15 Best Wedding Cupcake Flavors

Over the past decade or so, cupcakes have become an increasingly popular alternative to cakes at weddings.

Not only can you make super cute displays, but you can also customize several types of flavors so that there is bound to be something for everyone to enjoy. 

One of the best things about cupcakes is that you can have pretty basic cake flavors on the bottom, like vanilla, chocolate, coffee, or lemon, and then you can take them to another level of deliciousness with the perfect vibrant frosting flavor. 

The versatility of cupcakes is also perfect if the folks getting married can’t agree on one flavor. With cupcakes, everyone can have their proverbial cake and eat it too, without having to compromise on their special day. 

So, what are the best wedding cupcake flavors? The best wedding cupcake flavors are vanilla, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, carrot cake, banana cream, salted caramel, Nutella, coffee, lemon meringue, red velvet, cranberry orange, chocolate dipped strawberry, cinnamon maple, s’mores, and peppermint mocha. 

Read on to discover more about each of these 15 best wedding cupcake flavors so that you can choose the one (or two or seven) that are perfect for your big day. 

You really can’t go wrong with any of them!

1. Classic Vanilla Cupcakes

Hear me out. I know it’s kind of basic, but it is also a classic for a reason.

Vanilla cupcakes are universally loved. A classic white cupcake base paired with a rich vanilla frosting tastes truly delightful. 

That being said, you can also get creative by topping a vanilla cupcake with a whole variety of different frosting flavors from fruity, to coconutty, to chocolatey, and everything in between. 

Vanilla cupcakes make a great base that you can then build on with any kind of frosting, sprinkle, or topping that you like, so they’re a great choice for a large crowd. 

2. Classic Chocolate Cupcakes

I don’t think much needs to be said here. Chocolate cupcakes are rich, decadent, and incredibly versatile.

You can use a chocolate cupcake base and top it with chocolate frosting, or use the chocolate base as a starting point to get super creative with your frostings.

It’s hard to find a cupcake that is as crowd-pleasing as chocolate, so I suggest having at least a few basic chocolate and vanilla cupcakes for your less adventurous guests to enjoy. 

Some combinations that are delicious with chocolate: cream cheese frosting, toasted meringue, vanilla, coffee, peppermint, and orange. 

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

I’m not sure of a flavor duo more universally loved than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

You can go with a super rich chocolate cupcake topped with a light and fluffy peanut butter frosting. 

4. Carrot Cake Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

If you are looking for a cupcake that has a bit more of a savory sweet flavor, then carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a great choice.

I love the spiciness of the carrot cake batter that’s loaded with ginger and cinnamon. 

Top it with a tangy cream cheese frosting and you have a guaranteed crowd pleased on your hands. You can dust the top with a little bit of cinnamon or candied carrot pieces. 

5. Banana Cream Cupcakes 

I know a banana cream cupcake might sound a little odd at first glance, but trust me when I say this one will be a surprising knockout.

The base is made with a vanilla bean and banana cupcake that’s sweet and a little bit fruity. 

You top it with a super luscious pastry cream frosting and it becomes a delicate, yet somehow decadent cupcake.

I like to top them with a little round of caramelized banana. You could also drizzle them with salted or regular caramel to take them up a notch. 

6. Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes 

Okay, the combination of chocolate and hazelnuts is one beloved across the country, especially in the form of the delicious spread that we all know and love called Nutella.

Bring back memories of childhood with these Nutella inspired cupcakes. 

There are a couple of versions you can try depending on which flavor you want to highlight. 

If you want a milder version, I love a vanilla cupcake with a chocolate hazelnut buttercream frosting. It’s not quite as rich, but you still get the decadence of the frosting.

If you want to go really rich, then you can make a chocolate cupcake with a chocolate hazelnut frosting. This version is perfect for the chocoholics in your life.

I also feel like the chocolate hazelnut frosting would taste amazing with a coffee cupcake base, so that’s something to consider too. 

7. Coffee Cupcakes 

Coffee cupcakes are another crowd pleaser (not so much for kids, but adults tend to love them!). There are a couple of ways that you can enjoy coffee cupcakes at your wedding. 

If you want a super strong coffee punch, then you can combine a coffee flavored cupcake base with a rich coffee buttercream. Try drizzling it with chocolate or caramel for another layer of flavor.

If you’re looking for something a little more subtle, then you can try a chocolate or vanilla cupcake base with a coffee buttercream.

Again, caramel and chocolate drizzles are never a bad addition. 

8. Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

Take the classic combination of a lemon meringue pie and bring it to the cupcake table.

To make this version, take a lemon cupcake and top it with a whipped meringue frosting. If you’d like you can add some candied lemon zest to the top for extra flavor.

If you want to add some toastiness to this version, try torching the meringue before serving. 

9. Red Velvet Cupcakes 

Red velvet cake always seems to have a touch of elegance to it. This classy flavor makes a great base for a cupcake.

You can top it with a classic cream cheese frosting, a basic vanilla frosting, or get creative with a chocolate frosting, or even a salted caramel frosting or drizzle. 

Red velvet is versatile enough to be topped with a variety of flavors. 

10. Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cupcakes

Chocolate dipped strawberries just scream romance, which is perfect for a wedding day. I like to make a strawberry cupcake with a chocolate frosting.

You can take it to another level by topping each cupcake with their very own chocolate dipped strawberry. 

11. Cranberry Orange Cupcakes

Cranberry orange cupcakes are absolutely perfect for fall and winter weddings since the flavor combination just screams holidays.

The brightness of the orange and the tartness of the cranberries can be balance with a rich vanilla buttercream to create a truly decadent cupcake experience.

You could also do a vanilla cranberry cupcake with an orange flavored buttercream if you wanted to be a little creative.

Try topping these cupcakes with little twirls of candied orange peel for a little touch of class and interest. Plus it provides a pop of orange flavor!

12. Cinnamon Cupcakes With Maple Frosting

While it sounds a little untraditional, cinnamon cupcakes are a nice twist on a basic vanilla base.

I like to combine them with a maple frosting to bring back memories of lazy Sunday morning pancake breakfasts. 

Cinnamon flavored cupcakes also make a great choice for fall or winter weddings since the smell of cinnamon is so closely associated with holiday celebrations and comforting baked treats.

Cinnamon cupcakes would also taste great with a vanilla frosting or salted caramel. 

13. Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Is there any better flavor combination than salted caramel? The balance of sweet and salty makes this cupcake style a standout at any wedding celebration.

The best part is that salted caramel complements a variety of different base cupcake flavors.

If you’re going for decadence, then I suggest a salted caramel buttercream which you can use to top a rich chocolate cupcake.

If you want something lighter, than a vanilla cupcake is the perfect base for this rich frosting. 

You can also use salted caramel frosting to top a cinnamon cupcake, a coffee cupcake, or even your banana or pumpkin cupcakes. 

14. S’mores Cupcakes

If you want to bring some nostalgia to your wedding day, then s’mores cupcakes are a great choice. They’re also reminiscent of camping trips, making them fun for a summer wedding.

I suggest using a chocolate cupcake base, topped with a meringue frosting that has been torched to get that toasty marshmallow flavor. 

You can then sprinkle graham cracker pieces over the top so that you get all the classic flavors of a campfire s’more in one decadent little dessert.

15. Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes 

This flavor pairs beautifully with the sparkly backdrop of a winter wedding since peppermint is such a classic holiday flavor. Plus, what’s better than chocolate?

There are lots of ways you can make these cupcakes, but a couple of options I like are below. 

Make a chocolate cupcake base, with a coffee flavored buttercream that you top with crushed peppermint or candy cane pieces.

The dominant flavors in this version will be coffee and chocolate with a hint of peppermint. 

Another delicious option is to make a coffee and chocolate flavored cupcake with a peppermint flavored buttercream frosting.

This option will have a much stronger peppermint flavor than the other version. 

Up Next: Funnel Cake Cupcakes