What is a dot cake?

A dot cake is a single-serving cake assembled in a small cup or jar instead of on a plate. A layer of soft cake is topped with a thick, flat layer of frosting, spread evenly to the rim of the container, then coated in rainbow sprinkles. That dense layer of sprinkles on top is what gives the cake its name and its signature look.

The appeal is largely nostalgia. The combination of soft cake, creamy frosting, and a crunchy sprinkle topping reminds a lot of people of the cakes and frosting-and-sprinkles desserts they grew up with. Because everything is portioned into individual cups, dot cakes are also easy to make ahead.

How to make the viral dot cake at home

Start by baking a simple vanilla cake. Beat the eggs with the sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt until light and fluffy, then mix in the oil and milk before sifting in the flour and baking powder. Bake in a greased pan until golden brown, then let the cake cool completely before doing anything else with it. A warm cake will fall apart under the cookie cutter and won’t hold the frosting properly.

Once the cake is fully cooled, use a cookie cutter to cut it into bite-sized pieces in your desired shape and size.

While the cake bakes and cools, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, and whipping cream stabilizer(optional) together, then gradually add the heavy cream while mixing until stiff. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag and chill it briefly in the fridge, this makes it easier to pipe neatly and helps it hold its shape.

Pipe the frosting over each cake piece and smooth the surface flat. This flat, even layer is what the sprinkles will stick to. While the frosting is still soft, press the top of each cake bite upside down into a bowl of nonpareils until the frosting is completely covered.

Chill the finished cake bites in the fridge until firm before serving.