15 Wedding Desserts to Try in Lieu of a Classic Cake

For some couples, there is no better after-dinner treat than a rich, creamy, stinky cheese. Cheekily pay homage to the classic layer cake by stacking a variety of wheels.

Put pretty much any dessert in a mason jar and it looks adorable; this cute layered serving style works for everything from cakes to puddings to summery strawberry shortcake. While they may not be quite as grand as a cake, neat rows of mason jars are bound to catch guests' eyes.

Sure, pancakes may not be a dessert per se, but this fluffy brunch staple has become a true wedding day trend. Buttermilk pancakes add a homey touch to more casual ceremonies.

Guests love a dessert that they can put together themselves, and classic s'mores offer a nostalgic touch, plus they taste great. If the real deal seems a bit messy for the big day, there are plenty of s'mores-inspired desserts to fill the sticky-sweet void.

If you're on team pie (vs. team cake), put your love for this homey dessert on display. Some couples are even stacking tiers of pie in lieu of cake; it's a rustic idea, perfect for a wedding in a rural setting.

If you love cake but would prefer a wedding dessert that's a touch more playful, consider the cake pop. These moist desserts are dipped in a candy shell for an extrasinful sweetness and are an excellent alternative.

The miniature trend also includes whoopie pies, where traditional cupcake flavors such as red velvet dominate.

Rather than pay for a separate groom's cake, offer guests tuxedo iced cookies.

If you've been bitten by the macaron bug, opt to include a colorful macaron tower. These petite desserts add elegance to any reception.

A croquembouche — basically, puff pastries stacked in a tower and drizzled with caramel — is a stunning wedding cake alternative. The puffs are popping up in weddings and bridal magazines everywhere.

Gourmet doughnuts and beignets are appearing on dessert menus across the nation, changing the reputation of this inexpensive breakfast bite to a coveted white tablecloth dinner (and thereby wedding) dessert.

Cupcakes seem like they are here to stay. Many brides opt to have a small cake on the top tier of a cupcake tower in order to participate in the cutting-of-the-cake tradition.

Draw inspiration from this rustic wedding and serve up stacks of iced Belgian waffles.