22/09/2026
A little cake-maker PSA 💎🎂
Gemstone cakes are everywhere at the moment — and they are gorgeous. But some of the versions I’m seeing are covered in small plastic/acrylic craft gems and rhinestones, and I really think we need to think twice about putting these directly onto food.
Once dozens of tiny decorations are scattered over a cake, it can be incredibly easy for one to end up in a slice unnoticed — particularly when the cake is being cut and served at a busy party. And with children especially, a tiny decoration that looks like a sweet or jelly is not something I’d be comfortable taking a chance with.
The good news is that the look can be created with edible alternatives. Jelly gems, isomalt, boiled-sweet style decorations, edible sugar jewels — there are ways to get that beautiful jewel-box effect without covering a cake in tiny inedible pieces.
And if an edible version isn't practical? It's okay to say no.
As cake makers, we don't have to recreate every trend we see online. A trend being beautiful, popular or viral doesn't automatically make it appropriate for a cake.
If it looks edible and it's small enough to accidentally be eaten, I'd rather make it edible. 💎
Pretty matters. But food safety matters more.
