Here Comes the Bride… And the Cake

One of the most important decisions in wedding planning is often selecting the wedding cake flavor. Traditionally, perennial favorites like chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake reign supreme. However, as the world comes out on the other side of COVID, decadent and unique flavors are making their way into the mainstream, helping brides and grooms capture the specialness of their day.

Chocolate is going darker and deeper than in years past. According to Phil DeWester, senior director of category marketing for Dawn Foods, couples will take a classic flavor and reimagine it in an indulgent way. “This trend toward flavor indulgence is significant for chocolate cakes,“ DeWester said, adding that chocolate cake and cupcakes continue to be the top flavor among all cake flavors (source: Nielsen, POS Sweet Bakery), and that chocolate is projected to grow at a steady rate into 2025 (Source: Datassential MenuTrends/Flavor, April 2020).

DeWester said, “This wedding season, chocolate cakes will be darker and richer than ever before, with ingredients like black cocoa powder, activated charcoal and richer fudge.”

In the US, strawberries are showing in strong force. As one of the first fruits to ripen in the summer schedule, strawberries are the perfect pink addition to baked goods for the early months of wedding season. Pairing well with both vanilla and chocolate, this fruit can add a touch of flavor and seasonality to otherwise basic cake choices.

Gone are the days of five-tier wedding cakes. Today’s cakes trend toward smaller cakes that reflect the more intimate gatherings people are having this year. According to research from Dawn Food’s Latin America Market Research and Insights Team, one-tier and individual cakes will be popular in 2021.* The single-tier cakes allow for the traditional sharing of a slice, while individual cakes give guests the chance to have their own cake, even choosing their own flavors and designs depending on the variety offered by the bride and groom.

According to experts at The Knot, traditions are taking on more meaning in 2021. In their article, “These 2021 Wedding Cake Trends Are Unlike Anything We've Seen Before,” cake trends in 2021 are all about intentionality, “especially since a smaller wedding allows the couple to experiment heavily on the details. One way to make an unforgettable statement is with the cake.” What does this intentionality look like? It starts with giving bakers an opportunity to get to know their customer and show their creativity. It could be recreating the bride’s favorite flowers as sugar flowers to top the cake, or infusing flavors from their favorite vacation destination. In a time when people are appreciating family and relationships more than ever, creating cakes that reflect those connections gives bakers a way to shine.

Just as flavors are taking on more decadent profiles, decorations are also embracing sophistication. In the same The Knot article, custom art is identified as a major trend expected to be everywhere (and on plenty of cakes). "Hand-painted art, as well as edible printed patterns inspired by textiles, will be a trend we continue to see.” This gives bakers an opportunity to flex their decorating muscle and showcase talents that may often go unexpressed during the off season.

For many bakers, the reduced business of 2020 meant time to experiment with new techniques and now is the time to let that work pay off. "Texture is still on the rise, as is the use of wafer paper for flowers, abstract paper-y shapes and edible fabric draping,” echoed The Knot.

While decadence is trending, its counterpart – minimalism – is also making a comeback. Items like naked cakes and minimally decorated cakes are having a moment this season. Monochromatic color schemes are popular, as is decorations that feature one impactful item, like lavender, other herbs, or the same flower used to punctuate the decoration. If going the minimalist route, it’s important that whatever direction you choose, you make it matter. Use herbs or flowers that do double duty of not only looking beautiful but smelling amazing as well. Also choose single colors that provide impact while connecting to the larger theme of the event. And if a naked cake is the bride’s choice, develop a table scape that showcases the simple, straightforward beauty of the cake.