16 Unique Birthday Cake Designs For Adults You Have To See
This post is all about the best birthday cake designs for adults.
Elevate your homemade cakes with these stunning birthday cake design tips!
When I make a homemade birthday cake I 100% use a box cake, no shame. There’s a time and place for baking items from scratch but I’m generally more excited about the decorating part of making a birthday cake!
My main focus is making it look one of a kind and memorable for the recipient! If you love that process as well (or are simply intrigued by it) you will love the birthday cake designs and tips on this list.
I am not a pro baker by any means so each of the tips on this list will be beginner-friendly yet still stunning to really wow the Birthday person (or to make a stunning cake for yourself!)!
Unique Birthday Cake Designs For Adults
1. Cutesy bows
Bows are having a big moment right now and I am so obsessed with the delicate touch they add to a birthday cake!
Unfortunately, edible bows don’t exist (unless you make them with frosting!) but drape a simple cake with a few bows for a cutesy birthday look.
2. Gold flakes for an elegant birthday cake
Have a metallic moment with gold flakes! Better yet, cover your entire cake with edible gold paint for a shiny but yummy birthday treat.
To be completely honest, I have never used this paint so I don’t have any good tips for using it but I just had to have it on the list. It’s too pretty not to include.
Your friends will be stunned by such a unique cake!
3. Chaos cakes
Minimalism has it’s place but sometimes maximalism is the way to go.
Collect all sorts of fruits, glitter, and fun candles to create a hodge podge cake full of character. The more colors and textures the better! Add in sour candy, crunchy coconut flakes, or even edible flowers.
Chaos cakes are perfect for your artsy friends who will appreciate the creativity you brought to their birthday masterpiece!
4. Decoco cake or vintage cake
I think the official term for these are Lambeth or Victorian piped cakes but either way they are absolutely beautiful.
The key to creating a cake like this is to pick up a piping kit like this one to create all of the different styles of piping. Patience will be your best friend as you put together this dessert.
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5. Heart garden instead of candles
Cut out paper hearts (or whatever shape you prefer, stars would be super cute too!) to create a cake with different levels.
Use toothpicks or skewers to attach the hearts and adjust the sticks so that they are at varying levels to keep things interesting.
If you aren’t a fan of candles, these are a great alternative.
6. Sparkly cherry cake
Dust your cherries with this pink edible glitter for eclectic cake decor!
I love the whimsical look of the cherries and they add a bit of variety to your cake without being super complicated.
7. Layered rainbow cake
Don’t be intimidated by this one! I promise it is still beginner-friendly, it just isn’t the fastest process.
Basically you need to divide your cake batter into separate bowls and add your food coloring. Bake each color separately, stack the cake slabs, and carve them into a circle.
Add your desired frosting to the outside and that’s it!
8. Simple heart pattern cake
I love that with this cake you can simply pick up a blank cake from the grocery store if you want!
Decorate it with a simple pattern like hearts, polka dots, or stars, and add a sweet message to the top.
It’s simple but it elevates a bland cake to a more personalized one.
9. Mini banner on birthday cake
Birthday banners may be part of your party decor so why not make a mini one for the top of your cake?! All you need is two skewers, twine or ribbon, and construction paper.
You can add their name to the banner, a funny message, or a simple “Happy Birthday”. Either way, the added height will make your simple cake look more grand.
10. Fruit and florals
Whip up a simple white cake and adorn it with an abundance of flowers and fruit.
I love the natural color that it brings if you aren’t a fan of food coloring!
Edible flowers for cakes
- Roses
- Pansies
- Nasturtiums
- Marigolds
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Cornflowers
- Hibiscus
- Orchids
- Violets
*Avoid toxic look-alikes when it comes to cake decorating with edible flowers! Try to buy organic flowers and make sure to wash them thoroughly before decorating with them!
11. Pastel florals
Turn your cake into a canvas! If you have ever seen those paintings that look like they are 3d this is the vibe we’re going for.
The flowers you create don’t have to be perfect since the whimsical look is what we’re aiming for. This also keeps it beginner-friendly (;
Use thick icing and the back of a spoon to get those rounded petals!
12. Stencil hearts
Whether you want to prepare individual cake slices or a regular full-sized cake this technique will work for both!
Start with a blank cake and then add a cutout to the top (like a heart shape made with construction paper). Use cocoa powder or powdered sugar to sprinkle all over the cake.
When you lift the paper stencil you will have a perfect heart!
13. Fruit pile cake
Pick up all of their favorite fruits and pile them on top!
I love natural decor like this since you can eat it or compost it!
It adds some variety and color but doesn’t use those plastic birthday cake toppers.
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14. Candles as the focal point
If all else fails and you don’t love the cake decor you create simply scrape it and opt for candles that wow!
Whether you want candles that sparkle or tall ones that really extend off of your cake they can really save your cake if your creative vision doesn’t pan out. It happens to the best of us!
15. Fondont stripes
Fondont is an incredible option for beginners because it almost works like the playdough you used as a kid!
Lay it flat and cut stripes to attach it to the icing on your cake. This is WAY easier than trying to get those perfect lines by freehanding it with icing!
16. Combine multiple cake decorating styles
I know we already discussed chaos cakes but I wanted to round out the post with a reminder that adding variety, different colors, and textures can be so fun and truly create a unique cake!
Skip the boring sheet cakes and spend some extra time putting a little more love and attention into your cake!
The birthday recipient will really appreciate it and it is a wonderful way to slow down and enjoy a creative moment to yourself!
Happy baking!
Have any other simple birthday cake designs? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about birthday cake designs for adults.
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