15+ Artistic Cake Decorating Ideas & Essential Supplies to Start Decorating Today

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Cake decorating is an art form that combines tasty desserts with a visually pleasing aesthetic. In fact, the best cake decorators are experts at using buttercream, fondant, gum paste, and much more to conjure up inspiring cakes that look as good as they taste. Whether creating unique wedding cakes or taking inspiration from art and architecture, many decorators are pushing the boundaries of what's possible with cake.

It's thought that cake decorating originated in 19th century France, when bakers realized they could charge more money if their cakes were embellished. They were helped by technology, as temperature-controlled ovens and the production of baking powder in the 1840s made it much easier to bake a great cake. Now, with so many materials to choose from, bakers can take inspiration from virtually anything and make it come to life.

In fact, the best cakes tell a story, whether it's capturing the memories of a newly married couple or simply embodying the spirit of a particular individual. If you're looking for some cake decorating ideas, take a look at these incredibly artistic cakes and then check out our list of cake decorating supplies to get you started.

Get inspired by the artistry of these incredible cake designs.

Unique Wedding Cakes

Tortik Annushka. READ MORE: 20+ Black Wedding Cakes That Add Goth-Inspired Flair to a Special Affair

Emma Jayne. READ MORE: Amazing Life-Sized Wedding Cake Meticulously Recreates a Real Couture Gown

Tier by Tier. READ MORE: Bride and Groom Combine Two Visions into One Incredible Wedding Cake

Darling Delights. READ MORE: Artistic Baker Paints a Galaxy-Inspired Wedding Cake That’s Out of This World

Cupcakes by SJ. READ MORE: LEGO-Themed Wedding Cake Brings Couple’s Childhood Fantasies to Life

Cakes Inspired by Nature

Ivenoven. READ MORE: Lifelike ‘Succulent Cakes’ Turn Prickly Plants into Delicious Desserts

Intricate Icing. READ MORE: Stunning Cake Reveals an Edible Amethyst Geode Beneath Its Surface

Leslie Vigil. READ MORE: Baker Tops Nature-Inspired Cakes with Realistic Buttercream Botanicals

Atelier Soo. READ MORE: Baker Tops Cakes With Perfectly Piped Bouquets of Realistic Buttercream Flowers

Maggie Austin. READ MORE: Ballerina-Turned-Pastry Chef Bakes Cakes with Incredibly Realistic Flowers Made of Sugar

Cakes Inspired by Art and Architecture

Kalabasa. READ MORE: ‘Brushstroke’ Cakes Put a Painterly Twist on Traditional Cake Decorating

Dinara Kasko. READ MORE: Pastry Chef Creates Incredible Geometric Cakes Inspired by Origami

Jasmine Rae. READ MORE: 7 Bakers Whose Artistic Cakes Belong in a Contemporary Art Museum

Dinara Kasko. READ MORE: Architect-Turned-Baker Designs Beautiful, Bold Cakes Inspired by Art and Math

Marie Oiseau. READ MORE: Artistic Pastry Chef Uses Background in Architecture to Bake Amazing Cakes

Sweet Cakes for Kids

Susanne Ng. READ MORE: Baker Creates Fluffy Cakes That Look Just Like Cute and Cuddly Stuffed Animals

dearDeer Patisserie. READ MORE: Magical Mermaid Tail Cakes Add a Tasty Touch of Fantasy to Dessert

Next: Essential cake decorating supplies and online classes to learn new skills.