Traditional christening cakes are still very much in fashion-however for those who want to stray from classic looks and flavours, contemporary christening cake designs are on offer. Contemporary trends don't rule out tradition, but broaden the range of possibilities for decorating a christening cake. Colours, flavours, decorations, toppers, shapes, and display options are becoming more adventurous and light-hearted.
Beyond Fruit Cake
Fruit cake was once the standard cake for weddings and christenings, a tradition still loved by many. Now some families are choosing other types of cake, such as chocolate, sponge, or even carrot cake. The emphasis is not so much on the type of cake, but more on the quality and total effect.
Colour Trends
Trends are moving beyond white, baby blue, and pink as core colours. White is still popular as the main colour, but other accents are being chosen such as mauve for girls christening cakes and brilliant turquoise for boys christening cakes.
A white base is by no means obligatory-many variations are emerging, such as a totally pink creation or a blue round on a white square. Accents can venture beyond a single colour to a rainbow of pastels or brilliant colours. Some cakes are sculpted or themed and use whatever colours best fit the chosen theme.
Create a Tower or Keep it Simple
A christening is an opportunity to have several stacked cakes with a special decoration on top. Cakes can be lined up perfectly with a large one to start, a smaller one next, and an even smaller one on top. For a more playful look, abandon symmetry and alignment. Shapes can be mixed and matched-for example a round can go with a hexagon or a square.
For a small gathering or a different look, serving one or more individual cakes is completely acceptable. Size or height alone does not mark the importance of the occasion. Rather, all the details put together create the right mood and look for a celebration.
The Cupcake Explosion
Cupcakes are still popular as an alternative to one or more large cakes. They are easy to transport, display, and serve. Beautiful, with piped icings, poured or rolled fondant icings, these desserts can be different, yet conform to a common style or theme. Flavourings can vary as well, increasing chances of pleasing almost everyone. For display, place on tiered cake plates or purchase a stand specifically designed for small desserts.
Elegant, Sweet, or Playful Christening Cake Toppers
A christening cake topper can be a large decoration at the top of a stack of cakes, a delicate figurine on a cupcake, an attention-catcher on an individual cake top, or one of several christening cake decorations. A cake tower topper can be:
a beautiful bouquet of flowers,
one or more cuddly teddies,
standing letters spelling baby's name,
gauzy, jewelled butterflies,
a lounging infant figurine,
traditional booties, or
a princess's castle (seen on christening cakes for girls).
cupcakes can have miniature edible or inedible decorations such as a baby rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, flowers, a building block, baby rattle, or teddies. Similar motifs can be used on single cake tops. More ideas include:
a toy box overflowing with toys,
a toy train (seen on christening cakes for boys), and
a baby sleeping under a quilted blanket in a cradle.
Simple Fondant Designs
When you hire a professional baker, consider ordering a cake with fondant icing. Long associated with intricate frills and embroidery, fondant is now being moulded in contemporary ways. Simple designs provide an elegant, yet playful effect. One style seen on special occasion cakes is multiple dots of different sizes and colours. Layered appliques of stars, circles, flowers, or hearts are also attractive. Imagine a smooth fondant surface, simple shapes, complementary colours, and a base finished off with a shiny ribbon.
Castles, Race Cars, and More
Cakes shaped like animals, fantasy characters, and objects are being seen at birthday parties, showers, and christenings. Traditional symbols, such as booties, a flowery cross, or an open bible can shape the cake. However, for a christening cake you may also choose any theme suitable for young children, such as a racing car, train locomotive, princess's castle, toy box, or puppy. The name of the child of honour can be written on the cake board or on a plaque, if an inscription is desired.
Design possibilities are infinite. Consider these other examples:
A stack of cakes decorated to look like presents, resting on a baby blanket, with booties or a rattle on the side,
A baby pram with baby, in either a two or three dimensional design,
A frilly baby gown cake, or
A stack of alphabet blocks, with a few other toys on the side.
Choices for Contemporary Christening Cakes
Christenings are special occasions that invite cakes with vintage looks, modern flourishes, or a combination of both. Inscriptions with full or partial name, date, reference to the christening, and blessing are optional. The final look will depend on your selection of elements and the style of the cake designer. To widen your style choices, shop around to get a feel for the "look" of cakes created by different bakers.
