7 of the Most Popular Wedding Cake Flavors, According to Bakers

Sawyer Baird

Having a hard time deciding what flavor wedding cake to serve at your reception? You're not alone. So many couples struggle to make this big dessert decision. To help make it easier, we asked four cake bakers from around the country to share the flavors they are most frequently asked to make for brides and grooms.

WEDDING CAKE FLAVORS YOU HAVEN'T TRIED YET

Vanilla

Surprised? A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, classic vanilla cake is a go-to option for many brides and grooms. The deliciously simple flavor works well with nearly any type of frosting and filling. But, according to Jennifer Toce, owner of Birchgrove Baking in Montpelier, Vermont, "We get quite a few requests for vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. It's a classic for a reason!"

Chocolate

As a richer alternative to vanilla, chocolate cake also reigns supreme at weddings. The indulgent dessert is often complemented with buttercream, caramel, or raspberry. In fact, Toce says that chocolate cake with raspberry mousse is easily their most requested delicacy. Variations of chocolate cake, including dark chocolate and German chocolate, also share the spotlight.

Funfetti

Lisa Lundin, head baker and cake artist at Just Desserts Bakery and Cafe in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, says funfetti has drastically risen in popularity. The colorful cake is characterized by its abundance of sprinkles, which are mixed into the batter prior to baking. Betsy Thorleifson, owner of Nine Cakes in Brooklyn, New York, credits funfetti's popularity to its inherent fun factor. "It's truly fun and always brings out smiles!" she says.

Lemon

A zesty and tangy confection, lemon cake takes center stage at many warm-weather weddings, since the flavor comes across as tartly refreshing. Lemon cake goes well with lemon frosting, vanilla buttercream, raspberry filling, or fresh berries. What's more, Lundin says it pairs nicely with mousse fillings.

Spice Cakes

Comforting and festive flavors are highly requested during the cold months. Nellie Metcalf, owner of Nellies Custom Cakes in Claycomo, Missouri, says she sees many orders for carrot and spice cakes during this time of year. Toce agrees, adding that her most popular flavor during the cold-weather months is cinnamon spice cake with maple buttercream.

Rich Flavors

In their search for hearty and heavy cakes, many couples marrying in the fall or winter choose rich cakes with bold flavors. Thorleifson says her hazelnut cake with salted caramel and dark chocolate is popular with couples looking for something unique. A similarly rich option is red velvet cake, which is often paired with cream cheese frosting.

Almond

Thanks in part to its versatility and sweet flavor, almond cake shows up on big-day dessert spreads everywhere. Toce gets frequent requests for almond cake with salted caramel and caramel buttercream, while Metcalf's customers prefer a lemon and blueberry filling. Thorleifson chooses to switch things up by offering almond pear cake with a hint of cardamom.