Viral Dot Cakes Hit Supermarket Shelves: The Colourful Treat Everyone Is Talking About
If your social media feed has been filled with tiny cakes covered in rainbow sprinkles, you’re not alone. Dot cakes have become one of the most talked-about desserts of the year, with fans queuing for hours to get their hands on them. Now, the viral treat is finally landing in supermarkets, with Co-op becoming the first UK supermarket to stock its own version. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Dot Cakes?
Dot cakes are small, layered cakes made with soft sponge, creamy frosting and a flat top completely covered in tiny, crunchy nonpareil sprinkles, the “dots” that give them their name. They’re often served in a cup and eaten with a spoon, so every bite gets a little of each layer. Their bright, playful look made them perfect for TikTok and Instagram, where videos of the colourful cakes have racked up huge numbers of views.
Where Did the Trend Start?
The craze began with The Dotcakes, a bakery run by a mother-daughter team in New York. The business started in 2019 when founder Alex Posner made a sprinkle-covered cake to celebrate a friend’s college decision, and the idea quickly took off. The bakery’s cakes became so popular that fans and tourists lined up down the street for hours to try one.
Co-op Brings Dot Cakes to the UK
UK shoppers no longer need a trip to New York to join the trend. Co-op launched its own dot cakes on 26 October, priced at £2.50 each, in two flavours:
- Raspberry & Vanilla Dot Cake: vanilla-flavour sponge layered with raspberry jam and vanilla-flavour frosting, topped with multicoloured sugar decorations
- Chocolate & Salted Caramel Dot Cake: chocolate-flavour sponge layered with salted caramel and chocolate-caramel flavour frosting, finished with white and milk chocolate crispy balls
Early taste tests on social media have been positive, with shoppers praising the soft, layered sponge and noting that the cakes aren’t dry.
Dot Cakes Are Spreading in the US Too
The trend is also reaching more shoppers in the United States. The original Dotcakes bakery recently rolled out its cakes to select Costco locations nationwide in six-packs of 4.5-ounce cakes, with three chocolate and three vanilla, priced at around $14.89. Fans have been sharing videos of grabbing the last packs on the shelf, showing just how quickly they’re selling.
Other Ways to Try Them
If you’d rather support an independent bakery, some UK bakers are making their own versions too. London bakery Crumbs & Doilies sells packs of five vanilla or chocolate dot cakes for £35. You can also make a simple version at home by layering sponge and buttercream in a small cup and pressing rainbow nonpareils over the top for that signature finish.
Why Everyone Loves Them
Part of the appeal is how fun they look. The bright sprinkles make dot cakes instantly eye-catching and perfect for sharing online, while the small size makes them an easy, affordable treat. They’re also a great fit for birthdays, celebrations and party tables, where a colourful dessert always stands out.
The Bottom Line
Dot cakes have gone from a New York bakery favourite to a supermarket treat, and they’re now easier to find than ever. Whether you grab one from Co-op for £2.50 or try a pack from an independent bakery, it’s a sweet and simple way to join one of the year’s biggest food trends.
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