake artist with over 15 years of experience creating bespoke confectionary masterpieces. She is the owner of San Francisco-based Jasmine Rae Cakes and teaches workshops on the art of cake design.

For those who are a little daring or want a cake as distinctive as their love story, we've rounded up 35 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

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Peanut Butter Cup

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

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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 big on the Grand Marnier, any type of brandy can also be used to amplify the flavor of a wedding cake.

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Chocolate Chai

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

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Sultry Chocolate

Here's the breakdown of this sexy little number: dark chocolate cake, cabernet curd, fresh raspberries, and French buttercream. If you're feeling extra adventurous, de Lung recommends pairing 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."

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Blueberry Burst

Consider this an ode to New England summers. A blueberry-buttermilk cake with blueberry jam filling practically burst with the taste of freshly 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

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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," explains de Lung. "So be sure to use an inherently moist cake recipe."

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Strawberry Champagne

Keeping with the more sensual side of wedding cake flavors, these flavor profiles are sure to elevate any mood. How? Well, a dark chocolate raspberry cake is quite scintillating to the senses. Now combine it with a layer of strawberry champagne cake and you've got the most romantic confection in town.

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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 NOLA flavors into your wedding dessert by combining a butter cake with a caramel and banana filling, plus rum and cinnamon.

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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," advises de Lung. "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.

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Luscious Lemon

"Did you say Meyer lemon?" asks de Lung. "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

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Coffee Cream

Try a chocolate cake topped with coffee buttercream for a buzzworthy dessert. Incorporate a coffee meringue buttercream, espresso Kahlua ganache, and hazelnut mousse all atop a chocolate torte.

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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.

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Salted Caramel

"Salted caramel" honestly doesn't do this combination justice. Think: Vanilla-bean-browned-butter cake (drool), 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.

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Cakes

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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 when hosting a bevy of picky eaters. Or, opt for a white velvet cake by omitting the traditional red dye to up the visual ante.

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Chocolate and Vanilla Swirl

Ah, the taste of every childhood memory. However, 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," says de Lung.

Colorful three-tier cake with honey lavender buttercream filling — PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

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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—trust us.

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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 cake, add marshmallows, and top with vanilla buttercream and you've got a stack that rivals even the most professional s'more construction.

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Caramel Apple

Did that send you spiraling into a delicious rabbit hole of autumnal reveries? If your nuptials are scheduled for the fall and all of its scrumptious splendor, we recommend you take note: An apple spice cake with roasted apples, brown sugar mousse, topped with caramel buttercream. Now all you need is the matching rustic venue.

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Tea-Infused

That's right, we're spilling all the tea on this one. 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 explains. "I might also recommend introducing something with texture, but still delicate in flavor, like sliced almonds."

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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

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Key Lime

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

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Blackberry Elderflower

A touch of whimsy can go a long way in wedding choices. Take a blackberry and elderflower sponge cake, for example. It presents a far more airy dynamic to the grounded richness of other wedding cake flavors. Add cascading fresh fruit and you've got pure poetry.

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Ginger Spice

For those of you who like ginger and spice and everything nice, a punchy ginger spice cake is ideal for any autumnal fêtes. Pair 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.

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Fragrant Cardamom

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

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Carrot and Brown Butter

All hail the homiest of cakes. Traditionally overshadowed in the wedding space by its more posh counterparts, this familiar favorite has been making quite the resurgence. The comforting carrot cake of old gets a substantial glow-up thanks to the addition of punchy spices like cinnamon and cardamom, as well as an injection of nutty brown butter components.

wedding cake with lavender and greenery — Photo by One Love Photography

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Olive Oil and Rosemary

For more homespun, cottagecore wedding cake flavors, or just a Mediterranean vibe in general, look no further than the olive oil cake. A vanilla rosemary olive oil cake is oh-so herbaceous and surprisingly sophisticated on the palette. Lighten things up with lemon, raspberry, and ricotta flavors for a dash of freshness. You can also swap the lemon for blood orange to substitute more sweetness.

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Maple Pumpkin

For the fall bride (or groom!) who is always in a pumpkin-spiced latte state of mind, 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.

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Black Forest

A popular cake for any occasion, so why not feature it during your wedding? 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, or even strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for an elegant touch.

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Hazelnut Praline

If you haven't had a praline, here's a quick lesson. 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.

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Hawaiian

You might be wondering what exactly makes up a Hawaiian wedding cake. There are different variations, but common elements include coconut and pineapples. This combo of ingredients gives 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

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White Chocolate Raspberry

Raspberry lovers, this scrumptious cake flavor is for you. For a fanciful cake with a twist, add some raspberry filling (or chunks of raspberry) mixed in with each layer of icing. Additionally, the white chocolate will lend some chocolate goodness to your icing.

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Carrot and Chocolate

While you likely wouldn't dip a carrot stick into melted chocolate, these two flavors actually complement each other well when paired together in a cake. It's also perfect for couples who desire something a little sweet and savory towards the end of their wedding.

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Churro

Get all the warm flavors of vanilla, cinnamon sugar, and brown sugar by serving a churro cake at your reception. It's a lovely confection for couples hosting their nuptials in either Spain, Portugal, or Mexico, and a treat your guests will love and enjoy.

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Matcha

While matcha's grassy, nutty flavor doesn't 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 green elements in your color palette, consider this unusual, but popular, taste for your wedding day dessert.

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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.

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35 Unique Wedding Cake Flavors to Consider for Your Big Day