Earlier this summer, a New York business launched a product that was designed to go viral. And it has. If you haven’t seen the dot cakes that have been bouncing around on social media for weeks, they are layered cups filled with cake, buttercream frosting, and a thick layer of crunchy rainbow sprinkles on top.
There’s a lot to love about the diminutive desserts. They’re fun, colorful, customizable and the layer of nonpareil sprinkles are pleasing to both the eyes and the ears, as influencers scrape across the surface for a little ASMR element to videos.
They’ve been in and around the Wilmington area this summer, too. As occasional specials at local bakeries, and as “dot cake” lattes at coffee shops like Cielo Cafe. The basic formula makes room
for versions with ice cream, different fillings, and color schemes. But there are a few local businesses that plan to keep the dot cakes on the menu, at least while the trend is still trending. Here’s a look at some of them.
The BakeShop by Three Friends Coffee
In June, this bakery that’s a part of the Three Friends coffee brand hosted a Dot Cakes After Dark event where attendees could choose a dot cake flavor (like red velvet and banana pudding) and get a signature latte for a special price. Otherwise, this cafe will be offering a rotating selection of dot cake flavors, like Confetti and Strawberry Lemonade, on the weekends at 203 Racine Drive, Wilmington.
Burney’s Sweets and More Hampstead
Many of the dot cakes are small, but when this location of the popular bakery added them to the menu at the end of June, they offered them in a 32-ounce container. Perfect for solo enjoyment or sharing with a friend. They come in chocolate and vanilla varieties. Also look for different color schemes for holidays, at 14542 U.S. 17 in Hampstead.
STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.
OKI Scoop Shop and Donuts
This doughnut-and-ice cream shop uses what they have for their version of the dot cake. And the best part is that it will be available all summer, if a customer requests one. You could say it's on their “secret menu.” It’s an interpretation of their doughnut sundae, but just layered in a way that substitutes the fried pastry for cake, and ice cream for icing. But the sprinkles are bountiful. They are at 4922 E, Oak Island Drive in Oak Island.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Viral dot cakes are taking over Wilmington-area bakeries
