We love peeking into the Kennedy kitchen—it’s a way to reconnect with a storied age of American history and the timeless charm of the Kennedy legacy. Over the years, we’ve uncovered plenty of their favorite recipes, from dishes Jackie served at White House dinners to desserts the family enjoyed. We’ve even explored President Kennedy’s daily eating habits, from the breakfast he ate almost every morning to his rather peculiar two-ingredient lunch.
But we haven’t stepped back to the very beginning of Jackie Bouvier and Senator John F. Kennedy’s love story: their wedding day. And when we do, we uncover a piece of food history that remains as relevant today—while shedding some light on what was actually served.
Jackie and John F. Kennedy’s Wedding Cake
The young couple married in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1953, in what was often referred to as “The American Royal Wedding.” Their reception at Hammersmith Farm was a glamorous, high-profile affair, filled with senators, diplomats, and prominent social figures. Naturally, the desserts had to live up to the occasion.
At the center of the celebration stood a towering six-tier cake, nearly four feet tall and weighing close to 300 pounds. It was covered in rich white icing and finished with ribbons of ornate pipework. And the cake inside? Well, that detail has been the subject of some confusion. As it turns out, it was actually a traditional fruitcake made by Plourde’s Bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts. White fruitcake was a fashionable choice for high-society weddings, not only symbolizing prosperity and longevity for the couple, but also offering a sturdiness that allowed bakers to stack it sky-high.
Most guests, however, never actually ate a slice of that impressive centerpiece. Instead, they were served a cake chosen not for durability, but for flavor.
What Is the JFK Presidential White Torte?
What many guests actually enjoyed at the reception was a lighter, more delicate dessert: a white cake layered with raspberry filling. It is said to have been the groom’s cake, and it came from Montilio’s Baking Company in Boston, a third-generation, family-owned bakery that’s still famous today for its world-class cakes.
As owner George Montilio shared, the recipe began with the bakery’s classic white cake base, layered with tart raspberry jam and a buttercream frosting blended with more of that jam. Another cake layer was stacked on top, followed by more raspberry buttercream, and then finished with a final cake tier. The whole dessert was frosted in smooth white buttercream and decorated with swirls of raspberry buttercream.
It may not have been as regal as the towering fruitcake centerpiece, but this raspberry-layered creation, which the bakery calls its “JFK Presidential White Torte,” carried its own air of elegance—and it’s the one that’s mainly talked about to this day.
Goldbelly
And the lore of this raspberry cake didn’t end at the Kennedy wedding. Apparently, word spread about the presidential favorite, and it was later served at many more historic occasions, including the presidential inaugurations of JFK, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. Montilio’s also baked it for visits from the Queen of England and Pope John Paul II when they traveled to Boston.
Now here’s the real treat: You can still enjoy the Kennedys’ raspberry wedding cake to this day. In fact, it’s available for nationwide delivery in the U.S. right to your door.
Where to Buy John F. Kennedy’s Wedding Cake Today
With help from Goldbelly, Montilio’s sells smaller versions of the iconic dessert made just as it was generations ago. According to Goldbelly’s website, “many of these recipes haven’t changed in more than 70 years, and you can taste the decades of tradition in every bite.”
Each cake is handcrafted and measures seven inches in diameter, serving eight people. It’s shipped fresh with dry ice and can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. However, once it thaws, it will last a week in the fridge or stay fresh for six hours at room temperature.
So the next time you’re planning a birthday, a celebration, or even your own wedding, you can serve a dessert with a real presidential pedigree. It’s a true taste of American history—and by all accounts, a delicious one at that.
