Some Rococo for your...cake?

From velvet hair bows and Y2K flip phones to crochet clubs and retro diners—nostalgia-core is having a moment. And nowhere is this more visible than on cake. Like our favourite television shows, it seems our cakes too had gone into a sleek, subdued, quiet-luxury space; but everywhere you scroll today, you can’t miss a new form of celebrating—once again, the cake is in its more-is-more era. The glossy, mirror-glazed Russian cakes and minimal “rich girl” bakes with barely-there design? So last season. Today’s maximalist cakes are all about the drama. Think piping so ornate it could belong on a Victorian curtain.

Enter Lambeth cakes. These frilly, pastel, over-the-top creations look like something straight out of a yellowing cookbook (or your grandmother’s tea party dreams). They’re named after cake decorator Joseph Lambeth, who, in 1934, wrote the widely popular book The Lambeth Method of Cake Decoration and Practical Pastries. With buttercream ruffles, tiny roses and piped garlands, these vintage bakes have become Gen Z’s not-so-guilty pleasure and the centrepiece of many Pinterest-worthy celebrations. So why are people suddenly piping like it’s 1969?

“It started globally during the pandemic,” says Delhi-based cake artist Yuktika Dhupar. Back then, traditional bakeries were dealing with staff shortages, delayed deliveries, and general chaos. In their place, home bakers emerged, many out of boredom, others out of necessity. With more time on their hands and endless inspiration from social media, these bakers began customising cakes that were as photogenic as they were flavourful. “And like most trends in the industry, it’s only now that it’s trickling into India in a big way,” adds Dhupar.

These cakes aren’t just tasty—they are Instagram gold. “If I get 100 inquiries a day, 85 to 90 of them are for Lambeth piping or vintage-style cakes, and most of these requests are from Gen Z customers,” says Dhupar. “It’s trending, it looks good, and of course taste matters, but people eat with their eyes first and then their mouth.” They’re also lighter and fluffier than traditional fondant-heavy cakes, and the intricate piping allows for dreamy retro designs without the weight.

Plus, cake-decorating videos on Instagram and TikTok have become a subgenre of their own with their mesmerising loops of frosting swirls, ruffles, and tiny rosettes that people can’t stop watching. There are even entire threads on subReddits like r/cakedecorating dedicated to discussing these vintage creations, with cake lovers passionately debating (or sometimes downright grumbling about) their love or hate for these opulent confections.

Pinterest’s Rococo Revival forecast for 2025 is another reason to get behind the growing love for pearls, pastels, and unapologetic ornamentation. It’s happening across interiors, fashion, and now frosting. We’re done with the beige-on-beige tyranny of the old-money aesthetic. The quiet luxury, “clean girl” minimalism has had its moment, but maximalism is making itself felt in buttercream form.

And maximalist bakers are going beyond pastel perfection to tap into their edgy side as well. “The style definitely appeals to those who love the vintage design, but the modern take on the Lambeth cake is more gothic, which I feel is more fun,” say Mumbai-based baker Janki Thackersey, who goes by @flourgirlbombay on Instagram, and often decorates her cakes with garden-picked flowers. These days, she’s seen the mood turn to black buttercream, deep reds, and moody piping. It’s vintage with an emo goth twist, perfect for those who like their cakes a little less Bridgerton and a bit more Wednesday Addams.

For many bakers, the return to vintage isn’t just about looks but also nostalgia. Dina Weber, founder of Sapa Bakery in Mysuru, says her team began leaning into more traditional German cakes like eggnog hazelnut, mocha, and Black Forest about a year ago. “Globally, we’ve gone so far with food—molecular gastronomy, mirror glazes, gels—and now the pendulum is swinging back,” she says. “There’s comfort in returning to something familiar. The world is getting crazier, and I think people want food that reminds them of simpler times.”

The virality of these retro cakes can be seen in the rift they’ve caused within the baking community. What started as a trend for intricate Lambeth piping and vintage-inspired designs quickly spiralled into a heated debate over pricing and craftsmanship. The controversy peaked early this year when Walmart’s $25 heart-shaped cakes went viral around Valentine’s Day, offering a budget-friendly version of the ornate designs beloved by small-batch bakers who charge upwards of $80. TikTok videos exploded with complaints from bakers accusing Walmart of cheapening the craft, while others argued that lower-priced cakes shouldn’t devalue the artistry involved. This backlash only underscores how deeply these pretty, ornate cakes have captured the internet’s attention and just how much they’ve stirred the pot.

So, whether you’re swooning over a tiered-piped masterpiece or binge-watching CakeToks, one thing’s clear: retro cakes are the sugary nostalgia we didn’t know we craved. With every swirl and ruffle, they’re adding a little more drama to our feeds and our taste buds.