• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Barbara Bakes™
  • Home
  • About
  • Info
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • Breads
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
    • Cakes
    • Cookies
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastry
    • All Desserts »
  • Main Dishes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Pasta
    • Meatless
    • All Main Dishes »
  • Side Dishes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Baking Tips
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Cakes

    How To Decorate a Cake without Buttercream

    Published by Melissa on April 25, 2020 | Updated June 13, 2022 | 12 Comments

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    Go beyond buttercream to decorate your homemade cakes! We’re sharing the best unique alternatives to buttercream icing that will have you filling and decorating beautiful, delicious cakes. 

    Best-Way-To-Decorate-Cakes-Barbara-Bakes

    Confession: I’m not a huge fan of buttercream, so I’m always on the lookout for new ways to decorate cakes without buttercream frosting. 

    In my opinion, the perfect cake is rich, dense, and moist. I love cakes with such intense flavors that they don’t even need fancy frosting to taste divine.  

    Luckily, there are so many delicious, not to mention beautiful, ways to fill and frost homemade cakes without buttercream. Here are 24 of my favorite alternatives to buttercream icing. 

    Fill & Frost Your Cakes With A Twist

    Maybe you frost the top of a layer cake with the old standby frosting, but why not try something new to fill the cake? How about:

    • Fruit Filling
    • Dark Chocolate Ganache
    • Caramel Sauce
    • Crunchy toasted nuts or cookie pieces

    There are so many fun ways to surprise your guests with a delightfully unexpected cake filling. 

    And when it comes to frosting, sometimes the more flavorful your cake is, the less it needs for decoration. Some of my favorite ways to add a pop of color to my cakes without buttercream are:

    • Quick and easy whipped cream
    • Delicate fresh fruit
    • Chocolate drizzle
    • Chopped nuts

    Best Alternatives to Buttercream

    From light and fluffy whipped cream and berries to rich and decadent pecan icing, these are the alternatives to buttercream you need to bring your cake baking to the next level. 

    Even if you’re a total buttercream lover, you might enjoy some of these fun and unique alternatives to buttercream. 

    CAKE DECORATING IDEAS WITHOUT BUTTERCREAM

    From light and fluffy whipped cream and berries to rich and decadent pecan icing, these are the alternatives to buttercream you need to bring your cake baking to the next level. 

    Even if you’re a total buttercream lover, you will LOVE these fun and unique alternatives to buttercream.1

    OLD-FASHIONED CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MARASCHINO CHERRY FILLING

    A classic chocolate cake needs no buttercream if you ask me. Especially this recipe, filled with homemade cherry filling and dressed up with a glossy chocolate icing.

    BLACKBERRY FOREST CAKE

    www.yourcupofcake.com

    This simple but elegant chocolate layer cake combines light and fluffy whipped cream filling with perfectly sweet berries that act as effortless, but quite pretty, decoration on their own.

    CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM CAKE ROLL

    A light and bouncy separated sponge chocolate cake rolled around sweet and refreshing cherry chocolate chip ice cream. Is there a better summer dessert? All you need is a drizzle of chocolaty glaze to round out this buttercream-less roll cake. 

    FLOURLESS CARROT CAKE WITH MASCARPONE FROSTING RECIPE

    diethood.com

    Orange zest in this dense flourless carrot cake makes for a bright flavor. Almond flour makes for a dense, moist dessert that only needs a three-ingredient mascarpone frosting to shine. 

    FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

    www.twopeasandtheirpod.com

    This naturally gluten-free, deliciously intense chocolate cake needs no sugary frosting. A simple two-ingredient chocolate ganache is the perfect buttercream alternative to bring this cake to life. 

    FLOURLESS MOCHA CAKE WITH CREME ANGLAISE

    dinnerthendessert.com

    Sticking with the flourless trend, these individual mocha cakes have a warm and gooey coffee-flavored center. A cool vanilla bean creme Anglaise melts to make the perfect dessert pairing. 

    CHOCOLATE COLA CAKE WITH DULCE DE LECHE, COCONUT AND PECAN ICING

    www.completelydelicious.com

    People will go nuts for this cake! Not only does this recipe make a three-layer chocolate cake, each layer is drizzled with creamy dulce de leche and studded with crunchy pecans and creamy coconut flakes. You can buy dulce de leche, or easily make your own for a tasty go-to buttercream alternative. 

    LEMON BLISS BUNDT CAKE

    This springtime cake is bright, fresh, and lovely with tea. A simple drizzle with homemade lemon glaze is all you need to compliment the moist and tender bundt cake. 

    BANANA BUNDT CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER GLAZE

    www.alattefood.com

    Banana and peanut butter are the perfect match in this lovely tea cake. No one will expect a peanut butter glaze as a clever buttercream alternative. 

    CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE WITH A CREAM CHEESE SWIRL

    This chocolate sour cream bundt cake with a surprise sweet cream cheese swirl will delight your guests. Topped with a classic chocolate ganache glaze, this bundt cake is the total package. 

    PUMPKIN SOUR CREAM STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE FROM BARBARA BAKES

    This is the perfect cake for a cool fall afternoon. Cinnamon Caramel Glaze and a two-ingredient Caramel Drizzle bring a classic coffee cake to a new level. Don’t forget the crumbly streusel filling!Get Recipe15

    EASY 5-INGREDIENT GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

    This German Chocolate Cake has only 5 ingredients, so there’s no reason not to spend an extra 15 minutes mixing up a nutty coconut almond frosting. Add a delicate drizzle of chocolate, and everyone will think you spent all day making dessert!

    TROPICAL CARROT CAKE WITH COCONUT CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

    We couldn’t list all the alternatives to buttercream icing without mentioning cream cheese frosting! This recipe gets a tropical twist from coconut and tangy sour cream. It’s always a popular summertime dessert. 

    DARK CHOCOLATE VANILLA BEAN MARSHMALLOW DREAM CAKE

    thenovicechefblog.com

    If the picture doesn’t convince you to top your next cake with the dreamiest alternative to buttercream (Marshmallow), let me convince you. This Marshmallow Dream Cake certainly earned its name. Dense dark chocolate layer cake enveloped in a cloud of meringue––need I say more?

    GRASSHOPPER CAKE

    www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com

    This bright green cake is spring on a plate. The frosting is made with creme de menthe for a serious mint flavor that’s a real crowd-pleaser. 

    COCONUT LIME CAKE

    The key to getting this easy cake full of flavor and moist is to prick holes with a toothpick before drizzling the cake with zesty lime glaze. A quick sprinkle of lime and coconut over the top adds
    crunch and brightness.

    BLACK FOREST CHEESECAKE CAKE

    This cake is the best of both worlds: dense black forest cake layered with homemade cheesecake and decorated with cream cheese frosting and cherries. This is a truly special occasion dessert.

    [mv_create key=”631″ type=”list” title=”Cake Decorating Ideas without Buttercream” thumbnail=”https://www.barbarabakes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Old-Fashioned-Chocolate-Cake-with-Maraschino-Cherry-Filling-Barbara-Bakes.jpg” layout=”numbered”]

    What are your favorite alternatives to buttercream icing? Let us know in the comments!

    Pin It:

    A collage of 5 cakes decorated without buttercream frosting.
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Thick, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
    Healthier Chocolate Pound Cake From A Mix »
    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kitchen Belleicious

      March 04, 2014 at 6:12 am

      Oh i need alll the tips I can get when it comes to decorating, Baking I can do but decorating I am still looking for improvement. Wonderful roundup!

      Reply
    2. Emily

      March 03, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Love this idea for a recipe roundup!

      Reply
    3. Annalise

      March 03, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks for including my cake recipe, such a great list! Although, I still can’t believe you’re anti-buttercream. 🙂

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 03, 2014 at 9:18 pm

        Lol I’m not anti-buttercream. I just don’t love it.

        Reply
    4. Carrian

      March 02, 2014 at 8:46 am

      These are great ideas! I am so not a cake decorator, but I think I could pull off a few of these!

      Reply
    5. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

      March 01, 2014 at 9:50 pm

      I love them all and I don’t mind a well made butter cream either. All these cakes are gorgeous!! I want a slice of every one.

      Reply
    6. Winnie

      March 01, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Such fun ideas! I do not care for gloppy frostings so I do a lot of stenciling on my cakes with sugar and cocoa powder. I have a large set of Martha Stewart’s stencils, but now make my own with parchment paper using my various dies that I use for my paper crafting. I cut them out using my machine and stencil away. Thought I would share that with you.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        March 02, 2014 at 6:27 am

        How fun to make your own cake stencils. What’s your favorite?

        Reply
    7. angela@spinachtiger

      March 01, 2014 at 4:07 pm

      I can’t wait to try a few powdered sugar tricks and I’ve pinned a few of these delicious cakes. The Ding Dong Cake got my attention.

      Reply
    8. Alice | Close Encounters of the Cooking Kind

      March 01, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you for posting this! I really don’t like buttercream at all, so these alternatives are great.

      Reply
    9. My Inner Chick

      March 01, 2014 at 3:17 pm

      —Just saved to my favorites.

      The video was Fabulous!

      Xxx

      Reply
    10. Rosa

      March 01, 2014 at 11:20 am

      Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Melissa and Barbara smiling

    Baking made easy! Sharing fabulous recipes for cookies, cakes, pies, breads and more. Barbara Bakes (and Melissa too!) Recipes from both of our kitchens to yours.

    Learn More »

    Popular Posts

    cracked top baked and neat rows of neiman marcus cookies stacked on a white plate

    Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe

    Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake

    Peaches in various stages of slicing

    How To Slice Peaches

    A sweet, moist, dense key lime pound cake drizzled with a tart key lime glaze. A delicious Southern twist to a traditional pound cake.

    Key Lime Pound Cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Press

    Browse

    • Recipe Index
    • Popular
    • Baking Tips
    • Travel

    Subscribe

    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon affiliate, and affiliate with other businesses, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 barbarabakes.com. All rights reserved. DISCLOSURE - PRIVACY POLICY.