Co-op is set to become the first national UK retailer to bring the viral dot cake trend to supermarket shelves, launching its own versions of the colourful treats from Monday, October 26.
The cakes, created by New York-based cakery The Dot Cakes, went viral over the summer as social media users across the US filmed themselves eating the simple dessert – a cup filled with cake, spread with frosting, and topped with a layer of colourful rainbow sprinkles.
Two flavours hitting shelves
Co-op will offer two flavours: a Raspberry & Vanilla Dot Cake (166g), featuring vanilla flavour sponge layered with raspberry jam and vanilla flavour frosting, topped with more frosting and multi-coloured sugar decorations. There is also a Chocolate & Salted Caramel Dot Cake (177g), with a chocolate flavour sponge, salted caramel sauce, and a chocolate and caramel frosting, finished with milk and white chocolate crispy balls.
Each cake costs £2.50 and will be available in more than 1,600 Co-op stores across the UK.
Co-op's excitement and online scepticism
Kevin Sargent, senior product development manager for cake at Co-op, said: 'We're excited to be hot on the heels of one of this year's biggest food trends by being the first retailer to bring them to shops across the UK.'
However, not everyone is convinced by the trend. On Reddit, users have expressed scepticism, with one writing: 'It's just sprinkles on cake, I don't get the novelty, it's not new.' Another commented: 'I've been watching this trend for the last couple of weeks, and trying to understand why so many people think that this is an extraordinary dessert. […] This is pretty much a pass for me.'
A taste test verdict
A Metro food writer who tried the cakes early noted that the UK version's sprinkles appear more muted in colour than the US original, due to strict UK laws on artificial colourings – including the ban on E127, a bright pink food colouring sometimes used in US sprinkles. The writer found both cakes incredibly sweet, preferring the Raspberry & Vanilla for its nostalgic flavour, while the chocolate version tasted artificial. The cakes are set to hit Co-op shelves on October 26.
