Unicorn cakes work because there is no single correct unicorn. They can be pastel and delicate, rainbow-bright, sculptural, funny or completely over the top. The useful starting point is not the trend; it is the child: favourite colours, age, number of guests and whether they want something pretty, playful or gloriously silly.
For current children's designs, browse our Children's Cakes. If rainbow sponge is the important bit, see our Rainbow Cakes.
1. The classic unicorn mane cake
A smooth buttercream cake with a horn, ears, eyelashes and a piped mane remains the most recognisable unicorn design. Keep the colour palette to three or four shades so the piping looks intentional rather than chaotic.
2. A sculpted unicorn topper
A hand-modelled unicorn gives you more freedom than the classic face-on-a-cake style. The figure can sit on top, peek over the edge or become part of a small scene. For younger children, a smiling character usually reads better than an ultra-realistic model.
3. Rainbow sponge inside
A calm exterior and rainbow layers inside creates the surprise when the cake is cut. If you are baking at home, divide the batter accurately by weight so the coloured layers bake evenly.
4. The unicorn-bum cake
A unicorn disappearing into the cake, complete with rainbow tail, is ridiculous in exactly the right way. It works especially well when the rest of the cake is simple enough for the joke to be obvious.
5. A miniature unicorn cake
For a small celebration, a tiny cake can feel more special than an oversized one. Scale down the decoration too: one horn, a small mane and a restrained sprinkle border are enough.
6. Clouds, stars and a softer palette
Unicorn does not have to mean neon rainbow. Ivory, blush, lilac, powder blue and pale gold create a softer design, with clouds, stars and tiny piped details instead of a full multicolour mane.
7. A unicorn number cake
Use the birthday age as the main shape and add small unicorn details around it. This is particularly good for milestone children's birthdays because the age remains visible in photographs.
8. Buttercream flowers and unicorn details
For an older child or teenager, swap some of the cartoon decoration for piped flowers, pearls and a restrained horn or pair of ears. It keeps the theme without making the cake feel too young.
9. Cupcakes around a centrepiece
A smaller unicorn cake surrounded by cupcakes is useful when you need easy individual portions. Keep the cupcakes simple and repeat one detail from the main cake, such as a cloud, horn, star or rainbow.
10. A full unicorn-and-rainbow cakescape
When subtle is not the brief, combine several unicorn figures, rainbow details, clouds and multiple cake elements. Our current Unicorns & Rainbows Cakescape Cake is an example of this more theatrical approach.
How to choose the design
- Start with portions: choose the size for the people being served before deciding how many decorative elements will fit.
- Choose a palette: three or four colours usually look more polished than every colour in the decorating cupboard.
- Use the child's actual interests: favourite colours, stars, clouds, rainbows or flowers make the cake feel personal without needing an entirely new concept.
- Check allergens: decorations, sprinkles, chocolate and macarons can add allergens beyond those in the sponge and frosting.
- Plan transport: tall horns and modelled toppers are vulnerable. Secure removable decorations for transport and account for any non-edible supports before serving.
Unicorns are mythical, which is conveniently liberating: there is no rulebook to break. Make the design recognisable, then make it belong to the person whose birthday it is.
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