25 of Our Favourite Naked Wedding Cakes
Author: Emily Perry
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Naked wedding cakes are becoming more and more popular at weddings, as they stand out with their simple design and minimal frosting outer layer. A semi-naked wedding cake is also a great addition to any wedding day as the perfect dessert. These cakes are all about the flavors as naked cakes will focus on the buttercream filling and remain an unfrosted cake on the outside. They can also be created in many different sizes, perfect for an intimate wedding or a larger wedding. The decorations on the cake can also be unique to the couple on their special day and add those finishing touches that blend with the theme of the day.
Looking for more ways to transform your wedding? Have a read of our 75 Easy and Creative DIY Wedding Decoration Ideas and 25 Inventive DIY Wedding Arch Ideas for more inspiration.
What Is a Naked Cake?
Definition – A naked cake is a cake baked with layers of sponge with a good amount of filling which adds flavor and moisture to the cake. There is little to no fondant icing on the outside of the cake layers. This is slightly different from the traditional wedding cake which can be a stacked cake with an outer layer of buttercream over the sponge.
Decorations for a Naked Wedding Cake
A Rustic Llama Cake
A rustic and llama-themed semi-naked wedding cake. Decorating your cake can be a great way to add character and fun to the cake. Three tiers will also ensure your guests don’t go hungry.
A Buttercream Tower
A traditional coloured wedding cake with cream roses. Lots of tiers to create height and feed a large wedding party. The green foliage and silver cake stand gives this cake an extra level of sophistication.
A Spring Wedding Cake
Decorated with fresh fruit, including, berries, passion fruit and physalis. A lovely choice for a spring wedding cake. The style of this cake will perfectly complement the big day.
A Floral Semi-Naked Cake
A gorgeous floral semi-naked wedding cake with two tiers and fresh flowers. Why not source a local florist for a bit of extra decoration or inspiration? A small amount of vanilla buttercream can create the perfect backdrop for a floral design.
Rose Gold and Fresh Flowers
Rose gold finishing touches can also be a great way to decorate a naked cake. A dessert made more glamorous with flowers and ribbon for a special day.
The Green Foliage Cake
Another thought for inspiration could be your wedding theme colour choice. Why not choose one tier to cover with a very thin layer of buttercream in the colour of your choice? The cake can remain naked on the top and covered with any fruit, flowers, or decoration of your choice.
A Floral Semi-Naked Cake
The season could also help with picking a floral theme for your buttercream bake. Bakers are usually happy to work with a florist to incorporate your theme throughout the day and ensure the taste is delicious.
Autumnal Naked Cake
A naked wedding cake with all the trimmings and adding fruit to a plain sponge can be the perfect touch to add that seasonal theme. Leaves can also add an autumnal theme to a naked wedding cake. Fresh strawberries and powdered sugar can help to keep the rustic theme throughout.
Floral Inspiration
Exploring the use of floral arrangements on a semi-naked wedding cake can be the perfect way to find inspiration for your wedding day cake. The style needs to reflect you and your partner’s special day so investigate decorations involving your flower choice for some new inspiration.
Elegant Floral Design
Simple but elegant foliage can be the perfect way to decorate your naked wedding cake. It adds a touch of nature without overpowering the simplicity of the dessert. A simple and sweet design.
Christmas Naked Cake
Christmas can also be a great time to bring out the naked wedding cakes. There are many different options for decoration and the design of the bake will make the big day a glamourous occasion with a seasonal twist.
The Perfect Flavours for a Naked Cake
Double chocolate, white chocolate, passion fruit and vanilla bean
Don’t forget about the taste of the cake layers! It can be great to focus on the minimalist appeal of the decoration, but the flavour can make all the difference. This cake was made with flavours of double chocolate, white chocolate, passion fruit and vanilla bean. If this wasn’t enough, the naked wedding cake was also topped with sweet edible flowers.
Spring Semi-Naked Cake
Why not incorporate all the flavours into your semi-naked wedding cake? This naked cake has flavours of carrot, and chocolate and is made with a classic victoria sponge. Fresh flowers also add an elegant final touch.
Edible Flowers and Fresh Fruit
If going for a vanilla buttercream cake, why not add flavour with fresh fruits and edible flowers? This will ensure the cake tastes flavourful and remains filling whilst also looking sweet for the big day.
A Mix of Flavour and Jackdaniels
Another combination of flavour with Jack Daniels and fudge, Chocolate orange with Cointreau, lemon and Limoncello flavours. This one should pass the taste test with your guests.
Chocolate Semi-Naked Cake
Your naked wedding cakes don’t have to be vanilla, a chocolate cake could be the perfect choice for you and your partner. Chocolate ganache? chocolate sponge? the chocolate cake could also create a nice backdrop for any external decoration.
A White Rose Dream
Sophisticated and delicious! A three-tier cake made with Victoria sponge, lemon sponge and chocolate sponge for the tiers. Finished off with buttercream in a naked finish. Stunning.
Swiss Meringue Buttercream
The countryside is another great setting for a lovely rustic cake. Tiers of vanilla, lemon and raspberry ripple sponges with raspberry jam, lemon curd and silky Swiss Meringue Buttercream. A great choice of flavour for a lovely wedding cake.
How to Display the Naked Wedding Cake
The Pedestal Cake
Why not use a pedestal to display your semi-naked cake? When using a thin layer of buttercream to glide over the cake, a few pale-coloured flowers could help make the bake stand out more as the centrepiece.
A Buttercream Rose
A wooden plank can also add to the rustic theme of a wedding or venue and show the naked wedding cake to all the guests in a characterful way. The beauty of these cakes is their simplicity.
The Size of the Naked Wedding Cake
Two Tier and Rustic
Small and simple can also be a classic. Two tiers can be just tall enough to feed an intimate wedding party and add character. A small arrangement of flowers can be subtle and beautiful.
Dietary Requirements for your Wedding Cake
A Vegan Chocolate Delight
If chocolate is the way you decide to go, leave no one out with a vegan option. Cakes can always be altered to suit the couple and wedding parties’ food intolerances. A vegan chocolate cake could be the perfect option for you and your guests.
A Gluten Free Victoria
A gluten-free cake made with victoria sponge, lemon sponge and chocolate sponge for the tiers. Finished off with buttercream in a naked finish. Gorgeous!
Flowers and Wedding Cakes
A Classic Blush Rose
A skimmed design on a naked wedding cake can also add to the texture of the layers. The bake will look flawless with little to no outer layer and classic blush roses.
A Summer Floral Dessert
Flowers and fresh fruit will create a sophisticated feel for summer with buttercream and a plain sponge base. The wedding cake could be decorated with a range of flowers, but simplicity can be key when it comes to the naked wedding cake.