Pastries and Pop Culture: Some of the Sweetest Trends in History

Pop culture and pastries go together like butter and flour - perfectly! Over the years, TV shows, movies and even viral social media moments have shaped the way dessert lovers indulge in sweet treats. Whether it’s the rise of macarons fit for a queen (literally), the cupcake craze of the early 2000s or today’s TikTok-trending treats, pop culture has had a delicious hand in influencing our sugar-coated cravings! 

Allegations that former French Queen Marie Antoinette once famously quipped "let them eat cake,” solidified dessert's historical status as a symbol of extravagance (even if little evidence exists that she actually uttered this).  However, there can be no denying that as the ultimate aesthetic treat, macarons - which feature heavily in Sofia Coppola's same-titled 2006 movie - have an air of royalty about them. 

 

Following its release, the delicate French confection gained mainstream popularity. However, the film's dreamy pastel-hued Laduree creations weren’t just eye candy for the screen - they sent macaron sales skyrocketing worldwide and made them a must-have on high tea menus across the world. Royal title not required! 

Iconic noughties series ‘Sex And The City’ was famed for its fashions, fabulous females and frosted sweet treats. More specifically cupcakes, which launched into the sweet stratosphere when Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes were spotted munching on a pretty, pink, iced bite outside Magnolia Bakery. Almost overnight, cupcakes became the must-have dessert for every occasion, from bridal showers to business meetings. Boutique cupcake bakeries popped up everywhere, offering gourmet flavours like red velvet, salted caramel and matcha. The craze may have cooled, but cupcakes will always have a special place in our hearts (and stomachs).

In ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly offers one of the most iconic cinematic - and sugar-filled - moments. The scene unfolds with Holly, impeccably dressed in a little black dress, oversized sunglasses and pearls, sitting on the steps of Tiffany & Co. in New York City. With a paper bag in hand, she enjoys a Danish pastry and a cup of coffee while staring dreamily at the sparkling windows of the famed jewellery store. The image of a woman, polished and poised, indulging in the simple pleasure of breakfast, all while surrounded by a world of luxury, has left an indelible mark on pop culture.

 

Today, Holly’s modest breakfast moment juxtaposed with the glamour of Tiffany’s continues to symbolise a life of aspiration, while still appreciating the everyday moments. 

When MasterChef Australia first aired in 2009, it didn’t just launch a new wave of home-cooking enthusiasts, it turned Adriano Zumbo into a household name. 

 

His now-iconic croquembouche challenge had contestants (and viewers) sweating bullets as they attempted to construct the towering French dessert made of delicate choux pastry and caramel. The moment was as dramatic as any reality TV twist and it sent patisserie-style desserts soaring in popularity. Suddenly, home bakers were attempting spun sugar, eclairs and entremets, proving that even the most intimidating desserts could become the next big trend with a little pop culture push.

In 2010, Julia Roberts took us on a journey of self-discovery in the movie version of author Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. While slices of pizza and scoops of authentic Italian ice cream were the epicurean stars, a fleeting - almost unnoticed moment - highlighted the power of a pretty pastry in living la Dolce Vita.

In a brief but memorable scene, Liz shares a quiet moment with her friend Sofi in a crowded cafe, where the two enjoy a classic Napoleon (mille-feuille) - that multilayered pastry of crispy, flaky goodness, filled with rich cream. While not a spotlight-stealing exchange, this sweet treat seems to symbolise the idea of taking pleasure in the simplest things. 

Inspired by the classic Roald Dahl book of the same name, the 1996 movie version of ‘Matilda’, made for a truly memorable moment for massive chocolate cakes. For the unfamiliar, the scene plays out with food-loving student Bruce Bogtrotter forced - by bullying headmistress Miss Trunchbull - to eat an entire cake as punishment. What could have been a scene of sheer humiliation, instead became a triumphant moment of rebellion and resilience, immortalising chocolate cake as the ultimate comfort food. 

 

Crime and cannoli combine in ‘The Godfather’ - when the humble Italian pastry presents a moment of indulgence amidst mafia chaos. When Clemenza famously instructs, "Leave the gun, take the cannoli," it’s more than a line about dessert; it’s a statement about finding solace in life’s simple pleasures, even in turbulent times. This iconic line has evolved into a culinary catchphrase, underscoring the significance of treating yourself to a moment of sweetness amidst life’s chaos. 

In ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, what starts as a simple dinner between the parents of Toula (Nia Vardalos) and Ian (John Corbett) quickly turns into a hilarious and heartwarming cultural collision. Toula's mother, Maria has been busy preparing a huge feast, as is customary in her close-knit Greek family. Meanwhile, Ian’s parents arrive with a small bundt cake, mistakenly thinking the dinner is a modest affair for just six people. The comedic confusion escalates when Maria, eager to improve the dessert, places a flower pot in the centre of the cake. The awkward plant doesn’t fit properly, but her well-meaning gesture is a charming reflection of her intentions.

 

The bundt cake becomes a symbol of the cultural misunderstandings between Toula’s Greek family and Ian’s more reserved American parents. As the two families awkwardly exchange pleasantries and attempt to explain the bundt, it’s clear that communication is lost in translation. Yet, despite their differences, they find a common ground. The scene perfectly encapsulates the sweet, sometimes clumsy, but always genuine effort to bridge cultural gaps, with the bundt cake serving as a humorous and endearing metaphor for the complexities of family, tradition, and love.

Finally, the rise of social media has taken baking trends to another level - with TikTok and Instagram transforming ordinary home bakers into dessert trendsetters, whipping up viral treats faster than you can say ‘sourdough starter’. Who could forget the cronut craze (a croissant-doughnut hybrid) or the galaxy mirror glaze cakes that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie? More recently, crookies (croissant cookies) and 3D jelly cakes have taken over our feeds, proving that if it’s eye-catching and delicious, it’s bound to go viral.