Top 35 Best Cake Decorating Ideas

These are the Best Cake Decorating Ideas to make you look like a pro. Baking for a special occasion and want to make a cake look as impressive as possible? I've got you covered. This list of cake-decorating ideas will give you all the inspiration you need.

Jump to:

• Best Cake Decorating Ideas
• 1.  Strawberry Charlotte Cake
• 2. Yule log
• 3. American Flag Cake
• 4. Strawberry Crunch Cake
• 5. Biscoff Cake
• 6. Lemon Meringue Loaf Cake
• 7. Mango Mousse Cake
• 8. Napoleon Cake
• 9. Pink Cake
• 10. Ferrero Rocher Cake
• 11. Pecan Upside Down Cake
• 12. Peach Cake
• 13. Christmas Tree Cake
• 14. Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake
• 15. Fraisier cake
• 16. Hazelnut Cake
• 17. Rainbow Cake
• 18. Brûlée Orange and Cream Cheese Pound Cake
• 19. Shag Cake
• 20. Wallpaper Cake
• 21. Coquito Cake With Lights
• 22. Raffaello Cake
• 23. Floral Cake
• 24. Number Cake
• 25. Funfetti Cake
• 26. Mirror Glaze Cherry Cake
• 27. Unicorn Cake
• 28. Pinata Cake
• 29. Lemon Slice Fault Line Cake
• 30. Vanilla Naked Cake 
• 31. Drip Cake
• 32. Comic/Cartoon Cake
• 33. Ombre Cake
• 34. Spatula Painted Cake
• 35. Brushstroke Cake
• Expert Tips On Decorating Cakes
• Cake Decorating FAQs
• Related Cake Recipes
• Best Cake Decorating Ideas

A simple sponge cake is delicious on its own, but slathered with beautiful piped frosting, garnishes, and decorations, it becomes something else entirely. Find your favorite idea and get baking!

Best Cake Decorating Ideas

1.  Strawberry Charlotte Cake

Beautiful ladyfingers adorn the outside of this super pretty cake, crowned with a tower of whole, fresh strawberries. Adding decorations (ladyfingers in this case) to the sides of cakes is a great way to add visual interest as well as extra taste and texture. Also, the inside of this cake is filled with silky smooth vanilla-flavored Créme mousseline, so you should definitely make it!

2. Yule log

Make a yule log during the holidays and decorate it to resemble an actual log or like this fancy version with colorful flavored frosting and chocolate decorations. The thick pistachio chocolate ganache has such an amazing color; it's so easy but creates a brilliant effect. Easy white chocolate star decorations are dusted with freeze-dried raspberry powder for another splash of color as well as a delicious taste.

3. American Flag Cake

A sheet cake gives so much opportunity for simple cake decorating ideas as you have a large, flat surface to work with. This easy flag design is a perfect way to celebrate America's birthday, but you can swap it for other flags, designs, writing, or pictures. Use frostings, sprinkles, candy, and marshmallows to create a perfect visual effect that tastes delicious, too.

4. Strawberry Crunch Cake

The strawberry crunch trend shows no signs of slowing down, and you can use it to your advantage by turning it into an easy way to decorate cake! Pressing this easy strawberry shortcake crumble into the sides of a delicious frosted cake is a really tasty (and crunchy) cake decorating idea.

5. Biscoff Cake

Your favorite crushed cookies also work really well as cake decorations. And this is one of those simple cake decorating ideas at home that kids can help with. You can even double down and make your own Biscoff spread for the filling and frosting!

And if you're a Biscoff lover, try these other Biscoff desserts.

6. Lemon Meringue Loaf Cake

Silky Swiss meringue frosting is the ultimate in luxury texture, and you can use it as decoration in a variety of ways. Here, it is simply smoothed on top of a cake and then styled into peaks with a spatula.

But whilst Swiss meringue is delicious as it is, you can also toast meringue with a kitchen torch for a different look. Grated lemon zest adds some more color as well as a refreshing citrus flavor.

7. Mango Mousse Cake

The beautiful, defined layers of mousse cake have to be seen to be believed! Delicate mousse is poured on top of a light and fluffy sponge cake with an easy marble effect before being decorated with fresh mango pieces, piped cream frosting, and sprigs of fresh mint. This is simple cake decorating at its most refined.

8. Napoleon Cake

Crushed, flaky puff pastry is a great way to decorate cakes, like in this delectable Napolean cake which is a classic European dessert. You can make a traditional puff pastry, or a rough puff pastry, or simply buy ready made puff pastry sheets at the grocery store. This makes it such an easy cake decorating idea, yet very visually appealing.

And if you've never tried Napolean cake before, be sure to make this puff pastry dessert. You certainly won't regret it!

9. Pink Cake

Tall layer cakes with contrasting filling and piped frosting are always a showstopper visually. The marbled piped frosting is a very easy way to elevate the appearance, and you can make any color combination you like. But this pink cake is the perfect way to decorate a cake for a baby shower dessert.

10. Ferrero Rocher Cake

Using your favorite candy as the theme for a cake and as decoration as well is such a great way to do it. Richy and nutty chocolate frosting is topped with Ferrero Rocher, which makes it so imperious and impressive. Arguably, it's like a chocolate castle! This is the perfect cake decorating idea to make a statement on the dessert table or splash out for a special occasion.

11. Pecan Upside Down Cake

An upside-down pecan dessert is a surefire way to create a stir, with the caramelized pecans creating a beautiful and appetizing finish on the top. This simple cake decoration is elevated by an easy powdered sugar ring around the cake's edge, which really emphasizes the nuts in the middle and makes them pop.

12. Peach Cake

The set layer of compote topping on this peach cake is such a cool way of decorating cakes. You will need a couple of bits of kit to create the effect (I use a Mousse cake ring, but a spring form pan works, too), but other than that, it is super simple.

The compote has whole pieces of fruit in it as well as fresh thyme, and it really is a beautiful effect to create on top of simple sponge cakes. What's more, it packs in more flavor, too.

13. Christmas Tree Cake

I'm not sure you can get a more obvious and festive cake decorating idea than to theme your cake around your favorite holiday. This Christmas tree-shaped cake is made from layers of chocolate sponge like a fir tree, covered in piped pistachio whipped ganache. Certainly, it's a showstopper!

14. Chocolate Orange Bundt Cake

Baking in a bundt pan is another way of making the decoration part of the cake itself. The sponge can be simple, but the shape makes it special and decorative. You can top it with a glaze or frosting and some candied fruit or nuts for even more impact.

If you need tips on getting cake out of a bundt pan, read my guide.

15. Fraisier cake

This has to be one of the most beautiful ways to decorate a cake, with slices of fresh strawberries pressed into the sides. And what you might not realize is how easy it is! You'll need a few simple bits of kit but nothing fancy, and then the strawberries do the talking. Everyone will think you bought this cake in a fancy French patisserie when actually it is an effect very easily done at home.

16. Hazelnut Cake

A healthy dose of chopped nuts is surely one of the easiest ways to decorate a cake, hands down. Cover the whole surface of the cake frosting with some elegant whipped ganache piping too, or create a pattern. It's up to you!

17. Rainbow Cake

Rainbow cake is THE most fun and frivolous way to decorate a cake. Layers of different color sponges in rainbow colors are stacked on top of one another so that when the cake is sliced, the rainbow is revealed. I show you how to make matching piped rainbow frosting, too, to complement the look.

18. Brûlée Orange and Cream Cheese Pound Cake

If you have a kitchen torch, you have a great tool for decorating cakes. A pile of simple oranges on top of a cake adds a pop of color, and lightly torching them gives both an elevated look and an intensely sweet and caramelized flavor.

19. Shag Cake

Whilst a 70's shag carpet might not seem like cake decoration inspiration, you'd be amazed. The effect and the name are always a conversation starter! But as tricky as it might look, it is so easy to replicate with the right color palette and piping tips.

20. Wallpaper Cake

Now, file this one under cake decorating ideas for adults because it will take a bit of skill and patience. But the result is phenomenal. You will need some pretty specialist kit, including edible paper and ink, plus access to a local edible printer. Perhaps a project to work on for a super special occasion?

21. Coquito Cake With Lights

How adorable is this holiday string light decoration on top of a cake? Made from simple lines of piped cake frosting and sugar almonds, it is also very quick and easy.

22. Raffaello Cake

Desiccated coconut, or shredded coconut, is a super easy way to add texture to a cake. And texture is so important when it comes to how a cake looks on the stand or how it feels when you take a bite! Coconut goes well with white chocolate, nuts, and fruits, so it is also a very versatile cake decorating ingredient or edible garnish.

23. Floral Cake

Piped buttercream flowers are one of the most quintessentially beautiful ways to decorate cakes. Colorful petals and leaf designs create a garden on the frosting; it really is stunning. Learning how to use various piping nozzles is key here, but once you have mastered a few easy piping techniques, you can use them on so many cakes and desserts.

24. Number Cake

Looking for cake decorating ideas for birthday parties and need a beautifully decorated cake from scratch? A number cake is perhaps the way to go. Two layers of sponge cake make the number shape, and you can fill it with whatever flavor you prefer to give it some height.

It's super simple but effective, and you can cover it with the favorite fruit or snacks of whoever's birthday it is.

25. Funfetti Cake

Who else loves Funfetti? You can sprinkle it over everything from cookies and brownies, and it makes it way more fun and colorful. Add some Funfetti to the sponge batter as well to double down on the effect. If you're feeling super pro, pipe mounds of frosting on top of the cake as well, but really, Funfetti by itself is an easy way to decorate a cake in minutes. I'd certainly say it's also one of the cake decorating ideas for kids to do themselves.

26. Mirror Glaze Cherry Cake

A mirror glaze cake is a total showstopper. The shiny glaze is so reflective, you can practically see your face in it! This is another cake decorating idea that will leave guests reeling, and you'll have to convince them that you actually made it yourself.

27. Unicorn Cake

Any kid's birthday party is incomplete without a unicorn cake. And all you need is a bit of icing, some food coloring, and some ice cream cones! This cake will surely wow everyone at a party and make it super special. When it comes to kids' birthday cake decorating, this is surely the design for you.

28. Pinata Cake

Surely, kids and grown-ups alike will love the surprise filling in this pinata cake. As you cut a slice, the filling spills out! This is a common cake decorating idea for gender reveal parties, as the candy inside can be pink or blue to signify the baby's gender.

29. Lemon Slice Fault Line Cake

How cool is this cake decorating idea? A fault line effect in a cake is super impressive, especially when filled with fresh fruit. Also, it really isn't hard to do! I love the oversized decoration on top of this cake, too. Whole lemons and the big green leaves contrast beautifully against the creamy frosting and make the fault line decoration stand out even more.

30. Vanilla Naked Cake 

The bare cake trend went wild a few years ago and shows no sign of slowing down. The naked sponge cake layers and filling are clearly visible through a very fine crumb coating, and then beautiful floral garnishes and fresh fruit create a splash of color.

It's one of the more rustic cake decoration ideas, but it always looks so elegant and beautiful on the table. Many brides now look to this trend for their wedding cakes, and it isn't hard to see why.

31. Drip Cake

This surely has to be one of the easiest cake decorating ideas out there. But creating a perfect drip cake is something that people are often nervous about doing. The good news is that you don't have to be; simply follow this guide, and your next baking session will result in a stunning cake with a dripping frosting effect to wow everyone. Color the frosting in a pretty hue that contrasts with the base color for the best visual.

32. Comic/Cartoon Cake

No one can ever believe a cartoon cake. This cake decorating trend went down in viral TikTok history when it jumped onto the baking scene last year. Viewers were astounded by it and didn't think it was real! But believe me, it is. And you can make a comic cake yourself by following this recipe with cake decorating tips.

33. Ombre Cake

Creating an ombre effect arguably looks like a beautiful sunset but on a cake. This tutorial shows you how to decorate cakes using a color fade from top to bottom. Whilst it might look super professional, it's actually a lot easier to do than you might think.

34. Spatula Painted Cake

Bring out your inner artist with this idea for decorating cakes. Choose an array of colors that either match the theme of a special event or perhaps just because they're your favorite. But whilst this cake looks good enough to eat, people might be afraid to ruin it! You'd better eat the first slice to encourage them.

35. Brushstroke Cake

This is surely a work of art. Create a brushstroke effect with sugar frosting in a palate of colors to make this stunning cake decorating idea. It could almost look like the wings of a tropical bird and will certainly add a splash of color to even the most basic buttercream frosting.

Expert Tips On Decorating Cakes

1. Invest in piping bags and some basic piping nozzles like a Wilton 1m, so that you can pipe easy decorations onto cakes and make them look professional with hardly any effort. Practice on a plate first, before moving to the cake itself.
2. Food coloring added to frosting can really go a long way in making a cake look fantastic. I always recommend using high-quality gel food coloring.
3. Utilize edible flowers, which add color as well as flavor and look super pretty.
4. Crunchy pieces of crumbled meringue are a great cake topping, as they give added texture and can be colored easily!
5. Add fresh fruit as a garnish. Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries all go really well with chocolate cakes or vanilla cakes. Orange and lemon slices add a splash of color as well as fresh citrus flavor.
6. Sprinkling over some white chocolate or dark chocolate shavings is another one of my favorite ways to add a professional touch to cakes. Place the chocolate bar in the freezer for 20 minutes first so it is really chilled.
7. If all else fails, a dusting of powdered sugar goes a long way to making a cake look professional! Place a tablespoon into a fine sugar sieve and gently tap it over the top of your cake.

Cake Decorating FAQs

Related Cake Recipes