7 Best Wedding Anniversary Cakes (With Recipes & Instructions)

A wedding anniversary deserves a cake that’s as special as the love you’re celebrating.

From elegant classics to modern favorites, here’s a roundup of the best wedding anniversary cakes—complete with recipes and instructions so you can bake your way to a sweet celebration.

1. Classic Vanilla Anniversary Cake

Why it’s perfect: Timeless, light, and always elegant. Ideal if you want a cake that feels close to a wedding cake.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 ½ tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

  • 1 cup whole milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round pans.

  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

  3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

  4. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk.

  5. Pour into pans and bake 30–35 minutes.

  6. Cool, then frost with buttercream or whipped cream.

2. Romantic Red Velvet Cake

Why it’s perfect: Bold, luxurious, and a symbol of romance.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ cups sugar

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp cocoa powder

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil

  • 1 cup buttermilk

  • 2 tbsp red food coloring

  • 1 tsp white vinegar

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 9-inch round pans.

  2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.

  3. In another bowl, whisk eggs, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla.

  4. Combine wet and dry mixtures. Mix until smooth.

  5. Bake 30 minutes. Cool completely.

  6. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

3. Chocolate Ganache Cake

Why it’s perfect: Rich and indulgent for couples who love chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¾ cups flour

  • ¾ cup cocoa powder

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 cup whole milk

  • ½ cup vegetable oil

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 cup boiling water

Ganache:

  • 8 oz semisweet chocolate

  • 1 cup heavy cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch pans.

  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).

  3. Bake 30–35 minutes. Cool.

  4. For ganache: heat cream until simmering, pour over chocolate, stir smooth.

  5. Spread ganache over cake and let it set.

4. Lemon Drizzle Cake

Why it’s perfect: Fresh, zesty, and perfect for summer anniversaries.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter (softened)

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 cups self-rising flour

  • Zest of 2 lemons

Drizzle:

  • Juice of 2 lemons

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf or round pan.

  2. Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time.

  3. Fold in flour and lemon zest.

  4. Pour into pan, bake 40 minutes.

  5. Mix lemon juice and sugar. Pour over warm cake.

5. Strawberry Shortcake

Why it’s perfect: Light, fruity, and romantic with fresh strawberries.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour

  • 1 tbsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup butter

  • ⅔ cup sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 cups whipped cream

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch pans.

  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

  3. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture alternately with milk.

  4. Bake 25–30 minutes. Cool.

  5. Layer with whipped cream and strawberries between and on top.

6. Golden Anniversary Caramel Cake

Why it’s perfect: Rich caramel flavor for milestone anniversaries.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter

  • 2 cups brown sugar

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 ½ cups flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla

Caramel Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two round pans.

  2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.

  3. Mix in flour and baking powder, alternating with milk. Add vanilla.

  4. Bake 30 minutes.

  5. For frosting: melt butter and brown sugar, add cream, then whisk in powdered sugar. Spread over cooled cake.

7. Elegant White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Why it’s perfect: Romantic and luxurious with a fruity twist.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup butter

  • 1 ½ cups sugar

  • 3 eggs

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • 1 cup white chocolate (melted)

  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch pans.

  2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.

  3. Cream butter and sugar, add eggs. Mix in vanilla and melted white chocolate.

  4. Add flour mixture alternating with milk.

  5. Fold in raspberries gently.

  6. Bake 30–35 minutes.

  7. Frost with white chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting.


Choosing the best wedding anniversary cake comes down to your taste, theme, and how you want to celebrate your special day.

Whether you go bold with red velvet, classic with vanilla, or fruity with strawberries and raspberries, these cakes will make your anniversary even sweeter.