If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, Pinterest, or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the rise of viral dot cakes. These minimalist cakes are just cakes in little jars. Layers of fluffy cake are covered in rainbow nonpareils or “dots”. That is it. Actually, the real dot cakes are only ONE layer of cake, some frosting, and sprinkles. You can level them up with a few more layers if you wish (see my dot cake recipe below). Some people also call these “rainbow jar cakes,” but it’s all the same. This homemade viral dot cakes recipe is so easy to make and VERY beginner-friendly. If you feel like joining the trend, I have a dot cake recipe for you.
In this guide, we’ll explain what viral dot cakes are, why they became such a huge trend, and how you can create your own stunning dot cake at home.
As with any internet trend, no one knows how or why it catapults into relevance at any given moment. Before this week, I never heard of dot cakes, but I, of course, love to put cake scraps into jars- and yes, it is the same thing. The internet has completely lost its mind over these little single-serving cakes packed into mini containers, and honestly? The hype is somewhat earned. I love a personal-sized cake. Here’s everything you need to know about where the viral dot cakes recipe came from, why they went viral, and how to make a homemade dot cake that tastes just as good as the original.
What Is a Dot Cake?
A dot cake is a single-serving cake layered directly into a small cup or jar. Originally sold at Butterfield Market in NYC, these little cakes quickly became viral after influencers shared videos of themselves snacking on them. It is just cake, frosting, and sprinkles — all packed into an adorable, portable container with tiny dot sprinkles covering the top. I mean, I do get that the presentation is part of the appeal: the smooth, level frosting top, the colorful sprinkles, it makes you want to dig a spoon in. In the videos, these dot cakes are only one layer, and I think you can level them up by adding a few extra layers, à la cake in a jar.
If you want to make an exact copycat dot cake, then it is just one cake layer, a thin spread of frosting, and rainbow sprinkles.
Most viral dot cakes feature:
- Smooth american buttercream frosting
- Classic standard birthday cake (not chiffon)
- Rainbow Nonpareil sprinkles or “dots”
Where Did this Viral Dot Cakes Recipe Come From?
Dot cakes started getting serious attention thanks to Butterfield Market, a specialty grocery store on the Upper East Side of New York City. Influencer Greta posted this video and started a trend.
The TikTok response has been a big driver (as with any internet trend). Reviewers keep coming back to two things: the nostalgia factor and the format. I mean, it is just American buttercream and a sweet vanilla frosting, so it makes sense that tasters describe it as “a childhood birthday party”. Because, well, it is birthday cake in a cup.
When I say format, I mean in the era of watching creators eat food in their car, we tend to look for the “hook” moment, and there is just something about digging a spoon into those sprinkles or “dots” that makes it hard to look away. Dare I say, it is “satisfying”? I think my millennial is showing, so I will stop now.
How do I make the viral dot cakes recipe?
The good news: you don’t need to fly to New York. You need a few ingredients, jars or cups, a cake recipe you love, a frosting recipe, and sprinkles.
What You’ll Need
- Mini Jars or Cups (I like these ones if you choose the glass route or if you want to be even more authentic and use paper cups, like the real dot cakes, I recommend these)
- Your favorite cake recipe or a good-quality box mix
- Buttercream or cream cheese frosting
- Rainbow Dot Sprinkles aka Nonpareils
The Method
Bake flat and layer. Bake your cake in a sheet pan, let it cool completely, then cut circles with a round cookie cutter sized to fit your jars. Layer the circles into jars with frosting between each layer, finishing with a smooth top layer of frosting and a generous handful of sprinkles.
Tips for the Best Homemade Dot Cake
Get the frosting smooth on top. This is part of the whole visual. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to level it out flush with the rim of the jar. That smooth top is the signature look.
Don’t skip the sprinkles. They’re not optional. Cover the entire frosting surface generously — this is what gives the dot cake its characteristic look and a little bit of crunch in every bite.
Let the cake cool completely before assembling. If the cake is even slightly warm, it will melt your frosting and the layers will slide. Full stop.
Refrigerate assembled jars for at least an hour before serving. This sets the layers, firms up the frosting, and makes the whole thing easier to eat. Assembled dot cakes keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Dot Cake Flavor Ideas to Try
The original dot cake at Butterfield market comes in quite a few flavors- red velvet, chocolate, and chocolate chip. You’ve got the basic method down, the variations are endless. A few to get you started:
- Chocolate dot cake with chocolate buttercream
- Red velvet dot cake with cream cheese frosting
- Vanilla birthday cake dot cake (recipe below)
- Lemon dot cake with lemon curd and vanilla buttercream ( I would use yellow sprinkles for this one and my base recipe from my lemon cake!)
- Yellow cake dot cake with chocolate buttercream
Frequently Asked Questions About Dot Cakes
- Can I make dot cakes ahead of time?
- Yes. Assemble them, seal the jars, and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. They actually get better after a few hours in the fridge once everything settles together.
- Can I freeze dot cakes?
- You can freeze the baked cake layers (without frosting) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then assemble fresh before serving.
- Where can I buy dot cakes if I’m in NYC?
- Butterfield Market on the Upper East Side is the original spot. The cakes are made by The Dot Cake bakery.
- What’s the best frosting for a dot cake?
- Both vanilla buttercream and cream cheese frosting work great. Buttercream holds its shape better in the jar and is a little easier to work with. Cream cheese frosting pairs especially well with red velvet or spiced cake layers.
Can I make dot cakes with boxed cake mix and pre-made frosting?
Absolutely. Bake the boxed cake in a 9X13-inch pan and follow my assembly instructions below!
Equipment
- 12 mini jars or cups
Ingredients
Vanilla Sheet Cake
- 1 cup butter 226 grams
- 2 cups sugar 400 grams
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs large room temperature
- 2 ¾ cup all purpose flour 330g
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon imitation vanilla extract
- ¾ cup buttermilk 180 grams, room temperature
Vanilla Frosting (American Buttercream)
- 1 pound confectioner’s sugar 454g
- 1 cup unsalted butter 225 grams, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream 45 grams
- 1 cup rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
Instructions
Vanilla Sheet Cake
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9X13 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides so you can lift the cake after baking. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar and mix on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle attatchment. Then add the ¼ cup vegetable oil and mix again until combined. Add the eggs one at a time on medium speed, mixing in between.
- n a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt until combined. In a measuring cup, mix the buttermilk and vanilla extract together. Add the dry ingredients and wet ingredients into the batter in thirds, alternating between the two and starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean with no crumbs. Let the cake cool completely.
Make the Vanilla Frosting (American Buttercream)
- Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and salt together for about 1 minute until smooth. A hand mixer will also work if you don’t have a stand mixer.
- Gradually sift in the powdered sugar a little at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and continue mixing until everything is fully incorporated.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cream while mixing on low speed, then pour in the vanilla extract. Continue beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. If you want a thinner consistency, add a little more cream.
Assemble the dot cakes
- Once the sheet cake has completely cooled, use a round cookie cutter that matches the size of your jars to cut out cake circles. If you don’t have a cookie cutter, you can also use the jar lid as a guide so the cake layers fit perfectly inside the jars.
- For one layer of cake, stack multiple cake layers directly on top of each other inside the jar without adding frosting between the layers. For layered dot cakes, adding a layer of cake, followed by frosting, then another layer of cake and more frosting. Repeat until the jar is filled, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top for the final frosting layer.
- Once the cake layers are assembled, spread a layer of frosting over the top so it reaches close to the rim of the jar. Make sure not to overfill the jar, as you’ll need room for the decorative topping.
- To finish, either sprinkle nonpareils over the frosting or dip the top directly into the sprinkles for full coverage. If dipping, pour the sprinkles onto a flat plate or shallow bowl first so the frosting can be evenly coated.
I was so excited to get a recipe for this TikTok dot cake, and it did not disappoint! The cake was nice and fluffy and the frosting delicious. Loved the crunch!