Not every wedding cake has to be a three-tiered, fondant-covered elaborate masterpiece that costs somewhere between a new TV and a used car. We can understand if your cake isn’t the priority of your budget, or you don’t want something that traditional or ostentatious. We understand less if you just don’t like cake, but we’ll try not to judge. If having something like wedding cake sparklers is important to you, you need something sturdy to support them. Anyway, it’s your reception. If you’re not feeling the norm, there are plenty of fun non-traditional wedding cakes to consider. Here are a few:
Rice Krispies Treats
Do you know anyone who doesn’t like Rice Krispies treats? If so, you’d better check and make sure they’re not an alien from another planet, sent down to observe our human customs before assimilating us all. When made properly, Rice Krispies treats are pure gooey, crunchy joy. Some cake makers use the treats to make sculptural elements on an elaborate cake, but we say make the entire thing out of Rice Krispies treats. They’re a natural replacement for cake, because like cake, they get even better when frosted.
Cake Pops
Maybe the problem with cake isn’t the cake itself, per se; maybe it’s just ease of use and portion control you’re worried about. In that case, cake pops are the way to go. They’re a little serving (okay, maybe a half serving, so make sure there are lots available) of frosted cake on a stick, perfect for grabbing and nibbling without getting too far from the dance floor. This barely made our list of non-traditional wedding cakes, but it was too good to pass up.
Pies
If you really are one of those anti-cake people–or if you just want to bring a down-home deliciousness to your dessert selection–consider a selection of pies. You can put a different pie at each table, and encourage tables to negotiate and trade pie between each other. It’s a fun and tasty way to get your guests all talking to each other. Plus, it sets the standard for non-traditional wedding cakes.
Cheesecake
If you’re just not a dessert person, you can still have a multi-tiered cake display, and one that incorporates a visual pun, to boot. We’re talking a cheese cake, not a cheesecake–wheels of cheese stacked atop one another and decorated like a wedding cake. Serve with an assortment of fruits and crackers and watch your guests go crazy for it. Plus, you can still add a few sparklers because it’s sturdy enough to support them.
Sundae bar
You know one problem with a wedding cake? It’s not very customizable. If the wedding couple chooses blueberry filling and you hate blueberries, you’re out of luck. Not so with a sundae bar. Your guests will be able to pick the just-right personalized blend of candy toppings, fruits, nuts, and sauces. You can visit a pay-by-weight yogurt place beforehand to get an idea of what toppings to provide, then lay them all out and let your guests go crazy with them.
Jell-O Tower – The Ultimate in Non-Traditional Wedding Cakes
You know, as a grown adult, it’s been way too long since I had Jell-O. And not just a bowl of cubes, either; the best Jell-O always came out of some sort of mold, so it looked as good as it tasted. Brides and grooms are starting to catch on to the beauty of Jell-O. Not surprisingly, it’s enjoying a bump in popularity as a reception dessert choice. The really cool kids are making Jell-O towers–big displays of individual-serving molded Jell-O, with lights on the inside to turn the whole thing into a decoration feature. It makes for one of the best non-traditional wedding cakes out there.
Let’s be clear on one thing: we love cake. We’ve had delicious confections in the past and hope to have more in the future. But we understand that it isn’t for everyone. Some people are not adventurous enough to choose an unusual or exotic wedding cake option.We hope the anti-cake faction will find plenty to delight them in the non-traditional wedding cakes listed above.
