Take a bite out of presidential history! Here's how to get JFK's wedding cake shipped straight to your door.
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Wedding cakes come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. Choosing to dish up a small and simple dessert or serve a towering, elegant treat is entirely up to the happy couple. But when important figures in history tie the knot? All eyes are on the nuptials—and everybody wants to know about the wedding cake!
When John F. Kennedy married Jackie Kennedy in 1953, their beautiful wedding centerpiece featured several tiers of cake, with intricately piped detailing. But the real star of the show was the raspberry flavor. It grew so popular that this presidential cake has been used for a number of inaugural balls, and now you, too, can taste JFK’s wedding cake. As a professional baker, I knew I had to see what all the hype was about.
What Is JFK’s Wedding Cake?
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Montilio’s Baking Company, based in Massachusetts, has been baking cakes and pastries since 1947. When it was time for the Kennedys to say “I do,” Montilio’s was asked to create the wedding cake.
Jackie Kennedy had a reputation for loving simple desserts, such as Strawberries Romanoff, so it’s no wonder they went with a simple flavor pairing for their wedding cake. The cake had layers of white cake with raspberry jam and raspberry frosting as the filling, and was covered with vanilla buttercream. The same cake was also served at JFK’s inauguration, along with Ronald Reagan’s and George H.W. Bush’s inaugural balls.
To allow people to try the same cake that the Kennedys enjoyed on their wedding day, and to be a part of history, Montilio’s began shipping a smaller version of JFK’s wedding cake through Goldbelly. The seven-inch round cake isn’t the same size as the presidential cake, but it is assembled using the same flavor combination.
Speaking of presidential cakes, we made Mary Todd Lincoln’s White Cake, too.
JFK’s Wedding Cake Features
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
I ordered JFK’s wedding cake from Goldbelly and it arrived in a shipping box with bright pink lettering. It was packed with dry ice and styrofoam, wrapped in a thin cardboard outer layer, and then wrapped in plastic. An information sheet was also included in the box, detailing the history and significance of the cake.
None of the buttercream was smashed during transit, and it was quick and easy to remove from the box. The round cake was covered in white frosting all the way around, with rosettes of pink raspberry buttercream on top as a simple decoration. It arrived frozen, so I let it thaw for one hour, patiently waiting to cut a slice.
JFK’s Wedding Cake Specifications:
- Seven-inch, three-layer cake
- Features white cake, raspberry preserves, raspberry frosting and vanilla buttercream
- Serves eight people
- Ships frozen on dry ice
- Stays fresh for seven days in the fridge or one year in the freezer
What Does JFK’s Wedding Cake Taste Like?
I’m typically not someone who gets on board with a previously frozen cake. I’ve always been a fresh-only type of cake baker (and eater!). But JFK’s wedding cake changed my mind.
The texture of the cake was light and fluffy. It wasn’t overly moist, which worked well with the fillings. There were three total layers of white cake and two layers of filling. The bottom layer of filling added an extra punch of flavor with the combination of both raspberry jam and raspberry frosting, which was was smooth without being too sweet or tasting fake. It was beautifully balanced between the white cake, filling and frosting.
The cake was truly exceptional, and I can absolutely understand why it became a presidential favorite and helped put Montilio’s on the map.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
Many reviewers have commented on how delicious the cake is, and I would agree with them ten-fold. Here’s what a few verified purchasers had to say:
“The whole experience was positive,” writes Millicent R. “Ordering was easy, delivery was on time, the cake was delicious! Will definitely order through Goldbelly again. Thank you for helping make my moms 90th birthday even better!”
Cara B. explains her satisfaction even amidst a delivery error: “The cake showed up right on my wife’s birthday, in the morning, in great condition. Thanks! The delivery person put the cake on its side, despite the numerous labels. Thankfully it was packed securely enough that this did not adversely affect the cake.”
Where to Buy JFK’s Wedding Cake
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You can only order JFK’s wedding cake online from Goldbelly. The cake costs $89.95 and includes fast, free shipping straight to your door. One seven-inch round cake will serve eight people, making it perfect for a party or to send to a friend. And once you’ve tried JFK’s wedding cake, dig into these First Ladies’ favorite foods, too!
