Cake Filling
Man, we love cake, don’t we?
And by “we” I mostly mean me. But, sure you too!
While I have been known to eat an unfrosted cake, never was it known that I have eaten an unfilled cake.
Once you have cake, you gotta start thinking about fillings.
Cake Filling Ideas
What do you put between layers of cake?
Anything you want to!
But, I know you came here for actual suggestions and ideas for the cake filling of your dreams, so let’s get to it!
Cake Fillings
I’m gonna run down by flavors, so feel free to skip ahead to your fav.
Cake filling flavors are as simple or as complex as you want them to be.
You’re the boss of your filling!
Custard Cake Filling
This filling is very custard-esque. It is a family favorite and my go-to for most cakes.
The first time I made this I was struck by the simplicity weighed against the taste and mouth feel. Crazy good.
Grab a spoon (yes, I have been known to eat it right from the mixing bowl!)
Here’s the link: the best filling you’ll ever eat!
Cake Flavor ideas
Next up are cake flavors with ideas for fillings.
Chocolate Cake Filling
Chocolate cake and vanilla cake may be the most popular cake flavors. Also chocolate filling and vanilla filling are deliciously common.
You can use the above custard filling, but use chocolate pudding mix, to make an out of this world chocolate filling.
If you’re looking for a buttercream frosting, click this link for my Dark Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
I used it on theses cupcake:
More Cake Filling Ideas
It’s always a good idea to have options for whatever you do – cake fillings included.
Strawberry Cake Filling
This link to strawberry cake filling from The Littlest Crumb is easy and quick.
She also gives other ideas where the filling can be used.
Yum!
My only suggestion is to try it with a strawberry-flavored cake. Then frost with strawberry icing for the strawberry lover in your life.
Raspberry Cake Filling
The recipe to a raspberry cake filling is very similar to the strawberry, but, you know, made with an entirely different flavor-profile berry.
Click the link to Sally’s Baking Addiction raspberry cake filling.
When I was reading through her post, I had the urge to make this recipe just so I could dunk some shortbread cookies in it.
Yum!
Vanilla Cake Filling
Filling a cake isn’t complicated!
Here is a vanilla cake filling with a twist: vanilla custard cake filling.
Yes, please.
Caramel Cake Filling
Drooling yet?
I once made a monstrosity of a cake stuffed with a brownie layer and then finished with a caramel filling. I was in a mood for fun and this cake and cake filling delivered.
This picture gives one answer to the question: What can you put in the middle of a cake?
Over-the-top? Sure. Delicious? Absolutely!
Cream Cheese Filling
One of the easiest, yet delicious fillings to make is a cream cheese filling.
You can adjust the ingredient measurements to make the filling thicker to also use as a frosting.
Here is an example of that: Italian Cream Cake
I used the nutty cream cheese frosting for not only the filling, but to frost the entire cake.
This frosting is so versatile that we have used it to fill my homemade waffles as well!
Unique Cake Flavors
As unique as your cake flavors are, you can find a filling to compliment them.
There are unlimited flavors and textures to fill a cake. Really, it’s left to your imagination and taste.
The best cake filling is the filling you love. That’s it. Nothing complicated about it!
Cake Piping
If you use a cake filling that is a bit on the running or sticky side, like an apricot filling, or any fruit or jam filling, and you want to prevent your cake layers from sliding, you should pipe your cake layer before using that filling.
This is what my caramel filled cake looked like before I placed another cake layer on top:
As you can see, I piped a buttercream frosting completely around the perimeter of the cake to prevent the inner filling from spilling out.
You can either do your cake piping first, and then fill the middle, or leave a space when you fill the cake for the piping to go.
The piping frosting adds another layer of flavor, as well.
Piping Bag Tips
Here’s a fun tip: there is no need to use a piping bag for this perimeter of frosting.
You can use a plastic bag with the end cut off if you don’t have a bag or piping tip.
MacGyver! (did I just totally date myself?)
Best Cake Filling?
Everything! Anything! ALL THE THINGS! (calm down, OMT!)
If you’d rather have a one-stop link for all kinds of cake fillings, here’s a good one from diys.com: 50 layer cake filling ideas.
I’m sure there is at least one cake filling idea you can grab there!
More Cake Posts
If you liked this cake filling post, here are a few more you might be interested in:
The Best 1 2 3 4 Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Make
What a show stopper!
This cake is an American classic. It’s easy and delicious – my favorite kind. If you’ve never had one, get to baking!
The Best Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake
Take it from a native Texan who has eaten many a Texas chocolate sheetcake: this is the BEST recipe I have made for this cake.
The flavor profile isn’t ordinary and you frost it right out of the oven, while the cake is still warm. Oh My!
Manhattan Cheesecake
While this cheesecake isn’t technically a cake, it is worth the time to make.
I can’t recommend it enough. Take a vacation day to make this if you have to. It’s one of my most requested recipes for a family special occasion.
It’s that good!
Original Post: April 12, 2023 ~ Updated Post April 13, 2026
While this is not an exhaustive post on cake fillings, I hope I filled your cake filling needs today.
Thanks for coming and reading. I’m so appreciative of your time spent here with me.
Get to filling, y’all!