Where to find viral dot cake dupes across Long Island
Uncle Joey's Rainbow Explosion in Farmingdale is selling its own twist on the viral dot cake. Credit: Newsday/Meghan Giannotta
Have you tried the viral dot cakes? Social media feeds have been filled with rainbow cake cups for the past couple of weeks. This clamoring for the dot cake, a colorful, crunchy cake that has taken over the minds and bellies of those with sweet teeth, is the latest in food trends.
Though the internet has just caught on, The Dotcakes began in Roslyn in 2017 when, then-teenager Alex Posner created an aesthetically pleasing cake, selling them out of her parents’ home. These simple cakes, which taste nearly identical to Betty Crocker’s vanilla birthday cake recipe, are topped with a thin layer of vanilla frosting, then dipped in rainbow nonpareils, the crunchy, tiny, circle sprinkles that, before the dot cake, felt somewhat old-fashioned. But the Posners — Alex, and her mom, Sondra — have given the sprinkles new life.
Uncle Joey's Rainbow Explosion in Farmingdale is selling its own twist on the viral dot cake. Credit: Newsday/Meghan Giannotta
While plenty of local bakeries and restaurants are doing straight dupes of the now-viral cake, with its layer of vanilla frosting covered with rainbow sprinkles, the "inspired" dot riffs have also begun. We’ve seen folks promoting dot cake milkshakes and dot cake brownie skillets, dot cake martinis, like at ITA Kitchen in Garden City, and dot cake lattes, like at Elsie’s Niece in Farmingdale and Salpino's in Dix Hills. Various Ralph’s franchises across the Island are making a version with ice cream. And given New York’s fascination with the Knicks’ current run to the NBA Finals, there are just as many Knicks-colored, orange, white, and blue versions, as there are the original rainbow ones. There’s even savory spins; take the mashed potato "dot cake" being put forth by Food & Wine magazine, layered with chives and crushed potato chips and topped with — what else? — caviar.
The Dotcakes first went viral at Butterfield Market, in Manhattan, the only grocer in the boroughs to sell the originals. Priced between $11 and $13 for an 8-ounce cake, getting them has produced massive lines that form daily in front of the store. On Long Island, where in-the-know folks have been enjoying Dotcakes for nearly a decade, originals can be found at Dotcakes’ Roslyn Heights store, as well as in Syosset, at Americano Pizza.
While the "Dotcups" have become the viral sensation, the original cakes can be custom-ordered for any number of people — booking four to five weeks in advance — in Roslyn Heights. Prices vary depending on size, tiers and customized design. Dotcups can be purchased at the store in packs of four. Cups run $8 each.
The Dotcakes, 121 Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights, 516-414-1512, thedotcakes.com
However, if you can’t get your hands on those, here are fives dupes we found across the Island.
Uncle Joey’s Rainbow Explosion
451 Main St., Farmingdale
At this decadent shop in Farmingdale, they’re making two versions of the dot cake. There’s a requisite rainbow cookie dot cake with Italian-themed red, green, and white nonpareils over a raspberry buttercream, as well as Knicks-themed dot cakes. $8 each, (Knicks version, $9). More info: 516, 586-3983, unclejoeysrainbowexplosion.com
The take on the dot cake at Salpino's. Credit: Marie Elena Martinez
The Original Salpino’s
683 Old Country Rd., Dix Hills
This Italian grocer in Dix Hills has nearly replicated the original, only the portion size is doubled. The cheapest option at a bargain $5.99 — for a shareable cup of cake — these supersize bakery treats are being made fresh daily and come in both vanilla and chocolate flavors. More info: 631-916-4437, https://www.theoriginalsalpino.com
Front Street Bakery's cake cups nod to the New York Knicks. Credit: Marie Elena Martinez
Front Street Bakery
51 Front St., Rockville Centre
At Front Street Bakery, which is celebrating 80 years in business, they offer two options. First, a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream. Second, a chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream filling. Three different sprinkle versions are available — rainbow, chocolate or Knicks-inspired blue, orange and white. $6.95 each. More info: 516-766-1199, frontstreetbakery.com
Torta Fina
80 Deer Park Ave., Babylon
Multiple versions of the dot cake are on offer at Babylon’s favorite bakery. There’s a chocolate fudge version, with vanilla cake and an embedded layer of fudge in the middle, topped with rainbow sprinkles. There’s an Oreo option, a red velvet option with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate on chocolate. Pro-tip: They’re also doing a dot doughnut. $8.50 each. More info: 631-669-0824, tortafina.com
There's a dot cake-inspired milkshake at Wiskey Down Diner. Credit: Marie Elena Martinez
Whiskey Down Diner
252 Main St., Farmingdale
A departure from the original, we couldn’t resist Whiskey Down’s milkshake version of the Dotcake. At $10, this special "birthday shake" celebrates the restaurant’s seven years in business. Made with a vanilla milkshake base loaded with soft, multicolored sprinkles, it is topped with an actual slice of Funfetti birthday cake, whipped cream and a thick, rainbow nonpareil rim. Served alongside the extra serving of milkshake, this one is for sharing. More info: 516-927-8264, whiskeydowndiner.com
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
Most Popular
Top Stories
