Everyone remembers that famous seen from “Steel Magnolias,” where the groom’s cake was red velvet and in the shape of a giant armadillo served in the carport. But, where did the tradition of the groom’s cake originate?

Originally, in England, as the brides cake became lighter in flavor and texture, they were considered to feminine for the men, as compared to the cakes of the time, which were a dark fruitcake soaked in alcohol.

These heavier cakes were stronger in flavors and dense texture and consider masculine enough for the groom’s. In the Victorian era, the ladies of the bridal party enjoyed the light bride’s cake while the groom and his groomsmen enjoyed the stronger flavors of the groom’s cake.

The tradition of the groom’s cake is said to have made its’ American appearance in Virginia where it continued to be a dense dark fruitcake soaked in alcohol. This tradition spread throughout the country, but never really caught on anywhere other than the south.

The groom’s cake became a wedding favor, cut into small pieces and placed in boxes given to guests after the wedding. It was said that if a single female placed the box under her pillow as she slept, she would dream of her future groom, hence the name groom’s cake.

In recent years, the groom’s cake has remained a cake of dense flavors and textures, chocolate and red velvet are the most popular flavors, however, a groom’s cake is sometimes cheesecake, and in rare instances the traditional fruitcake soaked in alcohol. As the cake is a gift from the bride to the groom, it is usually decorated whimsically to reflect his personality, hobbies or profession.

The groom’s cake, by tradition, is served at a separate table from the bride’s cake, and usually not until after the bride’s cake is served. In some cases the groom’s cake is served at the rehearsal dinner or the wedding breakfast.

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Produced by John Leighton Video Productions
An LVP Studio Films production
In association with Leighton Video Productions

Special thanks to Ruthie and Butch Stivers at Delicious Cakes