10 Light Academia-Inspired Desserts

You’ve seen dark academia-themed desserts, now give the lemon drizzle cakes and panna cottas of light academia a try

If you think dark academia is a better aesthetic than light academia, you obviously haven’t given the latter a fair chance. While dark academia celebrates the intrigue, charm, magnetism and dark romanticism of academia, light academia upholds the sunny, upbeat and vibrant aspects of scholarly life. If dark academia-themed desserts centre around dark chocolate, caramel, caramelised nuts and coffee, the desserts inspired by light academia are about lighter notes, which are palatable and also about celebrating seasonal produce.

Think edible flowers adorning a layered naked sponge cake, a light nutty tea cake or a rich but refreshing lemon sorbet with honey crackers, something that makes you think you’re picnic-ing in a sunny meadow. Here are some ideas which are themed around the light academia aesthetic

Lemon Lavender Chiffon Cake

The dreamy confection captures the essence of a sun-drenched afternoon on a university campus. The airy chiffon cake is infused with the zesty notes of lemon and the delicate floral hints of lavender. It’s the perfect day dessert and you can amp up the look with some candied fruit peel garnish

Strawberry Basil Sorbet

A sorbet is the perfect dessert to match the light academia aesthetic. Fruity sorbets embody the freshness and vitality of a well-tended garden. This vibrant dessert features the bright sweetness of ripe strawberries complemented by the herbal undertones of basil.

White Chocolate Raspberry Tart

A visual delight with its luscious ruby red raspberries nestled atop a bed of velvety white chocolate ganache, this dessert radiates sophistication. The delicious blend of sweet and tart flavors is satisfying and yet the confection does not feel too rich or too dense despite the heavy chocolate

Apricot and Almond Tea Cake

A golden-hued creation that transports you to a quaint teahouse overlooking a courtyard. The subtle sweetness of apricots is complemented by the nutty richness of almonds; it’s easy to dress this cake but can also go without one since it has a tender crumb and can be styled with edible flowers as well

Pistachio Rosewater Meringues

Rosewater can be an excellent ingredient if you want a potent and elegant aroma in your desserts. The crisp exterior of the meringues gives way to a light and airy interior and the subtle floral essence of rosewater adds a touch of romance. You can also try adding more nuts but make sure they don’t clash with the overall flavour

Earl Grey and Honey Madeleines

These petite shell-shaped cakes, infused with the aromatic notes of Earl Grey tea and the golden sweetness of honey, embody the simple pleasures of indulging in a solo reading session in a dreamy meadow on a pleasant winter morning

The Coconut Mango Panna Cotta

A summery treat adorned with a vibrant mango coulis, each spoonful of this panna cotta feels like a tropical escape. You can go for a golden or caramelised top, but make sure you avoid any bitter or dark notes in the base flavour

Rosewater Raspberry Pavlova

Nestled on a cloud-like bed of meringue, the pavlova is adorned with swirls of rosewater-infused whipped cream and a cascade of fresh raspberries. The pavlova's crisp exterior gives way to a marshmallow-soft interior, creating a sensory experience highlighted by the rosy notes

Apple Sage Galette

The flaky, golden pastry cradles thinly sliced apples, their sweetness heightened by the aromatic presence of sage. This dessert has a rustic charm and you can also think of using fresh herbs or microgreens in its mix

Honey Lavender Ice Cream Sandwiches

Delicate lavender-infused honey ice cream is sandwiched between two tender shortbread cookies. The floral notes and honeyed sweetness intertwine in a dance of flavors, evoking the essence of blooming gardens