Sponge cake, frosting, and colorful sprinkles. It doesn’t sound all that innovative—or even that exciting—but this very simple combination has set the internet on fire.
Dot cakes were first created at The Dotcakes bakery in Roslyn, New York, by baker Alex Posner back in 2017, but in the last few weeks, they’ve gone viral on social media. Why? There are probably a few reasons. They’re bright, colorful, and undeniably fun to look at, making them the perfect fodder for Reels and TikTok videos. Plus, they taste good, evoke the nostalgia of a childhood birthday cake, and deliver a satisfying crunch thanks to the thick layer of nonpareils covering the top.
While she might be the dot cake mastermind, Posner is under no illusions that this suddenly viral dessert is anything particularly groundbreaking. “People say it’s just cake and sprinkles,” she told The New York Times. “Because it is just cake and sprinkles.”
In another interview with USA Today, she elaborated: “We don’t think there was one single moment that caused it [to go viral]. Instead, a number of creators began sharing Dotcups and Dotcakes online, and people seemed to connect with the nostalgia, the visual appeal, and the joy that the product brings.”
“Social media certainly accelerated things, but I think people are ultimately responding to something that feels fun, familiar, and celebratory.”
It’s also worth noting that dot cakes bear a striking resemblance to cortadillo, a Mexican sheet cake topped with frosting and bright, colorful sprinkles. Many people on social media have pointed out the similarities, with some dubbing cortadillo “the OG viral Dot Cake.”
Want to try a Dot Cake—or a slice of cortadillo—for yourself? You can always make a vegan version from scratch (try these vegan dot cupcakes from The Little Blog of Vegan or this vegan cortadillo recipe from Dora’s Table), but you can also turn it into a bakery outing.
Many vegan and vegan-friendly bakeries across the country have jumped on the Dot Cake trend. Check out some of our favorites below.
1 Erin McKenna’s Bakery
Los Angeles, CA
One of the first vegan bakeries to jump on the Dot Cake craze was Erin McKenna’s Bakery in Los Angeles. The popular gluten-free, vegan bakery quickly rolled out Dot Cake Cups in three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and vanilla with strawberry frosting. They’re now available for nationwide shipping, meaning you don’t have to be in Southern California to get in on the trend. But arguably the best part is the branding. As Erin McKenna’s puts it, it’s officially a “Dot Girl Summer.” Agreed.
Abbysveganeats/Instagram
2 Moonbird Bakery
Santa Ana, and Newport Beach, CA
Moonbird Bakery may not be fully vegan, but the gluten-free, dairy-free bakery has made its Dot Cakes completely plant-based. To try one for yourself, head to its Santa Ana bakery (open on Fridays only and pre-orders are essential) or stop by its stand at the Irvine Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
3Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen
Laguna Hills, CA
Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen was also quick to embrace the dot cake craze, but not without putting its own spin on the trend. While its dot cakes look much like the viral original, they’re made with dye-free sprinkles and infused with adaptogens. As the bakery put it on Instagram, they’re “not your regular viral dot cake,” but one that’s “made nourishing and healing using wholesome ingredients.” Better yet, Giselle’s Vegan Kitchen is offering nationwide shipping, so you can try its wellness-inspired take no matter where you live.
Goji Berry
4 Goji Berry
Phoenix, AZ
Goji Berry in Phoenix was ahead of the dot cake trend. Long before the sprinkle-covered cakes went viral, the plant-based bakery was already selling a similar vegan treat topped with funfetti frosting. In fact, Goji Berry says the colorful cakes have long been “a staple” in its pastry case.
All Roads Vegan
5 All Roads Vegan
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
All Roads Vegan in Lake Hopatcong wasn’t about to miss out on the dot cake craze. The bakery quickly jumped on the trend and now serves the colorful treat in its signature cups. But before diving into dessert, consider fueling up with one of its savory favorites, like a vegan egg-and-cheese burrito.
Mr Natural
6 Mr Natural
Austin, TX
If you’d rather try the OG dot cake, head to Mr. Natural in Austin. The Hispanic family-owned bakery and restaurant offers a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options, including slices of traditional Mexican pink cake, also known as cortadillo.
Soy Concha Bakery
7 Soy Concha Bakery
East LA, CA
The team at Soy Concha Bakery seemed a little amused when customers started referring to its classic cortadillo as a dot cake. Rather than resist the comparison, the bakery leaned in. “Guys, apparently we have ‘Dot Cake,’ just that we call it Cortadillo,” it joked in a social media post. “Stop by and get some vegan Dot Cake.”
Vegan Vatoz Casa de’ Tacos
8 Vegan Vatoz Casa de’ Tacos
Riverside, CA
What better way to follow up vegan tacos than with a vegan dot cake? Vegan Vatoz in Riverside clearly agrees. The vegan Mexican eatery has put its own spin on the viral trend with a version made from chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and a generous coating of rainbow sprinkles.
Mad Vegan Co
9 Mad Vegan Co
Oakland, CA
Like several bakeries already making cortadillo, Mad Vegan Co. seems a little amused by the dot cake phenomenon. The Oakland vegan panadería recently poked fun at the trend on Instagram, posting a Reel with the caption: “when Dot Cakes are trending, but you know cortadillo when you see it.” Curious to compare the two for yourself? Just make sure to preorder first.
Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen
10Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen
Pasadena, CA
This Pasadena plant-based favorite has not one, but two signature takes on the viral dot cake. The first is a classic confetti cake topped with vanilla buttercream dots, while the second features confetti cake and vanilla soft-serve dots. How will you choose? We say don’t. Have both.
The Vegan Doughnut Co
11 The Vegan Doughnut Co
Lakewood, OH
Beloved Ohio doughnut spot The Vegan Doughnut Co. has also jumped on the dot cake bandwagon. The bakery is currently serving up plant-based dot cakes that are not only vegan, but also dye-free, nut-free, and soy-free—making them a great option for anyone navigating food allergies, too.
Bright & Early Vegan Bakery
12 Bright & Early Vegan Bakery
Durham, NC
Bright & Early Vegan Bakery has also embraced the dot cake trend for its customers in downtown Durham. You can pick up one of its vegan dot cakes at the bakery’s local pop-ups—just keep an eye on social media for the latest locations. Better yet, gluten-free options are available, too.
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
