By Bryanna SantosIn this story:
If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at cake decorating, there’s never been a better time. Cake baking and decorating classes in NYC are more fun and more creative than ever, full of various trending and artistic styles. From piping delicate hearts to sculpting edible characters, these classes are perfect whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to try a new hobby. Across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, you’ll find local cake decorating classes in every borough that teach everything from classic buttercream techniques to the latest cake decorating trends.
If you’ve spent time on Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen an explosion of creative, over-the-top cakes. From vintage heart cakes with ruffles and pearls to pastel bento cakes with playful designs, today’s cake decorating trends turn desserts into shareable, edible art. Modern bakers are experimenting with everything from cartoon-style 2D illusions to boozy ice cream cakes, all of which you can learn in cake baking and decorating classes.
Not only are these classes a great way to learn new skills, but they’re also a chance to meet other baking enthusiasts, spend a fun afternoon out, and take home something sweet that you made yourself. Many workshops also cover fondant classes, cupcake decorating, and even wedding cake classes, so you can explore all kinds of workshops and discover your favorite style. Here are seven of the coolest trending cakes you can learn to make in 2026.
1. Charming vintage heart cakes
Vintage heart cakes are all about charm and nostalgia. Think soft pastel frosting, piped borders, pearls, bows, and playful messages; the kind of cake you see in old-school bakeries or on Instagram feeds. These cakes continue to make their way around CakeTok and have revived the art of cake decorating with their classic but unique style and girly flair. With the number of people searching for these beautiful cakes on Google increasing by 30 percent over the past year, it’s one of ClassBento’s most popular cake decorating classes. In these cake-making classes, you’ll learn how to stack, frost, and pipe your own heart-shaped creation. Even if you’ve never held a piping bag before, the instructor will guide you step by step.
Where to try it in NYC
Learn how to decorate a darling vintage cake in Flatiron with NY Cake Academy. This vintage cake decorating workshop will teach you the fundamentals of vintage cake decorating, where you’ll frost, pipe, and adorn your cake with the pieces that make it so charming and unique. Whether you want to make one for a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or just because, this is a fun, hands-on way to try a trending style. Plus, your Instagram story will absolutely love it.
You'll take home: A beautifully decorated vintage cake
Cost: $150 per person
Duration: 2.5 hours
Dates: Wednesday, November 19th, 2026
Location: NY Cake Academy, 118 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Nearest Subway lines: 1, C, F, E, N, M, and R trains
2. Mini bento box cakes
Bento box cakes are small, single-serving cakes that are as fun and beginner-friendly. Inspired by Korean dessert trends, these mini cakes are perfect for gifts, picnics, or even a little personal treat. Another CakeTok trend, bento box cakes have been the cutest cakes of all. With pastel colors and forest critters made from buttercream, the internet continues to consider these the perfect cake for one. With a 48 percent increase from last year in people searching on Google for bento cakes near them, they are still a fan favorite.
Where to try it in NYC
Think of a bento cake decorating class as a trial run with very low stakes. The canvas is smaller, therefore less of a challenge than tackling a full-size cake. In a bento cake making class, you’ll learn to bake, frost, and decorate these tiny cakes using creative designs and pastel colors to put playful spins on classic treats. Experiment with colors, small piping tips, and various designs to create a personalized cake. From cute characters to flower petals, a bento cake is the perfect cake to customize to your liking. They’re so small, which means you can decorate several by the time it would take you to decorate one big cake — so the more the merrier!
You'll take home: A cute, little bento box cake
Cost: $90 per person
Duration: 2 hours
Dates: Sunday, November 23, 2026; Saturday, December 20, 2026
Location: Unique Workshop NYC, 268 36th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Nearest Subway lines: D, N, and R
3. Whimsical Labubu cakes
Labubu cakes are inspired by the collectible plush toys based on a mischievous, elflike monster character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. Lababu has taken the internet by storm. With a whopping 16,344 percent increase from last year in Google searches for Lababu cakes, it’s safe to say that everyone wants a little piece. These cakes are all about personality — colorful, fun, and a little bit cheeky. In a Labubu cake decorating workshop, you’ll practice piping the face of the kooky character and bring your own quirky characters to life.
Where to try it in NYC
If you enjoy cartoons, kawaii style, or just want to make something playful, this is the perfect cake decorating workshop to try. This class is perfect for a family-friendly activity and a unique day in the city with your friends. Take everyone’s favorite purse pal into a playful, “ugly cute” cake that your friends will for sure get a laugh out of.
You'll take home: A Labubu cake
Cost: $150 per person
Duration: 2 hours
Dates: Thursday, November 20, 2026
Location: NY Cake Academy, 118 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Nearest Subway lines: 1, C, F, E, N, M, and R trains
4. Boozy ice cream cakes
For dessert lovers who like a tipsy twist, boozy ice cream cakes are an absolute must-try. These cakes combine fluffy buttercream and layers of delicious ice cream infused with a touch of liquor. Boozy ice cream and boozy cakes have been trending for years; it was a matter of time before the two were combined into the ultimate dessert. In a local cake decorating class like this, you’ll learn how to layer ice cream and decorate your creation with frosting or toppings, creating the perfect cake for an extra fun event.
Where to try it in NYC
Tipsy Scoop in Brooklyn has some of the city’s best alcohol infused ice cream, so you know your creation will be one to remember. In this boozy cake decorating class you’ll layer, assemble, and decorate a 6-inch boozy ice cream cake that's perfect for a grown-up dessert. A workshop like this is especially fun for bachelorette parties, a unique date idea, or a fun girls’ day out. While decorating, you’ll get to enjoy a signature ice cream cocktail to sip on while you work. A boozy ice cream cake and an ice cream-based cocktail? This has sweet and fun written all over it.
You'll take home: A boozy ice cream cake
Cost: $199 per person
Duration: 2.5 hours
Dates: Saturday, November 8, 2026; Saturday, December 6, 2026
Location: Tipsy Scoop, 270 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Nearest Subway lines: G and L
5. Funky shag cakes
Shag cakes are playful, textured, and full of color. Named after the funky “shag” patterns from the 70s, these cakes feature piped buttercream textures that make them look like edible art. They had their start in 2020, when being stuck at home meant a lot of time to get creative and artistic. Another part of the cake decorating revival, shag cakes continue to be a top choice for playful cakes.
35 years in business
Runs regularly
Flatiron
/ Mobile
1 to 75 guests
$105 - $150
130k followers
Where to try it in NYC
In a shag cake decorating workshop, you’ll practice layering, coloring, and piping techniques to get the shaggy effect just right. In cake art classes like this, you’ll be using a grass piping tip along with a rainbow of buttercream colors to create stunning swirls and textures to replicate the look of those groovy shag rugs. This cake leans more wacky rather than structured and clean like your typical cake. You get to play around with fun color combinations and maybe even get a little messy with the rug-like texture. It’s also a favorite among cake art classes because it lets decorators experiment freely with color and shape.
Book for a private experience with friends or family for an extra sweet and colorful birthday party idea! Getting a groovy shag cake for your birthday is great, but making one and having fun with it is so much better!
You'll take home: A shag cake
Cost: $150 per person
Duration: 2 hours
Availability: Request a private experience with friends
Location: NY Cake Academy, 118 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Nearest Subway lines: 1, C, F, E, N, M, and R trains
6. Comical cartoon cakes
If you’ve ever seen a cake that looks like it jumped straight out of a comic book or your TV, you’ve spotted the cartoon cake trend. These skilled bakers use bold outlines, flat colors, and clever shading to create a 2D illusion, making your cake look hand-drawn. It’s one of the most eye-catching cake decorating trends, and surprisingly beginner-friendly once you learn a few techniques. These cakes find themselves in TikTok’s “real or cake?” trend, being so well-made that people can’t help but think “cartoon or cake”?
Where to try it in NYC
In this cartoon cake decorating workshop, you’ll learn how to use fondant and buttercream to achieve that cartoon-style pop. Your expert decorators will teach you how to perfectly lay fondant to get a smooth and professional look, and then how to pipe with buttercream to make the details stand out. The result is a playful, modern cake that looks unreal (in the best way).
You'll take home: A cartoon cake
Cost: $125 per person
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Dates: Friday, November 14, 2026
Location: NY Cake Academy, 118 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Nearest Subway lines: 1, C, F, E, N, M, and R trains
7. Sparkly geode cakes
Geode cakes are showstoppers. An especially popular cake type for weddings — with their sophisticated, sparkly look — geode cakes continue to be a fan favorite. They mimic the look of natural crystals using sugar, frosting, and fondant. Geode cakes are a trending style that’s as beautiful to look at as they are to eat. You get your moist, delicious cake and the crunch of the sugar crystal that makes the dessert so special. Two sweets in one!
Where to try it in NYC
In a geode cake making class with NY Cake Academy you’ll be taught how to carve, color, and craft these sparkling sugar crystals. It’s a hands-on experience that combines decorating with a little bit of science and a lot of creativity.
You'll take home: A geode cake
Cost: $150 per person
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Dates: Tuesday, December 2, 2026
Location: NY Cake Academy, 118 W 22nd St, New York, NY
Nearest Subway lines: 1, C, F, E, N, M, and R trains
From retro buttercream borders to dazzling geode designs, these cake decorating trends prove that creativity in the kitchen has never been more fun. Whether you’re learning how to pipe your first swirl or mastering advanced fondant techniques, New York City is full of in-person cake decorating classes where you can explore, experiment, and make something beautiful. Each workshop offers a chance to connect with local makers, discover new styles, and bring a little extra sweetness into your life.
