One recent trend in cakes is to decorate multi-layered cakes such that each layer has a unique design but when those layers are put together, they represent a famous character.
Here are three great examples:
This cake was created by Pink Icing.
Woody began as a ventriloquist’s dummy before becoming a stuffed cowboy pull-string doll. He was named after actor Woody Strode from the westerns. (Toy Story Trivia Hubpage)
This cake was created by Lovebug20
Starting out as Tinny, then Lunar Larry, then Tempus from Morph, the new toy on the scene finally became Buzz Lightyear. He was named after U.S. astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his suit was modeled after Apollo astronauts with a little GI Joe thrown in. (Toy Story Trivia Hubpage)
This cake was created by CareyI