Cake Trends On The Rise In 2024, According To A Pastry Chef
Prepare to see bows, meringue, and more.
Courtesy Larissa Neto
Trends are far from limited to just fashion. The food world cycles through fads and styles just like any other industry, and this is especially true with cake decorating. Cupcakes were once the trendiest item to have at both big celebrations like weddings, but also as dessert while hosting a small dinner party or gathering. (I should know, I used to work at one of the most popular cupcake shops in America.)
But just as shoulder pads were gradually removed from garments, cupcakes have taken a back seat to other cake styles, from naked cakes, to more recently, Victorian or Lambeth piped cakes. We asked a pastry chef to weigh in and describe some of the new cake trends she has seen gaining popularity.
Meet The Expert
Caitlyn Cox is the pastry chef at RT Lodge in Tennessee. She describes her own style as modern grandma, having worked at other well-loved and lauded locales like Henrietta Red and Back in The Day Bakery. In addition to handling the delicious pastry, baked goods, and desserts for the restaurant, she also designs and creates cakes for weddings and events.
Courtesy Larissa Neto
Lambeth Piping
This trend is notable for its intricate design consisting of multiple styles of layered piping (ruffles, shells, you name it) looped around the top, sides, and base of a cake.
“This reminds me of my grandmother and her wedding cake and the trend is regaining momentum due to just that...nostalgia,” says Cox.
Nostalgia is a theme we often see in food—from retro recipes making a comeback, to chefs paying homage to family recipes. This style is especially popular with wedding cakes. "We had a bride match the color of her grandmother’s dress to the lambeth piped cake so it would come full circle during the cake cutting ceremony—it’s sweet, sentimental, and classic."
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones
Large Format Cakes
Multi-layer cakes are a thing of the past. Okay, not entirely. But large format sheet cakes are increasingly more popular. Just because they aren’t stacked high doesn’t mean they can’t impress. In fact, many are ornately covered in Lambeth piping, or stretch to impressively long lengths (just look at this example that clocks in at four and half feet).
"These kinds of cakes are becoming a trend due to couples wanting a true 'wow factor.' Instead of a wedding cake that’s five feet tall, they’re going in the opposite direction and requesting them five feet in length or diameter—allowing for couples to play around with not only the look of it, but the flavors,” says Cox.
Brunch Cakes
Who says cakes have to be made of buttercream and layers of sponge? Not today’s modern brides. A cake is what you make of it, and brunch cakes, whimsical takes on the format using breakfast or brunch foods, are the kind of playful spin we’re here for.
“Made for the relaxed day-wedding couple that wants to enjoy the day and leave out the formality, these can be ideal. Whether it be a tiered cake made of cinnamon rolls or crepes, it allows room for whimsy and flavor over formality. Couples are focused on the food they want to eat and building their entire wedding day timeline around that," Cox says.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
Layered Meringue Cakes
Stacked layers of meringue are one of our favorite ways to mix up dessert. Our Snowy Christmas Pavlova is just one example of how crisp layers of baked meringue can be sandwiched with fillings (everything from curds, to fresh fruit, pastry cream, and more) and stacked into an elegant design.
“Light, airy, and soft in appearance, these are easily linked to the minimalist bridal aesthetic. Encouraging another alternative to cake, but still keeping with the traditional white dessert, it acts as a great balance between classic and taking more of a risk,” says Cox.
Cox also noted how meringue is naturally gluten-free, which makes accommodating guests with dietary restrictions a little easier.
Bows
Sarah Jessica Parker brought the hair bow back and now that fashion trend has trickled into cake designs. Just look how stunning rhubarb bows look on this cake.
“When it comes to design, the food world parallels the fashion world, and we are on the bow trend, too. I have seen cake's being covered in bows made of buttercream, candied orange peels, or even real ribbons attached to the sides of a cake. That feminine touch makes for a beautiful decoration for any occasion,” says Cox.
Passion Fruit
If there’s a single trendy flavor that stands out to Cox, it’s passion fruit. That's something David Tamarkin, editorial director of King Arthur Baking Company, also mentioned when we asked him about upcoming baking trends in 2024.
Cox has even incorporated the tropical fruit into her desserts at RT Lodge. “We have a passion fruit meringue pie on the menu at the moment, which is an updated version of lemon meringue,” says Cox.
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