Mmm, buttercream. It’s the mortar of the new Millennial baker, binding and bonding their soft, airy cakes in colours straight out of Barbie’s party wardrobe. Made by whipping beaten egg whites with softened butter and sugar over gentle heat, buttercream is rich, silky-sweet, and completely over the top. That’s the point.

Gone are the last decade’s “naked” cakes, proudly un-iced, undecorated and minimalist, as a new wave of cake bakers and decorators get busy with piping bags, turntables and offset spatulas.