The dreamlike cakes of Hana Betakova aka růstcakes
A Berlin-based baker crafts wildly imaginative edible art
I’ve had Hana’s cakes bookmarked for years, watching as she turns vegan cake into sculptures that look almost too magical to eat. Her work feels like it belongs in a Grimm’s fairy tale with its dark folklore and enchanted forests. Each cake isn’t just a dessert; it’s a whole world waiting to be discovered.
Name: hana betakova (růstcakes)
Location: berlin
Recent obsession: cyberpunk 2077
What is your background and how did you begin baking cakes? Had you always been a baker or is this a more recent passion?
i was always around kitchens, ever since my first part-time job when i was 14. i stopped eating meat quit early in my life, so i was learning how to cook vegan and bake as a teenager. during university, i found a part-time job in a restaurant as a cook, and quickly realized that i wanted to pursue it on a more professional level. after i did that, i kept coming back to baking as it’s way less stressful, and decided to stick with it. i took my baking in the artistic direction in 2020.
Each cake you create is unique — like an abstract artwork. I imagine they are what I might stumble upon in a forest, for a snail or a dragon’s birthday party. How did you end up with your signature style of organic, fantastical cakes?
thank you! it’s important for me that it never repeats, as i believe that there is freedom in change.
(it just happened lol.)
What are some of the things that inspire you? I see lots of flora and fauna motifs in your work, as well as medieval / fantasy and a little fairy tale… where do these motifs come from?
anything from contemporary culture to childhood nostalgia, fantasy, games, nature, subcultures, but sometimes it’s just a very intuitive process in which i don’t focus on inspiration too much and just try to create something new.
There’s something really beautiful about making ephemeral art, and we can experience a cake using so many more of our senses than we can, say, a concrete sculpture. After we look at it, we can then taste and touch it -- I assume as a baker you must not only think about aesthetics but also the taste and touch quality of each cake. What kind of planning goes into each cake?
yesss! taste is definitely a factor, and people are often surprised to find that it also tastes good. i find this comical because its still food, and my approach to my medium is definitely holistic (unless i would wanna make it taste off intentionally.) i wouldn’t make anything i wouldn’t like to eat myself tbh.
How long does one cake take to make?
it really depends on the flavor, size, style of decoration, and—of course—conceptualizing.
What kind of folks are commissioning your cakes? I’m imagining your customer as David Bowie from Labyrinth…
any kind of folk, doesn’t matter.
You also make inedible sculptures and objects. Tell me a little about that.
i went through a phase and i really enjoyed it as i was making cute weapons, usually inspired by gaming aesthetics.
↪ Follow Hana on Instagram @rustcakes and order a cake here.
I month think there is a better description than the one you gave here. "Her work feels like it belongs in a Grimm’s fairy tale with its dark folklore and enchanted forests." They are exquisite, and now I am salivating and wishing I could take a bite.
Super creative cakes ❤️