In the world of food trends, hyper-realistic cactus cupcakes—playfully dubbed 'caketus'—are taking Instagram and Pinterest by storm. These stunning creations originated across the Atlantic with pastry chef Jiahn Kang. In 2015, the former jeweler launched her Brooklyn bakery and leveraged Instagram as a showcase for her innovative designs. The strategy paid off: orders flooded in, fans became obsessed, and she now hosts workshops to share her signature techniques. Her shop's Instagram account boasts over 32,500 dedicated followers.
While flower-, fruit-, and animal-themed cupcakes are common, Jiahn Kang's stand out for their meticulous color work and intricate details that mimic real cacti. Each one takes 4 to 5 hours to complete, with every element hand-painted and decorated. 'Colors are the key to realism—mixing dyes into cream feels just like painting,' she shares. Riding this wave of success, the New York pastry chef now offers custom cakes while staying true to her beloved mini-cacti.
These would make the perfect indulgent snack—who wouldn't want one?
