We will never knock a classic carrot cake; but sometimes, you just need something modern, fresh and inspiring to take your baking from 1919 to 2019. Here are 2019’s top cake trends to keep you in the know.
Mirror Glaze Cakes
We all gasped when we saw mirror-glazed cakes take off on Instragram and Pinterest in 2016. And it seems these reflective beauties are only gaining more momentum this year. Mirror-glazed cakes are covered in a reflective topping that gives the cake a beautiful, shiny and smooth effect. Be careful though, this technique is like using fondant: it’s beautiful to look at but can be quite gummy to the mouth. So, always add some extra flavour to your glaze to ensure that it tastes as good as it looks. If you’re feeling creative, give this chocolate matcha mirror-glaze cake recipe a try.
Taste the Middle East
When foodie guru and super-chef Yotam Ottolenghi released his dessert cookbook Sweet last year, it triggered renewed global interest in Middle Eastern flavour profiles. From the subtle perfume of rosewater to the rounded nuttiness of pistachio, this trend uses traditional Arabic-inspired ingredients to give new life to cakes, biscuits and sweets. Give our melt-in-the-mouth cardamom biscuits a bash.
Gluten and Dairy BE GONE!
Health is another topic that is gaining interest worldwide with more and more people looking to satisfy their sweet tooth without the tummy-tossing allergens. Now you can get brilliant gluten-free flours to bake almost anything with! Simply swop out wheat flour for a similar gluten-free substitute and you’re good to go. Just remember to add xantham gum or something similar to ensure you get that nice glutinous elasticity you expect from wheat flour. On the other hand, dairy is also easy to replace – just use another dairy-free substitute and make sure to use Stork Margarine instead of butter.
Beautiful Blooms
Yep, the naked-iced-cake-topped-with-flowers-trend is not going anywhere. Fortunately, South Africans have the advantage of enjoying regular access to gorgeous gardens and parks; so, put the cake in the oven and head over to your closest green space to grab some free decor. Just make sure these plants are non-toxic before decorating your cake!
Done by hand
The line between art and food is constantly blurring; so, you can let your inner painter shine with the “edible art” trend. From hand-painted messages in calligraphy to fine detail, you would be amazed what you can do with fondant, a brush and some edible paint.
All these glorious cakes can be made in the comfort of your own kitchen, if you’re feeling slightly creative, that is! Which one will you try first?
