My Top Cake Trends for 2026
Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Meagan McQueen
When I wrote my first cake trends post in 2024, I felt like we were seeing major shifts in cake design and I wanted to document the change. This year, I’m predicting similar silhouettes to my 2025 cake trend predictions with more artistry in the design elements. Simple, delicious looking cakes are still popular but I see more of our couples opting for a bit of opulence and personalized details that make their cake and wedding unique.
Here are my predictions for what we’ll be seeing more of in 2026:
I have also been seeing more couples deciding what’s important to them and skipping out on traditions that don’t feel necessary. We made a LOT of vintage heart cakes with “just married” on top last year, and I was grateful to have options in our online shop for couples who wanted a fun, celebratory cake and didn’t want to stress about the details.
I’m curious to see what the design of the season is going to be this year. We’re considering adding a small table runner cake to our online shop, so maybe that one will appeal to couples looking for something current and fun.
Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Killer Creations
Single Tier Cakes, the Bigger the Better
We made quite a few of these show stoppers in 2025 including one very popular painted buttercream floral version that you’ll almost certainly recognize. I think these non-traditional silhouettes will continue to gain in popularity this year and we’re just getting started when it comes to the design and display possibilities. I’ve seen some oval versions that look beautiful but I’m not sure how far that will take off unless someone starts making huge oval cake pans. I think over time, the design variations on one tier cakes will vary just as much as the designs on tiered cakes. Also, if you make tiramisu, this is your year.
Top left: Cake and photo by Sweet Heather Anne
Top right: Cake by Commonwealth Cake Co.
Upper middle left: Cake by La Creme
Middle right: Cakes by Jibaker BBK
Lower middle left: Cakes by New June Bakery
Bottom right: Cake by The Cake and I
Bottom left: Cake by Centa Studio
Want to make your own long table runner cake? Check our Guide to Successful Long Table Runner Cakes and our upcoming in-person Painted Buttercream Long Cake Intensive.
Vintage Vibes
Vintage cakes are here to stay and I love the variety I’m seeing from cake designers. We’ve had a lot of fun mixing in piped embroidery, buttercream painting, piped buttercream flowers, and even piped elements inspired by hand-drawn invitations with a playful illustrative style. I love that vintage cakes can go from completely kitschy and over the top to very elegant and refined, depending on the piping style. This year, I think we’ll see more tone on tone designs in bold colors like chartreuse, deep red, plum, and silver and more experiments with piping tips that deviate from a traditional lambeth style to create unique designs.
Top Left: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Cat Carty Buswell
Top Right: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Blaine Seisser
Middle Left: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Jean Smith Photography
Middle Right: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Megan Hannon Photography
Bottom Left: Cake by Anna Lewis Cake Design
Bottom Right: Cake by Sweet Gee Bakes
Baroque Details
Maybe this is going to be everywhere or maybe I’ve just been obsessing over everything Cake Opera Co. has been posting lately. Either way, I think Baroque details are poised to see a revival as they are a natural extension of vintage cake designs and fit well with the general opulence I’ve been seeing in 2026 wedding trends. Speaking of Cake Opera Co., they just came out with an amazing line of molds if you’re looking for a place to start. Check-out our stress free mold technique for tips.
If molds aren’t your thing, piping can give a similar feel in a fraction of the time. Multiple clients have brought us AI inspiration for cakes fully covered in intricate moulding. While that would technically be possible, I have been steering clients towards piping as a beautiful way to achieve a similar look that is a bit more friendly for both their budget and our sanity. I also love the challenge of using my own hands to make something more compelling than the AI inspiration.
Top Left: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Shelby Lynn Studios
Top Right: Cake by Sweet Salt
Middle Left: Cake by Madama Cake
Middle Right: Cake by Velvet Valley Cakes
Bottom Left: Cake by Batticake.Flowercake
Bottom Right: Cake by Cake Opera Co.
Silver!
This one feels a little surreal for me. When I started making wedding cakes in 2010, silver felt dated and gold details were trendy and new. Now, suddenly, silver is back and it feels fresh in a way that I could have never gotten behind in my early years. I especially love the way it adds dimension to vintage designs.
Top Left: Cake by ECBG Cake Studio
Top Right: Cake by Cake Opera Co.
Middle Left: Cake by Casa Gioia
Middle Right: Cake by G Cakes
Bottom Left: Cake by Butter Bakery
Bottom Right: Cake by Sofia’s Cake Studio
Short, Wide Tiers
This is another one I never thought I’d see come back, but I’m finding myself suggesting short, wide tiers over the tall skinny silhouettes we have been suggesting for years. My current favorite silhouette is a very short, wide, two-tier cake. You have a little more room for design than a large, one-tier cake and you still get the dramatic effect of a huge cake.
Top Left: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Tianna Samone Creatives
Top Right: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Cat Carty Buswell
Bottom Left: Cake by Butter Bakery
Bottom Right: Cake by Mimosa Posy Studio
Fruit Everywhere
This will come as no surprise if you’ve made it this far in the post. Fruit is everywhere and I’m here for it. I especially love how Reverie Deli works it into her piped designs and I’d like to explore that more this year. I also love the idea of fruit sculptures and cute little fruit icons if they fit with the general vibe of the event.
Top Left: Cake by Sweet Heather Anne, Photo by Quik Pix
Top Right: Cake by Le Novelle Cake
Middle: Cake by Migalha Doce
Bottom Left: Cake by The Cake and I
Bottom Right: Cakes by Reverie Deli
Thanks to all the amazing cake designers out there who continue to experiment and share their voices. I can’t wait to see what everybody comes up with in 2026!
More wedding cake trends that I think we’ll see in 2026
Drapery (both fondant and buttercream)
Sculptural Cakes
Buttercream Texture (especially with piping tips!)
A cake moment with candles
Lace
Monochrome, especially in rich or bold colors
Stripes in Unexpected Color Palettes
Horses
Wafer Paper Flowers (Beata’s method!)
Buttercream Painting! (because we love it and think you will too!)
Large Tiramisu or other Non-Cake Statement Dessert
Whatever you’re dreaming up next! 💛
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