Ideas for Engagement Cakes That’ll Make Your Heart Melt

Celebrate this new milestone with the perfect slice.
A white engagement cake decorated with pink and purple flowers
Photo: Judy Pak Studio,Cake: Nine Cakes
Ariel Taranski
by
Ariel Taranski
Ariel Taranski
Ariel Taranski
The Knot Contributor
  • Ariel writes on a variety of wedding-related topics for The Knot.
  • She has previously worked for Southern Bride Magazine, Miss Design Berry and other woman-owned wedding brands.
  • She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Memphis.
Updated Jul 13, 2023

From figuring how to plan your engagement party to when it should be, you'll want to get your party planning checklist together to ensure you've got everything you need to celebrate this new phase in your lives. An engagement party is typically a gathering for both you and your future spouse to celebrate this phase with loved ones, and they can be more low-key than the bachelor and bachelorette parties. Still, adding a cake to this get-together is a great way to start the celebrations.

Cake expert Jeremy Jarman, a California-based pastry chef and culinary instructor with many years of experience, suggests finding a baker that fits your style and design. He also adds, "When it comes to flavor, choose what you love. Always check what a bakery's best seller is… If you want multiple cake flavors but do not want to splurge on a two tier cake, you can get a smaller cake and supplement with assorted cupcakes."

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What to Write on an Engagement Party Cake

For engagement cake message ideas, you can take inspo from your engagement party signs to write a cute phrase or even your new last name. But most importantly, this cake (and any engagement cake writing ideas you consider) should represent the couple. Your likes, quirks, hobbies, and more can be easily incorporated. Jeremy also suggests, "Have fun with your cake choices! Cake is there to be a fun addition to the party. It is a treat for everyone to enjoy. Choose flavors, styles, and designs that you and your guests will love and your party will go off without a hitch!"

Cute Engagement Cake Ideas

When you're planning out your engagement party, you want the tone to match you and your future spouse's vibes. These cute engagement cakes are all about being in the honeymoon phase, even long before the marriage.

Going Coco-Nuts For You Small Engagement Cake Idea

Shredded coconut engagement cake with cake topper that says "Always and Forever"
Photo: Lisa Blume Photography,Cake: Design Cuisine

This adorable cake takes a sweet topper and an even sweeter topping: shredded coconut. This light flavor works for any engagement party theme, especially a beachy or tropical celebration.

Vivid and Vibrant Florals Cake

Engagement cake with floral decorations
Photo: Terri Baskin Photography,Cake: Hilton Baltimore

Don't worry, these jewel tones won't take away from your brand new bling. If anything, this engagement cake will elevate the party with its bright colors and stunning florals.

Sprinkles and Celebrations Easy Engagement Cake Idea

Bring the fun-fetti to your engagement celebration with this lively dessert. Topping it off with these penguin toppers shows you're dedicated and loyal, just like these sweet lovebirds.

Cact-I Do Cute Engagement Cake Idea

Engagement cake decorated with cacti made of macarons
Photo: Addie Eshelman Photography,Cake: Mr. Farmer's Daughter,Cake: Cherise Harper

Here's a clever way to add a cake topper: Use fun macarons like these, shaped into cacti. Celebrate the love that's like an oasis in a desert at your engagement get-together.

Chocolate Cake With a Retro Spin

This cake topper and classic cake look are giving futuristic retro vibes à la the Jetsons. And you can easily match your engagement party decorations to this retro cake for a whole nostalgic theme.

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Funny Engagement Cake Ideas

If you're worried about etiquette at your engagement party and just how funny your cake can get, don't fret. Injecting you and your future spouse's playful personalities is as easy as taking inspiration from these funny engagement cake ideas.

The Spoon to My Fork Engagement Cake Decoration Idea

This quirky cake uses cutlery to show well the new couple complements each other. You can take inspiration from this fun and adorable idea by adding your own personal spin, like how the spoon is holding his favorite hat or the fork has her favorite flowers.

A Jim and Pam Kinda Love Cake

"The Office"-themed engagement cake
Photo: Izzy Hudgins
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Cake: Wicked Fancy Cakes

If you bonded over a love of the same TV show, like "The Office," then this is the cake for you. Give your guests little Easter eggs to enjoy on the cake, like funny quotes or inside jokes (which Michael Scott would love to be a part of one day).

The Turtle Marries The Hare Cake

Here's a cute cake topper for animal lovers or opposites who couldn't help but attract. You can ask your baker to incorporate other unique elements to you, as well, for a one-of-a-kind engagement cake.

Textured Engagement Cake With Artistic Toppers

This textured cake brings the artistic flair to any celebration. If you've got a favorite artist, like this couple did, why not add a topper that is inspired by their work?

The To-Be-Weds' Neighbor Totoro Cake

"My Neighbor Totoro"-themed engagement cake
Photo: Randy + Ashley Studios

This one's for all the Studio Ghibli fans, especially "My Neighbor Totoro." You can choose from so many iconic scenes, and maybe even add Catbus to your cake topper.

Some-Fin Blue Engagement Party Cake

If you think your love is jaws-ome, this adorable cake will no doubt delight your guests. And who could resist a shark when it looks this happy?

Simple Engagement Cake Ideas

There are plenty of ideas for engagement cakes, including a simple option so the focus is on your exciting announcement. Here are some of our favorite engagement party cake ideas that can seamlessly work with any theme.

Decadent Fruit and Chocolate Cake

Engagement cake decorated with fruit and drizzled with chocolate
Photo: Love & Light Photographs,Cake: Phyllis's Bakery

We're so here for the drip design on cakes, and this one adds a fresh fruit element to really boost the entire look. Just add a simple cake topper and voila, you've got yourself an engagement cake the whole party can't wait to dig into.

Elegant in White Small Engagement Cake Idea

Small white engagement cake decorated with flowers
Photo: Corinna Rose Photography

Let your engagement cake take center stage with this classic style. And a simple, but elegant, design like this is great for throwing a surprise engagement party, since any couple could get behind these fresh floral elements.

Petals and Patina Engagement Party Cake

Engagement cake decorated with flowers
Photo: Judy Pak Studio,Cake: Nine Cakes

Here's a cake that's been cleverly designed to look slightly aged for an antique look. Incorporate your favorite blooms to make this unique to you, and maybe even serve as a prelude to your wedding day.

Blushing Bride Ombre Cake

Pink ombre engagement cake
Photo: Jessica Hunt Photography
,
Cake: Noe Valley Bakery

This cake is pretty in pink with its ombre design. You can add a cake topper for embellishment or have your baker write something special for you two to start this new chapter together.

Single-Tier Blooms Cake

White single-tier engagement cake decorated with flowers
Photo: B. Schwartz Photography

White is a classic wedding color, so why not add it to your engagement party? This cake is easily, and elegantly, elevated by using fresh flowers as decor.

Puppy Love Cake

White and gold cake with cake topper of same-sex couple and dog
Photo: Lauren Michelle Photography

Your engagement should include your fur baby, too. This golden cake lets your pup (or cat) have their rightful place beside the happily engaged couple.

A Perennial Passion Cake

White engagement cake with flowers
Photo: Trenholm Photo

We disagree with Miranda Priestly saying florals for spring aren't groundbreaking. This delightful cake adds a bit of color and brightness to any dessert table.

Rustic Succulent Cake

These desert plants are having their moment. Consider adding this lush greenery to your engagement party cake for a rustic feel.

Unique Engagement Cake Ideas

For the one-of-a-kind couple with a unique love story, sometimes you just want to put that on display. What better way to do that than with your engagement cake? Get ready to fall in love with these unique engagement party cakes.

Rosette By Any Other Name Buttercream Engagement Cake Idea

Engagement cake with rosette design
Photo: Jessica Roberts Photography,Cake: Bonnie Brunt Cakes

This buttercream rosette design adds a new take on the floral cake. And what's even better is you can ask your cake baker to make the rosettes a different color, like a rich red for your love, to personalize this cake decorating idea for your engagement party.

Monochrome Colors Cake

Black and white engagement cake that says "#NKAM"
Photo: Art Haus Foto,Cake: Bake Shoppe

Feeling hashtag blessed at your engagement party? This black and white cake uses rose accents and a drawn-on heart engagement cake idea to give a classic feel perfect for any couple.

In My City Cake

Engagement decorated with city skyline
Photo: Laura Stone Photo
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Cake: Bold American

Use a city skyline of somewhere that means a lot to you and your partner. Maybe even give your guests a taste of which city you'll be tying the knot.

Pucker Up Cake

This lovely lemon design injects a bit of bright hues and personality. It's an especially cute idea to serve with freshly-squeezed lemonade at your engagement party.

Flecks of Gold Chocolate Cake

If the luscious chocolate of this engagement party cake didn't sway you, maybe those gold flakes will. This retro design works with so many themes, maybe even a "Star Wars"-inspired affair?

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