Cake Textures and Finishes

Cake textures and finishes play a big part in cake design and adding certain icing finishes has become increasingly popular, particularly on wedding cakes.

Textures, finishes and mixed design elements can elevate an elegant smooth finished cake to a new level of edible art. These adornments make a truly beautiful photo-worthy cake.

In this blog we explore different kinds of textures, finishes and effects:

• Drip
• Ruffles
• Floral
• Quilted
• Dragees
• Stencil
• Confetti
• Gold Leaf
• Crystal Flakes
• Shimmer
• Swags
• Watercolour and Airbrush
• Lustre
• Bark
• Lace
• Concrete or Torn Textures

Drip

The most popular cake finish we do is the drip. Usually done in chocolate, this decadent finish is ideal for any celebration.

See our drip cake blog for more details

Ruffles

Ruffles or frills create a beautiful scrunched fabric-like cake texture. They come in different forms and look great in any colour.

Each ruffle is rolled out, cut, and depending on the type of ruffle might be individually textured. Ruffles are a labour of love as they take time but look stunning when finished.  We can even create an ombre effect, which looks beautiful! These are great for all types of cake and are popular for wedding cakes.

Floral Textures

A romantic addition to any cake, our flower textures look stunning. Floral textures are introduced as ruffles, mixed florals, applique or with the use of moulds.

Quilted

Quilting is the impression of tessellated diamonds into the sugarpaste. Most often with a sugar pearl or dragee at the join. Quilted cake textures suit all occasions (see some of our quilted wedding cakes), a simple texture that elevates a cake to look sophisticated and elegant.

Dragees / Sprinkles

Dragees are tiny sugar balls, sometimes called sugar pearls. They come in various different sizes in metallic, white or coloured options. These can be used as individual decorations to partially or completely cover a whole tier.

Sprinkles or 100’s and 1000’s are miniature sugar strands, shapes or micro edible balls.

Sprinkles and dragees are most often found on kid’s cakes or cupcakes.

Fun fact: Sprinkles are called funfetti in America which we think is a great name!

Stencil

Stencilling was a fashionable trend in the 90s and is making a comeback! This texture creates a beautiful finish, which can be bold or intricate and in various colours. Often a texture in the same colour as the cake looks beautiful.

Confetti

This is a real party texture. These are tiny sugar discs with a subtle shimmer finish. Confetti comes in white, gold or rainbow colours. Cheaper than dragees, these can cover a cake completely or as a cascaded effect to give a fun and interesting texture.

Gold and Silver Leaf

Gold leaf is a luxurious finish. This metallic finish can be done as a whole tier, or sporadically placed on a cake to add an eyecatching effect. Gold and silver leaf is non-toxic and safe to eat, copper leaf however should not be consumed.

Crystal Flakes

A relatively new texture, these shimmering edible flakes adds texture and elevates a simple cake into an eye-catching centrepiece.

Glitter

These micro glitter squares add an amazing glittery effect to cakes. They are very fine and catch the light. Great if you want a touch of glitter, shimmer or bling, without being too austentacious.

Swags

We can create swags of icing, placed equidistant around the edge of a cake they give a regal texture, often popular on our princess or wedding cakes. We can also fold the icing to resemble draped fabric hanging down the cake in swags.

Watercolour and Airbrushing

With food colouring we can add a watercolour effect to your cake. This is either sponged or airbrushed onto fondant. It is a great effect to add some fun, inject some colour and give the cake a more rustic or vibrant effect.

Lustre

Lustre finishes are completely smooth and give a subtle metallic or pearlescent effect to your cake.

Bark

For something completely different we can even make the cake look like bark. Either a knarly old tree stump or a light, bright silver birch, who knew there were so many different types of bark? This realistic texture makes these cakes a real talking piece; wonderful for a rustic wedding.

Lace

Cake lace is an edible icing containing glucose and starch. It begins as a paste which is poured in pretty moulds. Once set it keeps its shape but is soft and flexible allowing it to wrap around a cake. It creates a beautiful texture with added glamour.

If you want to know more about cake textures please get in touch

Concrete or Torn Textures

A modern technique making the cake look like it is a concrete texture. For a more subtle finish, tearing the fondant and painting the edges gold, creates a modern look.

Gallery of cake textures and finishes