58 Simple + Sweet Wedding Cakes and Desserts You Can Make Yourself

Forget the fancy five-tiered affair. What's hot for weddings right now? Homemade cakes and small cake alternatives like cake pops, donuts, cinnamon rolls and more.

By: Katie Friedman, Chelsea Faulkner, and Briana Mowrey

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Tiffany-Blue Macarons With Orange Blossom Buttercream

Macarons are perfect for dressing up a dessert table, or for packaging in little boxes as wedding favors.

MAKE IT: Tiffany-Blue Macarons With Orange Blossom Buttercream Recipe

Monogram Cream Tart Cake

Monograms are highly favored on all kinds of wedding day details and decor, but there’s none sweeter than a monogram cake! This modern version is made with layers of sponge cake and buttercream frosting decorated with edible flowers and sugar pearls. It’s a lovely focal point for wedding receptions, and it’s a great way to celebrate your newly-shared last name!

MAKE IT: How to Make a Pretty, Floral Monogram Cake

Banana Pudding Parfaits

Combine layers of vanilla pudding, banana slices and wafers to create this miniature version of a Southern staple.

MAKE IT: Banana Pudding Parfait Recipe

Pink Champagne Truffles

Make your wedding toast even sweeter with pink champagne truffles. Display them in gold foil candy wrappers for extra eye appeal.

MAKE IT: Pink Champagne Truffles Recipe

Make-Ahead S'mores

For this sweet DIY, all you'll need to do is hold skewered marshmallows over a flame and then dip them into melted chocolate. Sprinkle graham cracker crust on top as a final touch. This bite-size snack will keep guests cozy and warm without a campfire.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Champagne Chantilly Shooters

These creamy custards can be made with your favorite brand of bubbly. Cheers to the happy couple!

MAKE IT: Champagne Chantilly Shooters Recipe

Sprinkled Strawberry Whoopie Pies

These pink pies are full of strawberry flavor. Tip: use gold or silver sanding sugar in place of the multicolored nonpareils for a fancier presentation.

MAKE IT: Strawberry Milk Whoopie Pies Recipe

Blackberry Wine Hand Pies

Portable hand pies are the ideal sweet treat for enjoying a dessert while mixing and mingling. This recipe makes ten servings so there’s plenty to go around. Serve with napkins — no plates required.

MAKE IT: Blackberry Wine Hand Pies

Cheese Wheel Cake With Fruit

Don't love cake? A cheese wheel "cake" makes a visually spectacular, extremely tasty offering on an hors d'oeuvre or dessert table. Choose cheese wheels in graduated sizes and with assorted textures and flavors. Stack them high and richly garnish with fresh herbs and fruit for an elegant presentation ⁠— no baking required.

Chocolate Stout Cake Pops

The surprise ingredient in these festive cake pops? Stout beer! And thanks to their bite-sized stature, you and your guests can enjoy as many of these tiny treats as you desire. Simply swap out the icing color to match your theme.

MAKE IT: Chocolate Stout Cake Pop Recipe

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

If you don't want to stray too far from the traditional wedding cake, but still want to mix things up a touch, try this fluffy chocolate-peanut butter chip cookie cake. It's baked in a 10-inch pan and piled high with marshmallows, caramel and peanut butter cups. We recommend serving it warm with a scoop of ice cream.

MAKE IT: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

From: Heather Baird

Rosé Wine Toasting Cakes

Toasting cakes are beautiful bite-sized confections infused with your favorite sparkling wine or champagne. GET THE RECIPE

Mini Vanilla Bean Donuts

Despite their small stature, these mini donuts pack a big vanilla flavor. Stack them high on a cake stand, or display them individually in pretty cupcake papers.

MAKE IT: Vanilla Bean Mini Donuts Recipe

Dipped Candy Apples

Having an autumn wedding? Set up a cozy coffee bar stocked with drawers of these mouthwatering candy-dipped apples.

MAKE IT: How to Make Candy Apples

Fancy Dipped Strawberries

These homemade dipped strawberries are simple to make and to embellish with your wedding colors or favorite sweet flavors. Learn how below!

MAKE IT: 5 Easy Ways to Make Fancy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Pecan Pralines

Homemade pecan pralines tucked into vintage teacups are an oh-so-chic way to add a little Southern flair to your wedding celebrations.

MAKE IT: Pecan Pralines Recipe

Spring Flower Lollipops

These dainty floral treats will wow guests at your spring garden wedding.

MAKE IT: How to Make Spring Flower Lollipops

Coca-Cola Cupcakes

Serve your guests a nostalgic, salty-meets-sweet treat of Coca-Cola cupcakes topped with thick peanut butter icing for a sure crowd-pleaser.

MAKE IT: Coca-Cola Cupcake With Salted Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

Breakfast Bar Idea: Cinnamon Rolls

For those having a morning ceremony, cinnamon rolls offer a timely alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Stack three large pastries with icing to create tiers, or serve several in a large dish for guests to enjoy family-style. We especially love this heart-shaped take on the classic.

DIY Donut Board

This DIY donut board is an inexpensive but memorable way to offer treats at a bridal shower or wedding reception. It's especially cute and cozy when displayed with a coffee bar during cool, crisp autumn weather.

Neopolitan Bonbon Cupcakes

Fancy chocolates make a festive topping for these Neapolitan cupcakes. For an extra-special touch, use your and your sweetheart's favorite varieties to finish off these treats.

MAKE IT: Neapolitan Bonbon Cupcakes Recipe

Go for Goal Groom's Cake

Be the hit of your next tailgate with a delightfully-unconventional cereal treat cake dripping in chocolate-dipped strawberry footballs. Simply make crispy rice treats following the directions on the box, in three different-sized square pans. When cool, stack on top of one another, using chocolate buttercream as "glue" between the layers. To make the football strawberries, dip berries in melted chocolate, freeze, then draw on the "laces" with piped white chocolate.

MORE: 15 Totally Unique Ideas for Your Groom's Cake

Piña Colada Tartlets

This easy recipe will transport party guests to a tropical state of mind, no matter the season. Use ready-made pastry shells to shortcut the prep time.

MAKE IT: Piña Colada Tartlets

Enchanting Rose Garden Cupcakes

Now, wouldn't these be perfect for a garden wedding? Display them on a cake stand or display them on the dessert table with pretty paper doilies underneath.

Fluffy Homemade Waffles or Crepes

Waffles and crepes are another top choice for trendy brunch receptions. Fill mason jars with an assortment of fruit and syrup to give your guests plenty of topping options.

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tarts

These bite-size nibbles are the perfect light ending to a heavy meal. Glaze the mini tarts with leftover Champagne or sparkling wine for a sweet finishing touch.

MAKE IT: Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tart Recipe

Rose Swirl Vanilla Bean Cookies

These vanilla bean sugar cookies would be a delicious addition to any dessert table. Adorned with swirls of pink cream cheese frosting, they'll easily complement the beautiful roses in your bridal bouquet.

MAKE IT: Rose Swirl Vanilla Bean Cookies Recipe

Cookies + Milk

Much like you and your signifcant other, there's no sweeter combination than cookies and milk. Bundle two or three of your favorite cookies with string and serve with shot glasses of ice-cold milk.

Mini Rum Bundt Cakes

Celebrate a winter wedding? A tasty aged-rum-and-butter glaze is brushed onto these fresh bundt cakes while a cinnamon hard sauce and cranberries top the festive treats.

MAKE IT: Mini Rum Bundt Cakes With Butter-Rum Glaze

Poured Fondant Honey Cupcakes With Chocolate "Wax" Seals

Your big day is all about the details, including dessert! Personalize your wedding even more with cupcakes that feature chocolate "wax" seals.

MAKE IT: Poured Fondant Honey Cupcakes with Chocolate "Wax" Seals Recipe

Raspberry Mousse-Filled Chocolate Cookie Shots

These chocolate cookie shot glasses make such a fun treat for kids and adults alike. You can fill them with candy, milk — most anything — but you can’t go wrong with our raspberry mousse filling. Find the required cookie shot glass pan at kitchen supply stores or online.

MAKE IT: Raspberry Mousse-Filled Chocolate Cookie Shots

Cheesecake Cones

Cheesecake cones will bring unexpected fun and flair to your formal affair. Tip: Use nonpareils in your wedding colors for a polished presentation.

MAKE IT: Cheesecake Cones Recipe

Mini Floral Naked Cakes

Currently trending for this year's weddings? Naked cakes. Simple and sweet, these scrumptious desserts are as easy to make as they are pretty.

MAKE IT: How to Make Perfect Mini Naked Cakes

Dark Chocolate Stout Mini Pie

These delicious and adorable mini pies combine the flavors of stout beer and Irish cream liqueur for a taste your guests won't soon forget. The best part? You can bake them in a cupcake pan!

MAKE IT: Dark Chocolate Stout Mini Pie Recipe

Boozy, Oven-Baked S'mores

These spiked s'mores are just the thing for cool-weather event, with or without a campfire.

MAKE IT: Make Boozy, Oven-Baked S'mores for a Grown-Up Treat

Jeweled Truffles

These homemade morsels are almost too pretty to eat (read: almost). The jeweled effect is achieved by rolling the truffles in glittering, pink sugar pearls.

MAKE IT: Bejeweled Truffle Recipe

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Delicate and decadent, these buttery cookies are a must-have for wedding menus this year. After all, they do have the word "wedding" in their name.

MAKE IT: Mexican Wedding Cookies

Edible Flowers

Bring your bouquet to the dessert table with our easy floral piping technique. Adding a decorative touch to your desserts is now as easy as having a piping bag and piping tip. Learn four, beginner-friendly techniques from the tutorial below.

MAKE IT: Kitchen Crafts: How to Pipe the Prettiest Cupcakes

Chocolate-Caramel Kettle Chips

The perfect combination of salty and sweet, these chocolate-caramel treats are truly irresistible.

MAKE IT: Chocolate-Dipped Kettle Chips Recipe

Portable Banana Pudding Bags

Beloved by kids of all ages, these clever, portable banana puddings are ideal for your summer wedding. GET THE RECIPE

DIY Wedding Cake

While making your own wedding cake sounds like a daunting task, there's no need to stress. Even the simplest home-baked confection can look professional with these beautiful, edible blossoms.

MAKE IT: How to Make a Wedding Cake

Homemade Maple Nut Toffee Holiday Gift

Take the traditional taste of toffee up a notch with the addition of real maple syrup. Topped with a layer of semisweet chocolate, this toffee is so irresistible that you'll be tempted to keep it all for yourself.

MAKE IT: Homemade Maple Nut Toffee Recipe

From: Sam Henderson

Portable Ice Cream Sundaes

Portable sundaes in jars are the perfect hand-held treat. Mix-and-match your favorite ice cream and toppings ahead of time, then store the lidded jars in the freezer till it's time to party. Homemade caramel and chocolate sauces make these extra-indulgent, and they’re a quick fix with our simple recipes. Add colorful squares of fabric to the jars' lids to match the season and occasion.

MAKE IT: Crowd-Pleasing Portable Ice Cream Sundaes

Petit Fours

A petit four is a small, bite-sized dessert ideal for any party theme or get-together. Here, pretty pink fondant is poured over delicious, raspberry-jam cake squares and embellished with a glittery fondant daisy.

MAKE IT: Poured Fondant Petit Fours Recipe

Golden, Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows

These dipped marshmallows make a fun fall or winter wedding treat for your guests. Offer them with a hot chocolate bar if the weather on your special day is cool and crisp.

Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream

Cake, shmake. We want ice cream! Especially if it's this creamy peanut butter cookie concoction.

MAKE IT: Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream Recipe

From: Chrissy Barua

Groom's Cake Idea: Waffle Stack Cake

An extra-tall stack of Belgian waffles will fulfill the dreams of any breakfast fanatic, and it’s easy enough for your caterer (or a trusted bridesmaid) to DIY. Serve it with creamy European style butter and real maple syrup on the side.

MORE: 15 Totally Unique Ideas for Your Groom's Cake

Sliders + Shakes

After a night of drinking and dancing with your closest friends, send your guests home with a memorable midnight snack: mini burgers and milkshakes. Serve shakes in classic chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavors, and pair with beef and veggie burgers to satisfy even the pickiest palate.

Extra-Stout Chocolate Pudding

Cheers to the newlyweds with this rich, beer-infused treat, featuring the complex flavors of Ireland's favorite brew.

MAKE IT: Chocolate Stout Pudding Recipe

Mixed Desserts

Can't pick just one? Mix and match you and your S.O's favorite treats for a one-of-a-kind dessert bar that your guests will visit over and over.

S'More Kits

S’mores are easy and budget-friendly desserts that are perfect for a wedding any time of the year. Combine the classic s'more ingredients of a marshmallow and chocolate bar sandwiched between two graham crackers and place in a cellophane bag for a treat your guests are sure to love.

See More Photos: 19 Easy, Creative Recipes & DIYs for S'mores Lovers

Cotton Candy

A crowd-pleasing sweet treat — no baking required. Buy cotton candy in bulk and divide into cellophane bags. Pin to a line with a sweet note to let guests know the bags are theirs for the taking.

Boozy Cherry Bomb Brownies

Top brownies with vodka-infused chocolate buttercream frosting and a boozy cherry for a grown-up twist on a classic treat.

MAKE IT: Boozy Cherry Bomb Brownies

Pear and Fig Tart-in-a-Jar

Fruit-and-cream tarts are easy enough for novice chefs to make, thanks to store-bought pie crust and simple filling recipes. Make the components up to two days ahead of your event, then just assemble the morning of the wedding.

MAKE IT: Pear and Fig Tart in a Jar Recipe

Pink Coconut Snoball Cakelettes

These bite-sized cakelettes are a miniature take on a childhood favorite. Mini cakes are dipped in pink-hued syrup and then rolled in coconut for a tropical, sweet treat.

MAKE IT: Pink Snowball Cakelettes Recipe

Chocolate Panna Cotta Shooters

These sweet and chic chocolate panna cotta shooters would pair well with a New Year's Eve wedding. Your guests will love each unexpected layer and the martini glass it comes in.

MAKE IT: Chocolate Panna Cotta Recipe

Pie Pops

These delicious apple pie bites are ideal for a country-inspired summer wedding.

MAKE IT: Pie Pops Recipe

Ice Cube Tray Chocolates

Dark chocolate and orange make a perfect pair. These simple chocolates are better than any boxed version and can be made easily in ice cube trays.

MAKE IT: How to Make Ice Cube Tray Orange Buttercream Chocolates

From: Sam Henderson

58 Simple + Sweet Wedding Cakes and Desserts You Can Make Yourself

Related To:

Shop This Look

Tiffany-Blue Macarons With Orange Blossom Buttercream

Monogram Cream Tart Cake

Banana Pudding Parfaits

Pink Champagne Truffles

Make-Ahead S'mores

Champagne Chantilly Shooters

Sprinkled Strawberry Whoopie Pies

Blackberry Wine Hand Pies

Cheese Wheel Cake With Fruit

Chocolate Stout Cake Pops

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Rosé Wine Toasting Cakes

Mini Vanilla Bean Donuts

Dipped Candy Apples

Fancy Dipped Strawberries

Pecan Pralines

Spring Flower Lollipops

Coca-Cola Cupcakes

Breakfast Bar Idea: Cinnamon Rolls

DIY Donut Board

Neopolitan Bonbon Cupcakes

Go for Goal Groom's Cake

Piña Colada Tartlets

Enchanting Rose Garden Cupcakes

Fluffy Homemade Waffles or Crepes

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tarts

Rose Swirl Vanilla Bean Cookies

Cookies + Milk

Mini Rum Bundt Cakes

Poured Fondant Honey Cupcakes With Chocolate "Wax" Seals

Raspberry Mousse-Filled Chocolate Cookie Shots

Cheesecake Cones

Mini Floral Naked Cakes

Dark Chocolate Stout Mini Pie

Boozy, Oven-Baked S'mores

Jeweled Truffles

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Edible Flowers

Chocolate-Caramel Kettle Chips

Portable Banana Pudding Bags

DIY Wedding Cake

Homemade Maple Nut Toffee Holiday Gift

Portable Ice Cream Sundaes

Petit Fours

Golden, Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows

Peanut Butter Cookie Ice Cream

Groom's Cake Idea: Waffle Stack Cake

Sliders + Shakes

Extra-Stout Chocolate Pudding

Mixed Desserts

S'More Kits

Cotton Candy

Boozy Cherry Bomb Brownies

Pear and Fig Tart-in-a-Jar

Pink Coconut Snoball Cakelettes

Chocolate Panna Cotta Shooters

Pie Pops

Ice Cube Tray Chocolates

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