Tsunami Cakes Are the Gorgeous Baking Trend We Need to Try
Updated: Jan. 06, 2021
Each "tsunami cake" has a flood of icing cascading down its sides, and it's mesmerizing to watch.
We have the internet to thank for a lot of kitchen hacks. For example, did you know you could make the perfect breakfast sandwich every time right in the pan, or milk a cucumber for a fresh snack? The folks on TikTok aren’t done yet. Now, the prettiest dessert we’ve ever seen is on the menu.
Introducing… tsunami cakes! This new trend is as beautiful as it delicious. And it’s so easy to recreate at home.
It’s a Waterfall of Decadence
Don’t know what a tsunami cake is? Let us catch you up to speed—a tsunami cake (or pull-me-up cake) is a cake with most of its frosting suspended inside of a thin, acetate cake collar. When you remove the plastic, the icing cascades over the side of the cake, much like a tsunami, so your guests can watch the magic unfold.
@madbatterptyBelle tsunami cake!🤩🤩 ##fyp ##panama ##pty♬ Mad at Disney – salem ilese
The cakes are so popular because they’re so mesmerizing. Some are Disney-themed and make up the dresses of your favorite princesses (perfect for a Disney birthday party, don’t you think?) while other are just plain beautiful and loaded with sprinkles, fruits, candies or whatever else you crave on a cake!
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These are almost too pretty to eat…almost. By the way, if you’re in need of a cake cutting hack to make digging in a little easier, all you’ll need is a wine glass and good aim.
How to Make a Tsunami Cake
While these cakes look like the peak of sophistication, they’re not too difficult to try out at home. Of course, you’ll need to know how to bake a cake, but once you’ve got your method down pat, the process are pretty simple.
Start with at least two tiers, and layer the frosting or cream of your choice in between each layer. Next, wrap the cake collar around the top of your cake, and fill it with whatever icing or toppings you like. The beauty of these cakes—well, besides the obvious—is that you can mix and match most anything here.
Finish your tsunami cake by removing the cake collar, and voila!
We don’t know about you, but we’re adding tsunami cakes to our baking bucket list ASAP.
Want to Bake Your Own? Start with These Easy Cake Recipes
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Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
My husband loved his Mamaw's strawberry birthday cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Homemade Confetti Cake
This easy birthday cake recipe is moist and fluffy with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, Utah
Rustic Honey Cake
When my boys were young, they couldn’t drink milk but they could have yogurt. This was a cake they could eat. And it’s one dessert that doesn’t taste overly sweet, which is always a nice change of pace. —Linda Leuer, Hamel, Minnesota
Lemon Sheet Cake
Lemon pie filling lends a splash of citrus flavor to a convenient cake mix, and a rich cream cheese frosting gives it sweetness. My family likes this cake cold, so I cut it into squares and freeze it before serving. —Alyce Dubisar, North Bend, Oregon
Coconut-Lemon Ice Cream Cake
My family loves this lemon ice cream cake anytime. The sweet cream of coconut and tart lemon juice make a delicious combo, and the streusel adds a nice crunch. —Janet Gill, Canton, Ohio
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people asking if I'm bringing this chocolate peanut butter poke cake. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons of baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
Lime Angel Food Cake
For this easy birthday cake recipe, I took a store-bought angel food cake and turned it into this special dessert with a lovely lime cream frosting topped with toasted coconut. It went over big! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Classic Chocolate Cake
If you need to learn how to make chocolate cake from scratch, this easy homemade chocolate cake recipe is a perfect place to start. It appeared on a can of Hershey's cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I've been making it ever since. —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California
Cream Cheese Sheet Cake
This tender, buttery cream cheese cake with a thin layer of fudge frosting is perfect for a crowd. It's always popular at potlucks and parties. It's not uncommon to see folks going back for second and even third pieces. —Gaye Mann, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Glazed Chocolate Angel Food Cake
A drizzling of rich chocolate glaze lends an elegant touch and will keep guests wanting more. With only 3g of fat per slice, this easy birthday cake is a treat you'll want to see year after year! —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
Coconut Poppy Seed Cake
This moist coconut cake is definitely one of my most-requested desserts. Use different cake mixes and pudding flavors for variety. —Gail Cayce, Wautoma, Wisconsin
Margarita Cake
This margarita cake is perfect on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely it tastes like the real thing. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Yummy Chocolate Cake
My husband and I are trying to eat lighter but still crave sweets. This moist, healthy chocolate cake really helps with that. With the rich frosting, it makes a decadent treat! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Strawberry Poke Cake
That classic spring treat—strawberry shortcake—takes on a wonderful new twist with this strawberry poke cake recipe. Strawberry gelatin and strawberries liven up each pretty slice of this lovely layered cake that's made from a convenient boxed mix. —Mary Jo Griggs, West Bend, Wisconsin
Pineapple Breeze Cake
This lovely cake features ladyfingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping. It's a special treat for my large family. —Barbara Joyner, Franklin, Virginia
Cherry Pudding Cake
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Pina Colada Tube Cake
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Chocolate Comfort Cake
This moist and delicious chocolate cake is usually the first dessert to go. People even eat the crumbs. It’s always my top choice for family get-togethers. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Berry Dream Cake
I use cherry gelatin to give a boxed cake mix an eye-appealing marbled effect. It's so festive-looking. Top it with whatever fruit you like! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Vanilla Bean Angel Food Cake
Angel food cake is everyone’s favorite blank slate for making awesome desserts. Serve it with a simple glaze or pile on fresh fruit, chocolate sauce or nutty sprinkles. —Leah Rekau, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I prepare this colorful and easy birthday cake recipe quite often in the summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
Pineapple Orange Cake
This is one of my favorite easy birthday cake recipes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
This cake mixes up quickly and bakes while we enjoy our dinner. My son, David, loves to help decorate it. —Coleen Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Cherry Dream Cake
I serve this cherry cake for get-togethers because it's so easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Orange and Pear Upside-Down Cake
I love cooking with my cast-iron skillet, whether it's to make a main dish or dessert. This upside-down cake is quick and easy. —Linda Persall, Cullman, Alabama
Hazelnut Cake Squares
When one of my daughters is asked to bring a dish to a church function, a birthday party or any special occasion, they ask me for this recipe. It is so easy to prepare because it starts with a cake mix. It doesn't need icing, so it is great for bake sales, too. —Brenda Melancon, McComb, Mississippi
Black Forest Upside-Down Cake
The divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
Root Beer Float Cake
I add root beer to both the cake batter and fluffy frosting to get that great root beer float taste. Serve this moist cake to a bunch of hungry kids and watch it disappear! —Kat Thompson, Prineville, Oregon
Rainbow Sherbet Angel Food Cake
Talk about a dessert that pops. Sometimes, I make this easy birthday cake even more eye-catching by coloring the whipped cream, too. Use whatever sherbet flavor combination you like. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Lemon Berry Dump Cake
This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Raspberry Cake
Jazz up plain cake with raspberry gelatin and frozen berries. Spread with a light, fruity whipped topping (or this whipped topping substitute), the festive results make a cool and refreshing dessert. —Marion Anderson, Dalton, Minnesota Up Next: 16 Adorable Kids Birthday Party Ideas and Decorations Originally Published: January 06, 2021
