It’s no secret that we love to follow cake trends (we do rank our top wedding cakes of the year each December, after all) but this year, it’s experimental bakers that have really stopped us in our scroll. There’s fruit, yes, and flowers. But not in the way you might think. This year, cakes are messy and imperfect. Some have tiers, some are domes—and did we mention that sheet cakes are back in a big way? Let’s just say, experimental is an understatement… And they’re the new must-have centerpiece at every wedding and party.
A spring wedding cake with cardamom, strawberry, vanilla, and dates, featuring fluffy swans by @dreamcaketestkitchen. Swans are having a moment, whether buttercream or meringue, and they’re a pretty accent to add to your wedding cake.
2024 cake trends: messy and fluffy
With the fluffy cake trends, messy, melty piped frosting makes a ruffled effect and dollops of buttercream add texture for a playful vibe. Blooms are layered throughout, long stems still attached, in asymmetrical and organic ways, as if they are wildflowers growing straight from the frosting.
Cake artist @by.gigi specializes in refined, sculptural cakes featuring intricate, artistic details. For this cake, she took a nod from the buttercream cake trend and opted for an imperfect style. And we love it just as much as her more structured designs!
Amy Yip of @yip.studio_ created this messy, melty layer cake featuring flowers and big pieces of fresh figs and strawberries.
Dome Cakes
Amy Yip is also known for her “carved rock” cakes, which helped launch the new dome cake trend:
A pink and red rock cake, expertly carved then adorned with just a few single stems.
With dome cakes, even the smallest surface area can pack a big punch. @maria___amaria‘s birthday cake features edible flowers and buttercream swirls.
Ranunculus and grasses “grow” from a pink and red Valentine’s Day inspired dome cake by @deaux_baker.
Naked Cakes
The naked cake lends itself beautifully to the more organic, imperfect cake trend with its alternating layers of yellow cake and creamy frosting. But the technique has evolved with flowers as sculptural details rather than simple accents.
Victoria sponge cake with strawberry sumac jam by @fromlucienyc.
@fromlucienyc crafted this 4-tier lemon olive oil cake with lavender Swiss meringue buttercream and lemon curd for a fall wedding.
Long Cakes
If you follow wedding trends, you know that long cakes exploded over the last year, with couples opting for cakes lining tables almost like runners. Innovative food and drink experiences are big in 2024, and a long cake offers up a more immersive guest experience.
An earl grey tea cake by @picnicbakedgoods, filled with lemon cream and finished in waves of vanilla bean Swiss.
Floral & Fruit
As evidenced by literally all of the above, 2024 cake trends are all about florals and fruit and how to decorate with them in different ways for bursts of texture and color. (Oh, and bows—always contending as a ‘garnish’, too.)
This dome cake by @butter.au was completely covered in a mound of blackberries, and when cut, beautiful layers of cake, frosting, and jam await.
We’d be reluctant to eat a cake by @tongtongcake, with their sculptural floral details.
@cakehouse.by.katrinaallan went all in with flowers, figs, and dried oranges in this gorgeous fall cake.
Sheet and Slab Cakes
As mentioned, sheet cakes are back for any occasion from a birthday party to a wedding, but they are elevated by vintage inspired piping, petals poking out every which way, and other whimsical adornments, like this pair by @joelle_eats_cake.
A slab cake is basically a canvas for the dreamiest abstract art made of frosting, fruit, and flowers. This cake by @sashimi1 features flavors of passionfruit, vanilla, and white chocolate.
Swirl Details
Dramatic piped swirls and waves complement the flowers and fruit for even more texture, in these cakes…
@sunday.flourshop‘s bright pink dahlia cake with little chamomiles and swirl detail.
@thecakeupartist used this technique in a fun technicolor palette with bright blooms and a wavy acyrlic cake topper.
Which new cake trend is your favorite? Would you opt for any of these styles for your wedding day?!
