Unicorn cakes, stuffed croissants and other 2017 baking and dessert trends you need to see

Healthy trends may come and go but the one thing that will never go out of fashion is DESSERT! And while most of us are happy to eat anything that’s delicious whether it’s ‘in’ or not, it’s still exciting to see what we’ll be drooling over this year.

Prepare to lick your screen!

Stuffed croissants
The cronut is SO 2015. And so is the duffin but we’ll never stop loving flaky, buttery pastries so this year expect to see the croissant (in it’s old-fashioned crescent shape, thank you) but stuffed with absurdly decadent things! We’re already seeing this trend in Joburg at Proof Café – their raspberry mousse stuffed unicorn croissant with buttercream icing will change your life.

It’s finally here ?? The Raspberry Croissant! #croissantoftheweek #winning #thatdoughthough #layers #croissantlife

A photo posted by Proof Cafe (@proofcafe) on Oct 18, 2016 at 10:40pm PDT

Unicorn everything
And speaking of unicorn croissants, this magical theme is not leaving the pastry counter anytime soon. From unicorn cakes to unicorn bark, unicorn toast and unicorn macarons, the world has gone unicorn crazy! Feed your obsession at Cape Town-based Tessa’s Bakery.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get better … even more Unicorn ?? magic #unicorncake #fortheloveofunicorns #tessasbakery #unicornmacarons #theprettyblog

A photo posted by Tessa’s Bakery (@tessas_bakery) on Jan 19, 2017 at 1:06am PST

Enhanced baked goods
Globally we’ve seen a trend towards healthy eating and living, but we still want dessert (of course we do!), which means baking and treats fortified with ingredients that make them a little better for you. Additions like hemp flour, turmeric, moringa and whey protein all bump up the nutrition value while toning down the guilt. Locally we’ve got the decadent but better-for-you Skinny Scoop protein ice cream packed with whey powder.

Oh how we love Mondays! A new week to set goals & try stick to them! ???? we’re here to help with assisting your sweet cravings ?? get your skinny scoop fix today from your nearest retailers ?? #monday #skinnyscoop #motivation #guiltfree #protein #icecream #goals #gains #health #fitness #fit #sweet #treat #eatclean #cheatclean #peanutbutter #yum #fitnessmotivation #healthy #healthyfood #instagood #southafrica #brand #love #summer ??: @rachelhopehugo ?

A photo posted by Skinny Scoop protein ice-cream (@skinnyscoopsa) on Jan 23, 2017 at 12:55am PST

Black desserts
Welcome to the dark side. But don’t worry, there’s ice cream! Charcoal and black desserts are going to add drama to our Instagram feeds this year – most likely as a black lash from the rainbow-everything we spent all of 2016 scrolling through! We can’t get enough of Unframed’s black sesame ice cream!

??ICE CREAM ALERT?? Alright Cape Town, you’re in for a treat today. Black Sesame ice cream. How incredibly beautiful this color is….? Forget everything you’ve tried before; this will blow your mind; just that #shortsupply #untilitsgone #lifeunframed #blacksesame #nutcrazy #nofilter

A photo posted by Unframed Ice Cream (@lifeunframed) on Oct 29, 2016 at 3:32am PDT

Doughnut everything!
With massive doughnut chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme opening in South Africa, our obsession with deep-fried carbs is only just getting started! But we’ll see more inventive flavours and forms line the counters – like the doughnut ice cream cones from Old Town Italy, unicorn doughnuts, doughnut ice cream sandwiches – oh, and doughnut walls are said to be huge at weddings this year!

A taste of summer. #OldTownItaly #MakingMemories

A photo posted by Old Town Italy (@oldtownitaly) on Oct 30, 2016 at 7:58am PDT

‘Wake and Cake’
We’ve been eating cake for breakfast for years – but at least it’s now socially acceptable!  With recent studies linking dark chocolate to better brain functionality, adding it to your morning meal is said to boost cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning, memory and focus. So tuck into that chocolate slab or cake, you know, for your health!

Chocolate for breakfast is always a good idea 😉 This Chocolate Quinoa Porridge is one of my absolute favourite go-to’s, especially during the winter months! YUM!? ? ? #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #yum #nomnom #delicious #cleaneats #vegan #healthy #foodporn #f52 #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #fromabove #foodflatlay #instafood #foodblogger #instafood #breakfast #foodgawker #igfood #eats #vegansofinstagram @foodblogfeed #gloobyfood @food_glooby#thekitchn #foodandwine #eattheworld

A photo posted by Jane (@baking_ginger) on Jan 17, 2017 at 9:29am PST

Craft gin takes to the plate
2016 was the year of craft gin in South Africa and 2017 will be the year it moves from the glass to our dessert plates. Chef Gregory Czarnecki of Waterkloof Restaurant is setting the trend with this magnificent gin-marinated grapefruit, bergamot jelly, citrus crémeux, carrot glass, timut pepper dessert.

Gin marinated grapefruit, bergamot jelly, citrus crémeux, carrot glass, timut pepper @gourmetartistry @chefstalk @gastroart @theartofplating @cookniche @thebestchefproject @thebestchefsoftheworld #grapefruit #winter #gin

A photo posted by Gregory Czarnecki (@czarneckigregory) on Aug 13, 2016 at 2:40am PDT

Ethical indulgence
This year we’ll all be focusing on the effects our guilty pleasures have on both the environment and the people who make them. We’ve already seen this trend growing with environmental concern over the production of palm oil and it will continue to grow and expand into indulgences like chocolate and coffee. Locally, brand new bean-to-bar chocolate maker, Afrikoa is the first to pioneer Direct Trade cocoa in South Africa paying the farmers 300% more than what they usually earn.

Ever wondered what ‘direct trade’ means? This is Simon, one of the many passionate farmers who grow our #cocoa beans in Tanzania. Direct trade means that Simon’s cocoa beans go straight from his farm to our factory, cutting out unnecessary middlemen, and empowering him as a farmer to create his own sustainable future. #Chocolate #BeantoBar #Africa #comingsoon

A photo posted by Afrikoa Chocolate (@afrikoachocolate) on May 18, 2016 at 11:15pm PDT

Dessert trends that need to stay in 2016 are…

Matcha-flavoured anything
2016 was a good year for matcha – we saw it in everything from ice cream to cheesecake, but let’s be honest, at R400 for a small 40g stash, it doesn’t have much bang for it’s buck. Good thing our very own local Moringa is taking off where it left off. Same gorgeous green colour, MUCH cheaper, equally as healthy and even better, proudly African!

Elevated toast
Guys, it’s just toast – pretty toast – but still toast.

Deconstructed coffee
I don’t know about you, but when I go out for a coffee, the whole point is that someone else is doing all the work. DIY coffee can stay in 2016 thanks!

Smoothie bowls
Can we all just agree that smoothies are WAY more practical in a glass? Glad we settled that.

Freakshakes are dead
You know the trend is dead when the chain restaurants start making them. Rest in peace Freakshakes, we loved you!

Consol jarred everything
From salads to cake to freakshakes, last year we were served any kind of possible food in a Consol jar. It was cute then but this year, can we just not? #WeWantPlates

ALSO READ: 20 of the most impressive baking recipes to try this weekend

For more sweet decadence from The Kate Tin, follow her foodie adventures on Instagram and Facebook!