People all over the world are swooning over creative and one-of-a-kind cakes, and their popularity is only growing as social media trends spread. One trend that has recently caught a lot of people's attention is the idea of "burn-away" cakes. The act of setting the top layer of a cake on fire to reveal a design underneath is part of this trend. These strange events not only make the cake look more interesting but also show a new way to decorate cakes. The concept of setting food on fire to make it look better isn't new, but using this method on a full-sized cake is a fun and new way to bake.
Burn-away cakes have quickly risen to fame, with numerous bakers and cake artists sharing their creations online, garnering widespread attention and admiration. These cakes often feature elaborate designs that, when set ablaze, reveal another layer of artistic expression beneath. This trend was notably popularised by a Pokemon-themed cake created by Namaya Navaratnarajah, a baker based in Ontario, whose Instagram reel showcasing the transformation of Charmander into Charizard through sequential burn-away layers went viral, amassing over 50 million views and 1.8 million likes.
Image Credit: Twitter/IndyLife
Despite some skepticism regarding the taste and the theatrics involved, the trend has inspired a wave of tutorials and has encouraged baking enthusiasts to explore the creation of their own burn-away cakes.
The process involves using two different types of edible paper: a frosting sheet for the hidden image and a wafer or rice paper for the top layer that is set on fire. The wafer paper is made to burn off quickly without hurting the frosting sheet below, and both layers are printed with edible ink. With this clever method, someone who is good at cooking and good at drama can make cakes that are not only desserts but also shows to see.
In exploring the phenomenon of burn-away cakes, it becomes evident that the allure lies in the combination of creativity, surprise, and the joy of discovery. Bakers are breaking the rules of traditional cake decorating to make cakes more interesting to look at and experience in addition to their taste. This trend shows that people want more experiences that are not only tasty but also visually and emotionally interesting. It's part of a larger trend toward more interactive and immersive culinary experiences.
As long as burn-away cakes are popular, they are more than just a passing fad. They represent a move toward new ways of baking that value creativity and interaction. This trend underscores the evolving landscape of culinary arts, where the presentation of food is as important as its flavour, and where bakers are recognised as artists who bring joy and surprise to the table in equal measure.