A Lambeth cake is a cake covered in layers of piped buttercream: borders piped on top of borders, with frills, swags, shells and pearls. It's the look behind the vintage heart cakes you've probably seen everywhere, and it's one of the most romantic finishes a cake can have.
Where the name comes from
The style is named after Joseph Lambeth, a baker who wrote about the overpiping method in the 1930s. Overpiping means building piped decoration up in layers, so the borders stand out from the cake and catch the light.
What a Lambeth cake looks like
- Layered borders: rows of piped shells and scrolls, stacked one over another.
- Frills and swags: buttercream draped around the sides like fabric.
- Finishing touches: sugar pearls, cherries, bows or a piped message.
- Often a heart: the vintage heart cake is the best-known shape for the style today.
Vintage cakes from our kitchen
Our vintage-piped cakes take their cue from the style. Sweetly Vintage is a heart-shaped cake with vintage cream piping, satin bows and gold and pink baubles. The Wisteria Cake has vintage-style piping in wisteria purple and cream, with sugar pearls.
When to choose one
A Lambeth-style cake suits a birthday, an engagement, an anniversary or Valentine's Day, anywhere a bit of romance belongs on the table. It also suits a 60th birthday.
Want your own design?
For a Lambeth cake in your own colours, or with a message in the piping, send us a bespoke enquiry with your date and any photos you love. Allow at least two weeks.
Questions about Lambeth cakes
Is a Lambeth cake the same as a vintage heart cake?
A vintage heart cake is usually a Lambeth-style cake on a heart shape. Lambeth describes the overpiped decoration, whatever the shape.
What is overpiping?
Piping layers of buttercream on top of each other, so the decoration builds up in relief.