7 of the Easiest Ways to Make Your Cake a Work of Art

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
published Oct 30, 2015
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(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Creating an Instagram-ready cake doesn’t mean you have to be a pro with the pastry bag. In fact, you don’t even need to have a pastry bag! Arm yourself with some cereal or chocolate chips and you’ll be good to go.

Here are seven ways to make your cake look over-the-top dramatic — yet don’t require decorating genius to achieve.

(Image credit: I Wash..You Dry)

1. Use colorful cereal

Reach into the pantry and pull out a box of brightly colored cereal. Trix or even Fruity Pebbles should do the trick. Go to town with lines and patterns like this cake from I Wash, You Dry. If making a beautifully frosted cake isn’t quite your forte, no problem! Once you’ve covered the cake with cereal pieces, no one will even see the frosting.

See more: Surprise Inside Rainbow Cake at I Wash, You Dry

(Image credit: Fork to Belly)

2. Add more dessert on top of your dessert

There is no universe where a cake like this — from Fork to Belly — will ever be a bad idea. It’s dessert on dessert! Because buttercream and chocolate ganache sometimes simply aren’t enough, this cake is topped with homemade marshmallows, meringues, and macarons.

Get the recipe: Vanilla Bean Cake from Fork to Belly

(Image credit: Coco Cake Land)

3. Plant some fresh flowers

This cake from Coco Cake Land proves that fresh flowers are not just for weddings. A few flowers have the power to totally transform your cake into a real beauty. Pick your favorite florals (making sure to only use flowers that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides — you want to keep the cake safe to eat!), or try edible flowers, like roses, violets, and pansies.

Get the recipe: Fresh Flower Cake: How to Make a Naked Cake from Coco Cake Land

(Image credit: Sprinkles Bakes)

4. Turn chocolate chips into polka dots

This idea from Sprinkles Bakes is so simple and smart. Talk about putting a pantry staple to good use!

Get the recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk Cake from Sprinkles Bakes

(Image credit: Matchbox Kitchen)

5. Pile on the fresh fruit

Sometimes a big pile of fresh fruit is all you really need. A cake like this one from Matchbox Kitchen is sweet and stunning.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Tres Leches Cake from Matchbox Kitchen

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

6. Sprinkle on the sprinkles

There’s no such thing as too many sprinkles. Pour a bunch all over the top of a frosted cake and use your hands to press even more into the sides. You can even cover the entire cake if you want. The more sprinkles, the better!

Get the steps: How to Make Classic Birthday Cake

(Image credit: Sprinkles for Breakfast)

7. Leave it naked

No, it’s not cheating! It’s trendy! Naked cakes could have zero frosting on the outer edge or just a little bit of buttercream. Then, you can add some candles, a decorative topper, candy, fruit (like further above), or whatever you want on top. We like this idea — from Sprinkles for Breakfast — to use some fresh herbs.

See more: Rosemary Lavender Cake at Sprinkles for Breakfast

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Baking
birthdays
Cake
Cooking Methods
Dessert
Tips & Techniques