4 Simple Ways to Upgrade Any Basic Sheet Cake

Big, beautiful, spectacular. These are the kind of words I’d use to describe my ideal summer cake — though, not necessarily one that’s easy to make. But recently, a burgeoning baking trend has changed my mind: Across the country, pastry chefs are showing that cakes can make a big visual impact without involving a lot of fuss.

At spots like New June Bakery in Philadelphia and Nazli & Co. in New York City, playful, low-lift decorating techniques transform simple sheet cakes into over-the-top showstoppers, adorned with splashy flowers and botanicals, with fat, free-form swirls of piping in bold colors. Their methods are easy to pull off at home. 

Start with a simple one-bowl sheet cake, like our vanilla sheet cake and lemony ermine frosting. You want a cake that is ultra-moist and tender, with a buttery frosting that whips beautifully into billowy peaks. When it comes to decorations, remember: More is more. Maximalist cakes are all about embracing creativity and letting the decorations take center stage. Use these tips to create a big, beautiful, spectacular cake of your own.

Turn up the color 

Add color to your frosting to make it eye-catching and cheerful. For pastel hues, use natural dye — ground turmeric for vibrant yellow, freeze-dried blueberries for deep purple, or freeze-dried raspberries for pink. Remember that spices and freeze-dried foods will also add flavor; taste and observe the frosting as you tint it. Use gel food dyes if a more vibrant color is desired.

Pipe away! 

Dramatic swoops and dollops of piping can be achieved without piping tips: Just grab a sturdy ziplock plastic bag or piping bag. Snip a 1/4-inch-wide hole in the corner, and pipe small designs, like kisses or dots. Cut a 1/2-inch-wide hole to pipe swirls and squiggles. If you want to avoid piping, spoon a dollop of icing onto the cake surface, and drag the spoon through the center to create swooshes and swirls.

Deck it out

Think of your cake as your canvas. Fun sprinkles (our team loves the options from layercakeshop.com), herbs from your garden, or even maraschino cherries can add visual interest. Place the ingredients wherever you want for a free-form effect, or evenly space them in small groups to create patterns. 

Finish with flowers

Edible flowers add natural beauty and color. Not all flowers are safe to consume, so visit your local farmers market and ask the vendor directly how the blooms were grown and whether they’re edible — they should be pesticide-free. Or order edible flowers online (such as from chefs-garden.com). Flowers wilt quickly, so keep the decorated cake chilled for up to 2 hours, or place the blooms just before serving.