What Are Dot Cakes, the Internet’s Latest Obsession?
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Dotcakes, a simple dessert cup topped with frosting and sprinkles, have become a viral sensation, drawing long lines and social media attention despite their basic ingredients.
- Created by Alex Posner of the Dotcakes bakery in Roslyn, N.Y., these treats are exported to Butterfield Market locations in New York and have inspired variations like dotcake-themed ice cream, doughnuts, and manicures.
- The craze has led to customized dotcakes for special occasions such as weddings and bar mitzvahs, and sparked numerous copycats from other bakeries and grocery stores.
- Fans, including young TikTok tourists, compare the dotcake phenomenon to past viral food trends like Starbucks' Unicorn Frappuccinos and Crumbl Cookies, highlighting the ongoing appeal of social media-driven food crazes.