Why is this everywhere now?
From weddings to birthday parties, the berry chantilly cake popularized by Whole Foods is ubiquitous. The cake is a go-to among shoppers providing dessert for a potluck, picnic, or first date.
On paper, the cake appears run-of-the-mill: vanilla sponge layers separated by whipped icing and fresh berries. So why is it so popular?
1) The surprisingly sophisticated flavor
- Store-bought cakes have earned a reputation for being overly sweet, tacky, and loaded with artificial ingredients. The chantilly cake gained popularity for unexpectedly tasting great.
- The frosting tastes like fresh dairy and its sweetness is balanced by the fresh acidity of the real berries. This also makes it a safe-bet crowd pleaser.
2) Social media & visual appeal
- Over the past year or two, the cake quickly gained popularity on TikTok and blogs, spawning hundreds of dupe recipes.
- The cake is simple enough to replicate at home, but elegant enough to bring to formal functions, like weddings or showers.
3) Whole Foods distribution & sizing options
- The upscale grocery chain responded quickly to the internet fame, making the cake available in locations around the country.
- The cake is available in different sizes, but most crucially — in single servings. Customers can buy just a slice and scratch the chantilly itch at any time, without having to buy a full cake or wait for the next group event.
Note: Chantilly cream (a French term) is traditionally just lightly whipped cream sweetened with sugar and vanilla. Whole Foods seems to use the term more for its marketing ring than for the recipe: the frosting is supposedly made with mascarpone and cream cheese.
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