Festive cakes with a Hawaiian twist are the perfect choice for a summer party. These themed cakes should reflect the spirit of the islands or have design elements that reflect Hawaii itself.
Hawaii is famous for hula dancing, so incorporate this traditional dance into your cake. Pipe a buttercream figure on top of a sheet cake or purchase plastic hula dancers to top cakes and cupcakes. If you enjoy working with gum paste and fondant, sculpt the dancing figure yourself.
Sandcastle Cakes
A stunningly simple sandcastle is the perfect topper for a cake. Mold one using fondant and cover it in fine light brown sugar if you don't want to use a purchased cake topper. Expert cake decorators might even consider stacking layer cakes together and carving a castle themselves.
Modern Hawaiian Cakes
While traditional Hawaiian cakes may have traditional tropical flowers, consider making a modern Hawaiian cake for a special occasion. These designs work especially well with a chocolate frosted cake.
Macadamia Nut Cake
Macadamia nuts are a favorite treat for tourists and natives alike. Add a roasted cluster with simple syrup to the top of any slice of cake as a simple way to honor Hawaii. Crushing macadamia nuts and adding them to the sides of a cake is another quick and easy way to incorporate them into your cake.
Hibiscus Flower Cake
The hibiscus is the state flower of Hawaii. It is the perfect floral choice for any cake that is supposed to reflect a Hawaiian theme. On a basic cake, a simple bouquet of fresh hibiscus is the perfect topper. For elaborate anniversary, wedding or birthday cakes, make gum paste versions to place on tiers.
Hawaii State Flag Cake
Sheet cakes are easy to bake and decorate, as they require no filling or stacking. The best way to represent Hawaii in a sheet cake is to create the Hawaii state flag. Pipe the design with buttercream stars, or cut strips of fondant to represent the colors and design of the flag.
Sea Life Cake
Starfish are commonly found along the beach shores in Hawaii. Incorporate starfish and other sea life, like dolphins or turtles, into an animal themed cake.
Beach Cake Designs
A pair of beach chairs resting atop a cake frosted in ocean blue and accented with shells is a great Hawaiian themed cake. This design is simple enough for any intermediate decorator, but looks impressive on a tabletop.
