TikTok’s viral engine is constantly cranking out creative and entertaining content. The latest trend involves cakes and fire, a pair of words that on paper alone sparks curiosity. If desserts get you excited, there’s a good chance you’ve seen “burn-away cakes” pop up on your timeline. The idea is simple: Cakes come with a printed image that when set afire, reveals another image hidden underneath. It’s a novel experience that only lasts a few seconds but will add an extra layer of excitement to your celebration.
@denises_delights93 A moment for that ✨BLING✨ ???? I used 5th avenue from @Bakery Bling™ and it literally looks like I put broken disco ball pieces allllll over the cake! I’m obsessed! ?? #bling #cake #sparkle #glitter #edibleglitter #cakedecorating #newyear #newyearseve #nye ♬ All That Glitters - Earl
Burn Away cakes aren’t new, but according to The Washington Post, they’ve had a viral resurgence thanks to an Illinois-based baker named Denise Steward, whose social media handle is Denise’s Delights. Her initial post featured an NYE cake that burns to reveal an “In My 2004 Era" homage to Taylor Swift.
@cakesbynams another double layer #burnawaycake this time #pokemon themed #charizard ♬ Pokémon Theme - Pokémon
The fiery display added a wow factor to the cake and inspired Ontario-based baker Namaya Navaratnarajah (or @cakesbynams) to begin baking burn-away cakes. Her Charizard-inspired cake has 38 million views alone. Thanks to having a larger following, Navaratnrajah lit a fire under the baker community and kicked the trend into high gear.
Now bakers online and IRL are hopping on the burn-away wagon. New York City-based Angelina Bakery has created a selection of decadent burn-away cakes in celebration of Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day. The bakery’s Lunar New Year Dragon Blaze Cake is a dazzling display that symbolizes prosperity and new beginnings. For the lovers, there’s a Valentine’s Day Cupid’s Arrow Cake that features a romantic message hidden beneath Cupid. It’s definitely a great way to show a burning desire for your significant other.
There are countless ways to make creative burn-away cakes, and the viral trend is still heating up, so you have more than enough time to experiment on your own.
