Top 10 Cake Decorating Trends Of The Year

January 11, 2024

As we dive into the sweet world of cake decorating this year, there are a bunch of cool trends that are stealing the spotlight. Picture this: cakes that are like a stroll through a garden, with edible flowers, earthy vibes, and all that natural goodness. It's the kind of trend that's making us feel closer to nature, you know? Rustic charm is in, and we're all about celebrating sustainability while munching on something delightful.

cake

But wait, there's more! If you're feeling a bit extra, maximalism is where it's at. Think layers on layers, bold colours, and designs that are edible art. We're talking intricate details that scream, "Look at me, I'm the star of the party!" Edible gold, hand-painted magic – maximalist cakes are like the rockstars of the dessert world, stealing the show with every slice.

So, here's the deal: whether you're into the chill nature vibes, the over-the-top maximalism, or the classic-meets-modern mashup, 2024 is serving up some seriously drool-worthy cake trends. Let the celebrations begin with these not-so-basic confectionery masterpieces!

10 Cake Decorating Trends

1. Comic-style cartoon cakes

Comic cakes or cartoon cakes are regular cakes that are decorated to look like 2D cartoons. The resulting look is very whimsical and looks more like a drawing than a cake. The key to the comic cake look is a very limited colour palette of only two or three colours, usually pastel, which are then outlined in black.

Cartoon cake

2. Abstract Buttercream

Buttercream carving made a brief appearance a few years ago and it’s starting to re-appear. For this cake trend, frost a cake and then cover it with another colour of buttercream. Carve the buttercream using clay modelling tools or even piping tips, revealing the colour underneath.

Buttercream cake

3. Geometric Cakes

Geometric patterns are making waves in cake decoration this year. Meticulously crafted shapes like triangles, hexagons, and squares create a visually striking mosaic that covers the cake's surface. Bold and contrasting colours further enhance the precision and sophistication of these designs.

Geometric cake

4. Metallic Cakes

Metallic elements continue to captivate cake decorators in 2024. Gold, silver, copper, and rose gold add a touch of luxury to cakes. Achieving this metallic magic involves using edible metallic dust or lustre dust to create a captivating shimmer on the cake's surface. Delicate patterns and intricate details are highlighted with metallic accents, making cakes dazzle and impress.

Metallic cake

5. Whimsical cakes

Whimsical cakes refer to cakes that are imaginative, playful, and often characterised by unconventional designs and creative elements. These cakes deviate from traditional or formal styles and embrace a sense of fun, fantasy, and lightheartedness. Whimsical cakes are particularly popular for celebratory events like birthdays, baby showers, or themed parties where a touch of creativity and uniqueness is desired.

Whimsical cake

6. Ombre Cakes

An ombre cake is a cake that features layers of varying shades or tones of the same colour, creating a gradient effect from light to dark. The term "ombre" comes from the French word for "shaded" or "shadow," and it's commonly used in the context of art and design to describe a smooth transition of colours. In the case of an ombre cake, this colour transition is applied to the layers of the cake batter or the frosting. The cake layers are typically tinted with food colouring or other natural ingredients to achieve the desired gradient effect. Ombre cakes can be a stunning and visually appealing addition to special occasions, including weddings, birthdays, or other celebrations. The choice of colours can be customised to suit the theme or preferences of the event, making ombre cakes is a popular and creative choice in the world of baking and cake decorating.

Ombre cake

7. Textured Frosting

A textured frosting cake refers to a cake that features frosting or icing with a deliberately uneven or textured surface. Instead of a smooth and polished finish, bakers use various techniques to create texture on the frosting, adding visual interest and a rustic or artistic appeal to the cake. Textured frosting adds a touch of uniqueness and character to the cake, making it a popular choice for events where a more relaxed or artisanal aesthetic is desired. It's a versatile style that can suit various themes, from rustic weddings to bohemian celebrations.

Textured frosting cake

8. 3D Cakes

3D cakes are original, beautiful cakes that bakers usually make with a sponge cake base, sometimes with layers of varying colours to create a fun contrast or rainbow effect to make the cake more unique. The cake itself can be any flavour. To this base, they add lots of buttercream or any other choice of frosting. Sometimes, artists add simple syrup to keep the cake moist. While cake quality is important, the fun in 3D cakes comes from what covers them! Bakers achieve hype realistic likeness with one particular ingredient: fondant. Different from marzipan in that it consists of a simple paste of sugar and gelatin, it also does not contain almonds. Although, it would be possible to add marzipan to a 3D cake if your heart so wishes!

3D cake

9. Custom Cakes

Custom cakes are specially designed and crafted cakes that are created to meet the specific requirements, preferences, and themes requested by the customer. These cakes are unique and personalised, often reflecting the individual's or event's style, taste, and celebration theme. The design, flavour, size and other detailings of a custom cake are tailored to the customer's vision.

Custom cake

10. Minimalist Cake

The minimalist trend takes the cake (literally) in 2024. It's all about simplicity and clean lines. Picture a cake with a pristine white canvas adorned with precise geometric shapes like triangles, squares, or circles. The colour palette tends to be soft and neutral, creating a modern and sophisticated look. Minimalism proves that sometimes, less is indeed more when it comes to cake decoration.

Minimalist cake

Conclusion

Alright, cake lovers, let's wrap this up! These cake trends aren't just trends – they're like the VIP pass to Flavour Town and Insta fame. So, grab your mixing bowls and let's dive into a year of cake adventures! Make it wild, make it sweet, and make sure it's as awesome as the celebration you're toasting to. Here's to cakes that steal the show and taste even better than they look!

Whip up delicacies both sweet and savoury with our bakeware collection. Unmould little drops of heaven with our silicone moulds and bake cakes, cookies, and more with our baking dishes. Looking for a special way to display your culinary creations? Fret not, our collection of tiered cake stands is here to level up your presentation game. Weeks will soon turn into days as we slowly approach Valentine's Day, and if you still haven't figured out what to get your significant other, we have just the gift collection for you. Whether you go for our wall decor to add a touch of glitz and glam to their space, snack bowls for midnight fridge raids, adorable keychains, or jars for their snacks, each present unfolds a sea of uses and sentiments.

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