Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Reception Ideas Wedding Cakes & Toppers 28 Chocolate Wedding Cakes That Made Guests Ask for Seconds From mini cupcakes to show-stopping chocolate cake masterpieces, these cocoa confections really brought the flavor. By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines and Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould Wendy Rose Gould is a veteran freelance lifestyle reporter based in Phoenix, Ariz. with over 10 years of experience. She covers home, wellness, beauty, and travel for outlets such as Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Insider, TODAY, Bustle, TripSavvy, The Zoe Report, and others. Whether ruminating about interior design with the influential leaders in the industry, on the ground at NYFW talking trends with beauty and fashion pros, or venturing to a new corner of the world, she’s always eager to report on the latest and greatest. Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 15, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: M2 Photo Your wedding cake doesn't have to be vanilla—and we mean that in both the literal and metaphorical sense. Although vanilla is often associated with weddings, chocolate offers guests a decadent dessert and serves as an unexpected addition to your wedding day. And when you take the plunge and opt for a full-blown chocolate cake—complete with rich frosting and fondant—your guests will surely come back for seconds. In our search for chocolatey inspiration, we turned to real couples who decided to break the vanilla bean mold. From dark chocolate masterpieces topped with juicy berries to milk cocoa creations covered in sugar flowers, there's a rich, stunning cake here to satisfy everyone's taste buds. However you decide to incorporate cocoa on your big day, one thing is certain: Your guests will thank you for it. 29 New Takes on Traditional Wedding Cake Flavors 01 of 28 Mocha Buttercream Anna Kardos This two-tier golden-hued wedding cake, baked by the team at the The Inn at Fernbrook Farms, offered a delightful surprise once it was cut: a chocolate cake interior complete with luxurious chocolate mousse. It was iced in a beautiful and decadent mocha buttercream. 02 of 28 Chocolate Banana Walnut Claud Nine Photography If you're breaking the wedding cake mold entirely, consider taking your cue from this couple. They asked Hey There, Cupcake! to bake them a four-tiered banana walnut cake frosted in chocolate. 03 of 28 Red Velvet Charla Storey Photography True chocolate lovers know that red velvet cake is just a play on chocolate, which makes this maroon-hued flavor perfect for the cocoa connoisseur. Take a note from Elsie's Flour Shop and play up the pretty color by adding sugar flowers in both matching and contrasting hues. 04 of 28 Mini Katie Grant Photography When serving mini cakes to each wedding guest, it doesn't hurt to have a dark chocolate option. These lightly-frosted beauties, topped with bright pink blooms, are yours for the replicating. 48 Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence 05 of 28 Sew Delicious Krista Mason Photography Looking for a way to meld your love for chocolate with your betrothed's love for vanilla? This cake literally weaves both flavors together, in the form of "stitched" fondant. How pretty is that tropical palm leaf illustration? It perfectly connects the cake to the leafy dessert table. 06 of 28 Blackberries and Honey Jeff Brummett Visuals This cocoa confection marries two cake trends—naked and drip cakes—in the prettiest of ways. Guests won't be able to turn down the gooey honey drip, juicy blackberries, and gold leaf accents. 07 of 28 Sweet Quote Free Hope Photography Make your chocolate cake even sweeter by dressing it up with your relationship's motto, like this confection by Lesley Bodwell of Frost It Cakery. 08 of 28 True Chocolate Honey Gem Creative Frosted to perfection, this chocolate cake looks even better thanks to a sparkly gold topper flashing the couple's new titles. The colorful floral clustered adds a little extra flair. 09 of 28 Cocoa-Themed Andrielle Photography Copy this couple and turn your dessert table into a cocoa extravaganza. A dark chocolate wedding cake, dressed up with gold leaf and burgundy blooms, is only the beginning—mini cakes topped with marshmallow frosting and chocolate-covered cherries are the yummiest supporting players. 29 New Takes on Traditional Wedding Cake Flavors 10 of 28 Silver Leaf Steven Leyva Photography Patches of silver foil add to the reflective shine of this fudgy confection—but the pearl-studded sugar bloom is the focal point. 11 of 28 Adorned Naked Cake Cassie Rosch Don't be afraid to dress up your chocolate naked cake. This one, which is lightly coated with peanut butter frosting, is topped with an assortment of bold flowers, like just-blooming peonies, roses, and lupine. 12 of 28 Party on the Inside Danielle Coons Photography Want to keep things classic on the outside, but go bold on the inside? Consider wrapping your chocolatey confection in creamy fondant for that crisp, wedding white look. 13 of 28 Pistachio Cassie Jones Crushed pistachios bring a salty nuttiness and enticing crunch to a classic chocolate confection. 14 of 28 Black and White Cookies Danfredo Photos+Films Love vanilla and chocolate equally, but don't feel like a traditional wedding cake fits your vibe as a couple? Take a hint from this smart duo, who arranged a tower of black-and-white cookies into a cake shape. Wedding Cake Alternatives for the Couple Who Just Doesn't Like Cake 15 of 28 Winter Wonderland Sunglow Photography If you were wondering how to make a chocolate cake winter-ready, look no further than this loaded dessert, complete wintry berries and seasonal poinsettias. 16 of 28 Purple and Peach Whitney Nichols Photography Drizzled in thick fudge, coral and lavender-hued sugar flowers and eucalyptus lighten this cake's color palette. 17 of 28 Crystal and Metal Twin Lens Weddings A dark chocolate tier brings this metallic creation together. 25 Wedding Cake Ideas That'll Wow Your Guests 18 of 28 Chocolate Leaves Jenna McElroy Photography Every tier of this simple chocolate cake gets a natural upgrade thanks to gold and green leaves. 19 of 28 Frosted Bundt Steve Cowell Photography For couples planning casual nuptials, skipping the standard multi-tiered dessert might feel like the right choice. You really can't go wrong—especially with a cake like this cream-cheese frosted chocolate-chip Bundt, baked by Creative Cakery. 20 of 28 Slate Blue Charla Storey Photography There's no rule that says colorful fondant can only work over white cake. This beauty, created by Layered Bake Shop, is a great example. Underneath the bluish-gray fondant, marble cake and chocolate filling awaits. 21 of 28 Berry Drip Heather Waraksa Luckybird Bakery's chocolate ganache icing transforms a strawberry and vanilla confection into something any cocoa-lover would adore. 22 of 28 One Tier Mint Bri Cibene Photography This dark chocolate and mint creation proves that, while cocoa can stand alone, adding in a cooling flavor (and pretty gold flecks!) won't hurt. 23 of 28 Black and Gold Julie Paisley Photography Patty Cakes' gold-painted cake, dripped in fudge and adorned with gold leaf and fresh blooms, is the ultimate small-confection inspiration. 24 of 28 Buttercream and Beer Stephen Kent Johnson This cake gets its moisture from butter, yogurt, and stout—though craft beer fans can customize with local chocolate-friendly brews. 25 of 28 True Chocolate Chris Court With layers of chocolate cake and a milk chocolate frosting, this dessert is every chocolate lover's dream. 26 of 28 Choco-Coco Johnny Miller An adult version of Snoballs, a favorite childhood treat, these mini coconut cakes are sure to please both the younger and older crowds at your reception. 26 Mini Wedding Cakes That Are Beyond Adorable 27 of 28 Chocolate Spice Romulo Yanes Dark-chocolate buttercream spiked with chili powder gives this sweet a spicy kick. 28 of 28 Éclair Mike Krautter Photography This fresh take on chocolate cake looks (and tastes!) just like your favorite pastry. And yes, it tastes just as delicious! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit