Walmart’s Heart Cakes Spark Heated Debate on TikTok

A simple heart-shaped cake from Walmart has ignited a viral controversy on TikTok, pitting budget-friendly shoppers against independent bakers.

Walmart’s Victorian-inspired heart cakes, priced between $7 and $25, have gained traction on social media, especially around Valentine’s Day. Many TikTok users compared them to custom cakes from private bakeries, which can cost between $120 and $250.

Some home bakers voiced frustration over the price gap, arguing that high-quality ingredients and labor-intensive decorating justify their higher prices. One baker claimed that ingredients alone cost $45, and each cake takes six hours to make. A now-deleted TikTok video further fueled the debate, criticizing Walmart’s cakes as mass-produced with lower-quality ingredients.

However, the backlash against Walmart’s cakes received its own pushback. TikTok users mocked the outrage, with viral videos sarcastically suggesting that affordable cakes are “disturbing” and that “poor people shouldn’t have nice things.” Many defended Walmart’s bakery, with one user calling it “heavily underrated.”

Walmart’s cake decorators have since gained attention, with videos showcasing their skills. Nia Moss, a Walmart decorator for six years, saw her TikTok video of a heart-shaped cake skyrocket to nearly 8 million views. She dismissed the criticism, stating that Walmart pays decorators competitively and that their work deserves more recognition.

Ultimately, the debate highlights the divide between affordability and artisanal pricing, with social media fueling the conversation.