Executive chef Melissa Trimmer of Dawn Foods shares thoughts on one of the hottest trends emerging in the decorated cake sector with innovative tips on how to prepare “pull-me-up” glitter cakes – just in time for spring holidays and beyond.

“People want to have experiences,” Trimmer says of pull-me-up cakes, which feature a special reveal in the final step. “These cakes have customizable flavors. I really would love to see bakeries sell take-home kits to consumers.”

Here’s how it works. Your bakery can offer pre-iced cakes from Dawn Foods. The glitter comes in a separate perishable container. Decorate your cake any way you prefer. Wrap a transparent cake strip around the edges and secure tightly. Secure with transparent tape.

Then spread your whipped cream evenly on the top of the cake, followed by chocolate ganache. Add glitter, sprinkles, and other decorations, as desired.

For the final reveal, pull the transparent cake strip directly upward and allow the ganache (along with decorations) to drip down the cake sides, creating an eye-catching – but messy – work of art.

“The anticipation of it is the whole experience,” Trimmer points out. “After it drips down the side of the cake, it feels like it is intentionally messy.”