South African cake trends for 2018: Spotlight on local SA baking talent

(Image: iStock)

My version of meditation is to look at pretty things on the internet, mostly stunning cakes. So here is just a little round up of some of the most beautiful cake trends of the year and a chance to show some of the AWESOME local talent some love!

1. Succulents – Not just for the garden, even our wedding cakes are water-wise these days. Saving water is always on trend

Details?? #weddingcake #cake #wedding #closeup #details #roses #succulents #freshflowers #sugarflowers #fondant #pink #green

A post shared by Lauren Lee Cake Couture (@laurenleecakecouture) on Feb 16, 2017 at 2:24am PST

2. Bold colours – say goodbye to pastel ombre and hello bold colours and metallics

A post shared by Shuheila Manuel (@shuheila_manuel) on Oct 28, 2017 at 8:17am PDT

Black and gold elegant cakewotj gold orchid sugarpaste flowets #lulubellesbakes #elegantcake #blackandgoldcake

A post shared by Lyndsay McEwan (@lulubelles_bakes) on Oct 8, 2016 at 1:47pm PDT

Lovely article on @womansworldmag about wedding cake trends, featuring this beauty of mine. http://www.womansworld.com/posts/wedding-cake-trends-2017-143028/photos/wedding-cake-trends-2017-birch-tree-262934 #weddingseason #metallics #romance #gold #sugarflowers #Cakeartist #alwaysandforever #weddingphotography #TheCakeDuchessSA

A post shared by Sumaiya Omar: Cake Duchess SA (@the_cake_duchess) on Oct 2, 2017 at 11:28pm PDT

3. Local is lekker – whether it is indigenous sugar flowers or bead work we are out of our gourds for it! (And how cute is that butternut?)

Gold Sequins Wedding Cake with Protea Topper #cake #wedding #weddingcake #goldsequins #houseoffinecakes

A post shared by Jodi Craig (@house_of_fine_cakes) on Dec 21, 2015 at 5:15am PST

A post shared by Rooweida Hassim (@cakesetc1) on Jul 9, 2017 at 11:11am PDT

Traditional cake. Moist chocolate ganach and vanilla bean.

A post shared by Rooweida Hassim (@cakesetc1) on Aug 26, 2017 at 4:22am PDT

4. Transcultural diffusion – drawing inspiration from the Day of the Dead and from Indigenous American cultures

#evendeathtastessweet #sweettasteofdeath #thesweetestskulls #deathbysugar #SugarSkullBakers #sugarskullbakers2016 #SugarSkulls #DayOfTheDead #ssb16 #SkullBakers #SkullCake #CakeCollaboration #sugarskullies16 #sugarskullbakers #sugar #skulls #dayofthedeath #diadelosmuertos #bustcake #3Dcake #roses #bluehair #makeup #sugarartist #cakeartist #capetown #sugarcraft Photographer: @darylglass

A post shared by Lynne Glass (@l.glass) on Nov 1, 2016 at 12:45am PDT

ALSO SEE: 10 incredibly eye-catching cake creations

5. Get inspired by fashion! Using fabric and couture to inspire design

Tbt #fashiongram #fashionable #fashioninspired #texture #coralreef #chanelinspired #texturedcake #thecakeduchesssa #cakeart #coral #ruffles #fashionforward #modernbride #weddingphotography #destinationwedding #cakeart #instacake #edibleartwork #edibleart #hautecouture #spring #oceaninspired #designercakes #couturecakes #art #cakeartist

A post shared by Sumaiya Omar: Cake Duchess SA (@the_cake_duchess) on Feb 1, 2017 at 10:02pm PST

#the_cake_witch #cake #weddingcake #watercolours #watercolorswedding #colorful #colorfulcake #sugarart #cakestagram #sugarctaft #cakeart #cakedecorating #cakecraft #cakephotography

A post shared by Nessie Peeva (@the_cake_witch) on Sep 25, 2016 at 6:45pm PDT

6. Is there an animal in the house? Chocolate feathers are THE trend at the moment, and make great flamingoes, and this list wouldn’t be complete without a unicorn or two!

Shhhh… She’s sleeping ?? #flamingo #brushstrokecake #pinkandgold #gingerpops #instacake #rsa #nelsonmandelabay #fridgesituation #summer

A post shared by Ginger Pops (@gingerpops) on Oct 20, 2017 at 11:23pm PDT

Rainbow Unicorn popsicles ??#rainbowunicorns #cakepopsicles #unicorncakepops #unicornmagic #rainbow #cakesinspiredbyme #afphotography_1 #unicornsofinstagram #edibleart #sugarart #cuteness #loveunicorns #rainbowcakepops #couturecakepops #customcakepops #capetownbaker #cakebakeoffng #?? #unicornmagic

A post shared by Aneesa (@cakesinspiredbyme) on Jul 1, 2017 at 1:10am PDT

7. Inspired by the earth and stars– check out the geode cakes, marble inspired gems and a glittering galaxy glaze

Sapphire Geode Wedding Cake #marriage #weddingcakes #instacakes #geode #sapphire #geometric #houseoffinecakes #sugarcrystals #navyandgoldwedding

A post shared by Jodi Craig (@house_of_fine_cakes) on Sep 26, 2016 at 1:13am PDT

Some texture…;) #texturedcake #texture #marble #marbledcake #concrete #art #contemporary #gold #TheCakeDuchessSA #TCD #blackandgold #marbledesign #photography #artcake #designercake

A post shared by Sumaiya Omar: Cake Duchess SA (@the_cake_duchess) on Jun 1, 2017 at 9:01am PDT

Double chocolate mousse cake with a marbled mirror glaze topping. #caketrends #mirrorglaze #mirrorglazecake #genoisesponge #doublechocolatemousse #marbledmirrorglaze #instacake #cakesinspiredbyme #afphotography_1 #capetownbaker #customcake #couturecakes #chocolateinside #cakebakeoffng #letsgofordessert

A post shared by Aneesa (@cakesinspiredbyme) on Jul 9, 2017 at 3:52pm PDT

8. Fondant designs just keep evolving, bringing us fresh takes on ruffles, using art deco geometric patterns and providing the canvas for the most eye-popping painted cakes

In the mood for pink ?? #weddingseason #blush #lace #ruffles #sugarflowers #weddingphotography #art #vintage #TheCakeDuchessSA #TCD #pearls #sugarflowers #pink

A post shared by Sumaiya Omar: Cake Duchess SA (@the_cake_duchess) on Nov 19, 2017 at 8:08am PST

#21stbirthdaycake #geometrics #capetowncakes #lovedthesecolours #simplicity

A post shared by Rofeeqoh Achmat (@sugar_fairy_exclusive_cakes_) on Jul 29, 2017 at 12:36pm PDT

Colourful handpainted cake with icing floral detail. ?????? #handpaintedcake #wadescakes #weddingcake #floralcake @nicolajaneweddings

A post shared by Wade’s Cakes ?? (@wadescakes) on Nov 5, 2017 at 2:48am PST

ALSO READ: How to make the perfect, flop-proof chocolate fondant

9. Say goodbye to fondant and hello to butter icing, naked cakes and ganache drips, for those that are “so over fondant” take heart fresh modern tasty cakes are here!

Caramel caramel wedding cake with glossy glam meringue frosting adorned with exquisite roses #weddingcake #lepetitfoursa #weddingseason2017 #letthemeatcake #celebrate #caramel #nofondant #fresh

A post shared by Lezanne Winshaw (@lepetitfoursa) on Nov 11, 2017 at 1:08pm PST

For a lovely ladies birthday #birthdaycake #cake #birthday #dripcake #ganache #chocolate #freshflowers #roses #pink #purple #petals #laurenleecakecouture

A post shared by Lauren Lee Cake Couture (@laurenleecakecouture) on Oct 10, 2016 at 12:02am PDT

10. Big cakes – and just in case you missed it, I like big cakes and I cannot lie, our own Dot Klerk won the Cake Masters Award for Best Showpiece cake for her life sized elephants!

We #won!!!!!!! #eatcakeparty #CakeMastersAwards

A post shared by Dorothy Klerck (@dorothyklerck) on Nov 4, 2017 at 5:01pm PDT

Follow Julie (cake decorater and teacher) on Twitter @AskJulieDonald where she gives quick answers to all your baking questions

SA foodies on 2018 ingredient trends: What’s set to be hot in the SA culinary space

(image: iStock) We’re nearing the end of 2017 and what a year it’s been! The drought in the Western Cape has really had an impact – with the big drive towards waterless cooking and then the daunting shortage of both butter and eggs (if there was ever an easy time to go vegan!).