Publix adds viral dessert to bakery as customers pull back

Publix is adding a new item to its bakery that has recently gone viral on social media. 

The grocery chain has already been updating its bakery and deli lineup in recent months as it faces slower sales growth in its stores.

For example, in February, it added four new large “Decadent” cookies to its bakery, which rival the viral desserts sold at Crumbl Cookies.

In April, it introduced a lineup of smoked brisket sandwiches at its delis and, in May, rolled out five new chantilly desserts at its bakery. 

Earlier this month, Publix even dropped new limited-edition lemon baked goods, which include cakes, donuts, cheesecakes, and cookies.  

Publix teases viral dessert coming to its stores

Now, Publix is making another bold addition to its bakery, and this time it appears to be a cake that has recently gone viral on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms. 

In a recent Instagram post, Publix teased the upcoming arrival of the popular “dot cake," which will drop in mid-June. 

“We heard you like a certain type of cake…New Bakery goodness drops June 16,” said Publix in the post. 

Dot cakes first went viral on social media in May, garnering millions of views. The treat originates from The Dotcakes, a bakery in Roslyn, New York. 

Related: Publix faces consumer boycott threat after store policy change

The bakery’s “Dotcup,” its single-serve 8-ounce cake, has specifically gained popularity. It usually sells for $11 each and comes in sponge cake flavors such as red velvet, classic white, vanilla chip, funfetti, and chocolate. 

Each Dotcup is coated with frosting, then topped with a dense layer of crunchy spherical sprinkles, a unique feature that has especially attracted consumer interest.

The Dotcakes bakery reportedly sells 600 of these cakes at its Roslyn location and at Butterfield Market in Manhattan every Wednesday and Saturday, and they sell out within two hours as customers wait in long lines to get their hands on one, according to a report from the New York Post.

Recipes for dupe versions of the dot cake have also flooded social media for those who don’t live near a location that sells it.

Greenberg&solGetty Images

Publix faces sales pressures as consumer behavior shifts

Publix’s decision to feature the cake could boost sales, which it needs after facing months of weak consumer demand.

In the first quarter of 2026, the grocery chain, with more than 1,400 stores across the country, saw flat comparable-store sales growth, according to its latest earnings report. 

Also, Publix reported net income of $794 million, down from $1 billion in the same quarter in 2025, a 21.5% year-over-year decrease. 

“Across the grocery and retail industry, recent results have shown a similar pattern: positive but moderate sales growth, margin pressure in some areas, and continued focus on value, pharmacy, and customer traffic,” said Troy Garcia, financial advisor at Allen & Company, in a recent note.

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“Compared with competing grocers, Publix’s flat comparable-store sales were not especially strong this quarter,” he continued.

In its earnings report, Publix cited the new Medicare drug pricing program as one of the main drivers of flat sales during the quarter. The program limits the amount that pharmacies can be reimbursed for 10 select prescription drugs.

However, the company’s weak performance comes as many Americans cut back on grocery spending due to economic pressures such as inflation and a housing affordability crisis, according to a recent A&M Consumer and Retail Group survey.

How Americans are cutting back on groceries:

• About 61% of Americans are reducing grocery visits to cut costs. 
• Between 50% to 60% are shifting to lower-priced retailers to find more affordable grocery prices.
• Also, 35% are buying cheaper brands in stores as financial pressures mount.
  Source: A&M Consumer and Retail Group

In a press release, Chad Lusk, managing director at A&M’s Consumer and Retail Group, said consumers aren’t just spending less money, but are also “making thoughtful tradeoffs.”

“They’re cutting back on volume and dramatically changing shopping routines to stretch their wallets,” said Lusk.

Publix’s move to lean on a viral social media trend to shore up demand also comes after it recently made two major store changes that frustrated customers, further threatening future sales growth. 

In March, it discontinued Publix Pay, angering customers who claimed the contactless payment option made their shopping more seamless.

Also, in May, Publix faced boycott threats from consumers after quietly adjusting its open carry policy, which now asks only law enforcement to openly carry firearms in its stores. 

Related: Publix angers customers by removing convenient payment option