Top 31 Best Cake Filling Ideas

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I have collected the best cake filling ideas for layered cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and more. These are all reliable recipes to turn your desserts into the most delicious sweet treats!

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Maybe it's a special birthday or celebration coming up, or perhaps you're browsing wedding cake flavors and fillings combinations. Whatever the reason, you have come to the right place if you're looking for the best sponge cake filling ideas. Browse and find your favorite cake filling flavors and combinations below!

The best cake filling recipes

1. German buttercream

Easy German Buttercream (or crème mousseline) is my favorite buttercream frosting. Basically, it's a simple pastry cream enriched with butter, so it is a bit more complex to make, but it isn't as sweet as American buttercream. It's super smooth and silky and the best cake filling for a variety of desserts, from layer cakes (this is probably one of the best cake filling ideas for vanilla cake) and cupcakes to French macarons.

German buttercream recipe

2. Whipped chocolate ganache frosting

Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting in a glass.

Who can resist a decadent whipped chocolate ganache frosting slathered on a chocolate layer cake? Not me. Undoubtedly, this smooth and silky whipped chocolate ganache is one of the original and best cake fillings around. Ganache frosting is also very easy to make, even for beginner bakers.

Whipped chocolate ganache frosting recipe

3. Lemon curd

You can use lemon curd in so many desserts, and making it from scratch is a valuable kitchen tool to have. It makes the most deliciously tangy coconut cake filling or works perfectly with vanilla, and it also cuts through chocolate in a delicious way. Not to mention using it as a filling for lemon poppy seed cupcakes!

Lemon curd recipe

4. Mascarpone frosting

This silky mascarpone frosting is the perfect frosting for your cakes and cupcakes. It pipes beautifully and does not contain a lot of added sugar like some other caking fillings and frostings. You can make this delicious, velvety-smooth cake frosting using three simple ingredients; it takes less than five minutes. This is one of my favorite cake filling ideas for vanilla cake.

Mascarpone frosting recipe

5. Caramel filling

Try this homemade caramel filling for cupcakes, cakes, tartlets, brownies, pies, or any other desserts! It is so buttery and silky with balanced sweetness, plus it won't go hard. Even beginner bakers can make homemade caramel cake filling; it takes 5 minutes and has just four simple ingredients. Caramel filling tastes especially delicious with apples and Fall flavors, but I enjoy it at any time of year as these chocolate caramel cupcakes for example.

Caramel filling recipe

6. Nutella frosting

Rich chocolate cake with Nutella frosting has to be one of the most popular birthday cake flavors and fillings. Because who doesn't love the rich and smooth chocolate hazelnut spread? The nutty flavor tames the sweetness slightly, but overall this is a super decadent cake filling for serious chocoholics only. Make sure to try these Nutella cupcakes and Nutella cake.

Nutella frosting recipe

7. Frangipane

Frangipane is used as the filling in French Kings Cake (Galette des Rois), baked between two layers of buttery puff pastry, and I can safely say that it makes the best pastry filling. Creamy, nutty, and easy to make, what's not to love? Frangipane pairs well with chocolate but also with fruits like apples and pears.

Frangipane recipe

8. Crème pâtissière

A crème pâtissière or vanilla custard cake filling is one of the classics used in so many French pastries. It is a rich and thick custard made from milk, eggs, and starch, and it's well worth learning how to make it! A cake layered with pastry cream will be a real showstopper.

Crème pâtissière recipe

9. Namelaka

Chocolate namelaka is the most delicious cream that you can use to fill, frost, or beautifully decorate your desserts. Its texture is the perfect mix of ganache, pastry cream, and mousse, making it rich, silky, delicate, and light. Please note that you can make namelaka with dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate too, so it is super versatile.

Namelaka recipe

10. Homemade Lotus Biscoff spread

Fill cakes or cupcakes with this homemade Lotus Biscoff spread, it is super easy, and you can make it in under 10 minutes! Biscoff spread is my favorite filling for vanilla cake as it lets the Biscoff flavor sing, or you can use it in tons of other Biscoff recipes.

Homemade Lotus Biscoff spread recipe

11. Diplomat cream

Diplomat cream or crème diplomate has a unique taste and texture. In comparison with pastry cream, it is lighter. Yet, it is richer than simple whipped cream filling. Therefore, there are numerous diplomat cream uses. It works well in a tart; it's a delicious cake filling, a classic eclair filling, or even makes a tasty small dessert dish on its own.

Diplomat cream recipe

12. Chocolate cremeux

Chocolate cremeux has to be one of the best cake fillings and frostings. Crémeux au chocolat is made with five simple ingredients and has a silky texture that isn't too firm and isn't too soft. Overall, chocolate crémeux is simply the perfect creamy topping or filling for your favorite pastries, tarts and cakes like this Triple chocolate cake.

Chocolate cremeux recipe

13. Cream cheese frosting

Make this delicious, velvety-smooth, easy-to-pipe cream cheese cake filling in less than 3 minutes! Surely, cream cheese frosting is the most perfect flavor combination for red velvet cake or spread onto brownies.

Cream cheese frosting

14. Caramelized apple topping

A caramelized apple topping has to be one of the easiest and most delicious ways to fill a cake. It's so versatile and full of warm, comforting flavors that go wonderfully with baked goods but also with pancakes, waffles, crepes, and ice cream. It's the perfect cake filling for Fall.

Caramelized apple topping recipe

15. Strawberry shortcake crumble

This easy cake filling has to be up there among the best. It's a colorful, crunchy, and delicious topping or mix-in to your cakes, cupcakes, and cheesecakes. Honestly, you are missing out if you haven't tried my strawberry crunch cupcakes! Not to mention, it makes a delicious cake frosting when mixed with cream cheese to make a cream cheese filling. If you're searching for a strawberry cake filling or alternative Victoria sponge cake filling ideas, this might be the one for you.

Strawberry shortcake crumble recipe

16. Homemade Nutella

Crazy delicious and smooth with a deep nutty flavor - I use this homemade Nutella on everything! It is sophisticated and sweet but very well-balanced, which makes it the ideal cake filling. Nutella is a delicious cake filling flavor combination for strawberries, raspberries, or banana.

Homemade Nutella recipe

17. Strawberry compote

Strawberry compote is a classic summer cake filling and one of my all-time favorite fillings for layer cakes like Victoria sponge. It has such a fresh fruity flavor, and what's more, it is a lot easier to make than you'd think!

Strawberry compote recipe

18. Whipped cream

Whipped cream has to be the most versatile cake filling as it tastes delicious on its own, but it can also be flavored with citrus zest or even desiccated coconut to make coconut cream. Or it can be paired with other frostings like a strawberry compote or homemade Nutella. Whipped cream is also one of the best decoration elements or fillings for chocolate cake layers.

Whipped cream recipe

19. Biscoff buttercream

3 Biscoff Cupcakes with Biscoff buttercream.

Biscoff-flavored German buttercream frosting? Undoubtedly, this might be the most delicious frosting that you will ever make! Mousseline cream is a pastry cream-based frosting which means it is enriched with butter as well as Biscoff spread. Rich caramel flavors mixed with creamy butter, it is absolutely out of this world.

Biscoff buttercream recipe

20. Hazelnut frosting

Try this luxuriously silky hazelnut mousseline cream for the most amazingly decadent cake filling. It is enriched with hazelnut praline paste for the most incredibly nutty flavor. In fact, hazelnut works very well with chocolate and coffee, and hazelnut and raspberry are another one of the best cake filling combinations.

Hazelnut frosting recipe

21. Pistachio ganache

Pistachio ganache is so full of pistachio flavor and much less sweet than a buttercream frosting. Making a pistachio ganache cake filling means you get nutty flavor and richness from white chocolate and heavy cream, but the lower sweetness perfectly balances your cake. Moreover, pistachio ganache is one of my personal favorites for filling macarons.

Pistachio ganache recipe

22. Raspberry ganache

You have to make this delicious raspberry ganache; it is the best raspberry cake filling. Tangy and sweet raspberries are blended and mixed with whipping cream and white chocolate, which perfectly takes on their flavor. But in addition, the texture is super silky and rich. You can use raspberry ganache for tarts, layer cakes, or as macaron or cupcake filling.

Raspberry ganache recipe

23. Swiss meringue frosting

Silky Swiss meringue makes the most luxurious cake frosting or filling, with its thick, velvety smooth texture and rich taste. Top with grated lemon zest to add citrus zing or even a dusting of cinnamon. Furthermore, Swiss meringue looks so pretty on top of cakes, which makes it even better for special occasions.

Swiss meringue frosting recipe

24. Pistachio buttercream

French buttercream is made with sugar syrup, egg yolks, butter, and pistachio paste, so it can be more complex to make, but the results are well worth it. It is silky smooth and luxurious! It’s subtly sweet, ultra-creamy, and works well as a vanilla sponge cake filling.

Pistachio buttercream filling recipe

25. Peanut butter frosting

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/74098356361825082/

I love this peanut butter cake filling for chocolate cake as a unique alternative to chocolate buttercream frosting. Peanut butter and chocolate are definitely one of the best chocolate cake filling combinations, in my opinion. This cake filling is super easy to make and is creamy, fluffy, and simply delicious.

Peanut butter frosting recipe

26. Lemon sweetened condensed milk buttercream

Lemon condensed milk frosting is rich, fluffy, and bright, the perfect cake filling combination. It has a distinctive but delicate lemon flavor, and the addition of sweetened condensed milk adds an amazing quality that is hard to describe! Evidently, this needs to be tasted to be believed.

Lemon sweetened condensed milk buttercream recipe

27. Coffee pastry cream

Coffee lovers will adore this coffee-infused pastry cream. It's the perfect choice if you're searching for vanilla cake fillings, chocolate cake filling ideas, or even banana cake flavor combinations. This coffee cake filling also works well with chopped walnuts, which also means added crunchy texture.

Coffee pastry cream recipe

28. Strawberry buttercream frosting

Learn how to make a fresh naturally pink strawberry frosting using either fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried berries. It will be a life safer for making spring desserts.

Strawberry buttercream frosting recipe

29. Salted caramel Swiss meringue buttercream

Salted caramel anything is surely a winner in my book, and I feel like it would work with pretty much any cake recipe. First, make your own homemade salted caramel sauce. After that, make your Swiss meringue. And finally, whisk in butter. The result, is more refined than American buttercream, a little less sweet, and incredibly light and fluffy!

Salted caramel Swiss meringue buttercream

30. Cherry frosting

Pipe cherry frosting on chocolate cake and create a Black Forest gateau vibe! Or, it works equally well if you're looking for light and fruity vanilla cake filling ideas. This is a super easy cake filling for Spring or Summer that you can combine with other flavors in delicious and interesting ways.

Cherry frosting recipe

31. Orange curd

This easy orange curd recipe makes a delicious filling for cakes, spread for scones, in a fruit tart, or even as a topping for cheesecake. Creamy orange curd is easy to make at home and is a softer citrus curd to lemon or lime, with less bite or tartness.

Orange curd recipe

Cake fillings FAQs

What is the best filling for a vanilla cake?

Mascarpone frosting, cream cheese frosting, hazelnut frosting, strawberry buttercream, Biscoff frosting or simple whipped cream are all perfect for vanilla cake.

What are the best cake filling flavors and combinations?

Nuts with chocolate, nuts with fruit, and whipped cream with fruit are some of the best cake filling combinations.

What are the most popular fillings for cakes?

Buttercream, whipped cream, fruit, or chocolate ganache are some of the most popular cake fillings.

Have you tried these recipes?

Please leave a 5-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on the recipe card and consider leaving a comment as well! I would love to hear about how your desserts turned out and your feedback also helps other Readers!