Celebrating a birthday is a special occasion that calls for an extra-special cake. After all, it’s by far the most important aspect of that joyous occasion, apart from figuring out what to buy as a birthday gift of course. Whatever your preferences may be, there’s hardly anyone who could resist the temptation of indulging in a delicious piece of birthday cake – which is why it’s no wonder that there are so many different designs and variations to choose from.
Whether you’re looking for something fun, elegant, or whimsical, there’s bound to be a cake that matches your unique taste. Besides, figuring out what design you want for your birthday cake can be half the fun, with the other half coming from eating it. To help give you some inspiration for your next birthday bonanza, let’s take a look at some of the most popular options.
What Are Popular Birthday Cake Designs?
It’s worth noting that there’s no one “correct” or “best” design for birthday cakes – after all, it’s just as much about personal preference as it is about what looks just as good as it tastes. Stick to what you think would be the perfect cake for your big day, and you can’t go wrong.
Unicorns and Rainbows
If you’re looking for something magical, mystical, and downright delicious, look no further than a playful and vibrant unicorn and rainbow cake. It’s the kind of stuff that childhood dreams are made of, which is why they make for such great birthday cake designs.
Classic rainbow stripes are always a good idea, with colourful fondant or buttercream flowers providing a lovely and delicate contrast. You can even add some edible glitter to really make your cake pop, however, be warned that it might get a little messy. But then again, what’s a rainbow birthday cake without a little bit of icing and glitter all over the place?
Similarly, intricate unicorn figurines offer mystical and dreamy appeal, effectively turning the cake into a magical centrepiece. Whether you prefer to use fondant or buttercream for your unicorn decorations, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that will delight both young and old alike. Some even feature rainbow-coloured manes and tails, resulting in a charming birthday addition that will surely capture everyone’s attention. These subtle details can go a long way in making your cake stand out, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
In any case, a unicorn and rainbow cake is perfect for those who want something both delightful and scrumptious, with a good dose of childhood nostalgia thrown in for good measure. The balanced mix of colours, flavours, and textures makes for a birthday dessert that’s hard to resist. Who’s to say you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
Flowers and Shapes
For something a little more subdued but no less gorgeous, opt for a birthday cake decorated with flowers and shapes. This particular design is perfect for those who prefer a more elegant look, although it can be just as fun and eye-catching as any other type of cake.
The decorative flowers can be made from either real or artificial blooms, depending on what you prefer. If you’re using real flowers, make sure that they’re properly sanitized before adding them to the cake. You can ensure that they stay fresh while on the cake by using a cut flower food that preserves their appearance and extends their longevity.
If you’re not too keen on using real flowers, you can always go for fondant or gumpaste petals instead. Fondant flowers offer a lovely and realistic look, while gumpaste blooms are sturdier and provide more stability.
Meanwhile, the shapes can be anything from simple geometric designs to more complex floral patterns. They can be adorned with edible glitter, beads, or other shiny elements to add a little bit of extra sparkle and shine.
Animals
Animal-themed birthday cakes have long been a constant presence at birthday parties, and for good reason too. Who doesn’t love all of the adorable cuteness that comes with these tiny creatures?
Whether you prefer your cakes to be more realistic or cartoon-like in design, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to animal-themed cakes. You have the freedom to choose the level of detail that you want to include, from subtle and understated to elaborate lines and clear features.
Cartoon Characters
For fans of all things cartoon-related, a cake featuring your favourite characters is definitely the way to go. Whether it’s a Disney character or an obscure anime character, there are plenty of ways that you can incorporate your favourite characters into the design of your cake.
It’s safe to say that there’s no better way to show your love for a particular character than by having their likeness adorning your birthday cake. If you’re not too sure how to go about creating the design, consult with professional cake decorators who can help turn your vision into a reality.
Superheroes
Action-packed and full of excitement, superhero cakes offer the ideal blend of fun and fantasy. With modern superhero movies and TV shows enjoying immense popularity, it’s no surprise that fans of these characters want to make them a part of their birthday celebrations.
Whether you’re a fan of Superman or Wonder Woman, Iron Man or Captain America, you have the chance to revel in your favourite character’s awesomeness and epicness by having them on your cake. With all of the amazing characters to choose from, you can even go a step further and have multiple heroes or villains adorning your cake.
Sports and AFL
Sports fans will be thrilled to have a sports-themed birthday cake for their celebration. Whether you’re a fan of football, basketball, or any other sport, you can have your favourite players or teams represented on your cake. Imagine having your favourite AFL team’s logo or colours on your cake – talk about a dream come true!
For those who are looking for something a little bit different, you can even have sports equipment such as balls, bats, or racquets as part of the design. Regardless of what you choose, you’re sure to score some points with your guests with a sports-themed birthday cake.
