The latest food trend making waves on social media is the “burn-away fire cake,” a confectionary creation that combines cake with a dramatic visual effect. This innovative dessert involves placing an edible image on top of a cake, which is then set alight to reveal a hidden image beneath.

The trend gained significant traction thanks to bakers like Denise Steward and Namaya Navaratnarajah. Steward’s viral video featured a New Year’s themed cake that, when burned, revealed a message celebrating Taylor Swift’s new era. Inspired by this, Navaratnarajah, known for her creative cake designs, created her own viral versions, including cakes themed around Pokémon and pop culture references.

Burn-away cakes are made by layering a flammable edible paper over a traditional cake design. The paper is burned away to uncover another image, thanks to careful layering and specific ingredients. While the trend’s origins are a bit murky, its popularity surged as more bakers adopted and adapted the technique for various celebrations, including birthdays and gender reveals.

The appeal of burn-away cakes lies in their dramatic reveal, offering a unique and memorable experience for special occasions. Although working with fire carries some risks, the process is generally safe, with the flames being controlled and relatively low in intensity.

As this trend continues to evolve, bakers and enthusiasts are exploring new and inventive ways to use the burn-away technique, ensuring that this visually stunning dessert is here to stay for a while.