In a surprising turn of events, a simple chocolate cake with caramel frosting has become the talk of the town, all thanks to a viral TikTok video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. The video, which has amassed over 18 million views, showcases Harris' genuine enthusiasm for the cake, creating a relatable moment that has resonated with the American public.

A Cake That Captured the Nation's Attention

The Unexpected Viral Moment

When Vice President Kamala Harris visited Dottie's Market in Savannah, Georgia, co-owner Ericka Phillips had a hunch that something might be in the works. "Savannah's a small town," she said. "Secret Service people stick out." However, what Phillips didn't anticipate was the overwhelming response to the TikTok video that captured Harris' reaction to the chocolate cake with caramel frosting.The video, which was produced as part of a campaign, shows Harris walking into the restaurant, stopping in her tracks, and exclaiming, "What is that cake?" Her voice is filled with genuine enthusiasm, almost a sense of longing, as she admires the dessert. The video then cuts to a close-up of the cake, revealing the creation of pastry chef Jae Newby, who had whipped it up to commemorate Dottie's (Phillips's great-grandmother) birthday.

The Cake's Unexpected Rise to Fame

While it's likely that Harris didn't know the cake was made in Dottie's honor, the tribute to the restaurant's namesake, who passed away in 2013, only helped fuel the cake's popularity. Since the video went viral, the cake has sold out every single day, and requests to ship it across the country come in daily. The demand has even led to the creation of Dottie's merchandise, and patrons now reserve entire cakes for their dinner.In a move to meet the overwhelming demand, Dottie's Market will soon release a version of the chocolate-caramel cake in a jar, making it more accessible to customers nationwide. The cake's newfound fame has also made it a sweet touchstone for Harris supporters in the fiercely contested swing state of Georgia.

The Relatable Appeal of the Cake

The appeal of the cake, beyond its delicious appearance, lies in the vice president's genuine enthusiasm for it. Her reaction created a feeling of connection that is familiar to food TV fans but much less common in the world of politics. In the final weeks of a high-stakes presidential campaign, where the sprint to the finish line has come down to swaying the small slice of undecided or infrequent voters, the cake video has provided an alternative to the barrage of attack ads.For politicians, eating is always a part of the likability test, but Harris is the first presidential candidate to use it as a strength. Running for the American presidency has long involved consuming various American foods on the campaign trail, but competently eating a pork chop on a stick or chipping in on a fish fry doesn't generate headlines. Some of the most famous campaign eating moments occurred when something went wrong, like when Gerald Ford ate a tamale, husk and all, or when John Kerry's request for Swiss cheese on his Philly cheesesteak was met with criticism.

The Changing Perception of Food in Politics

For female presidential candidates, food was often seen as a liability. In 1964, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, the first woman to seek the nomination of a major political party, refuted her characterization as the "blueberry muffin" candidate, saying reporters should focus on her loyal service in Congress. During Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, the most indelible food image was of the candidate looking longingly at a piece of cheesecake she didn't dare eat.However, Harris' enthusiastic reaction to the cake has challenged this perception, showcasing how a relatable food moment can humanize a candidate and connect them with the electorate. In a campaign landscape dominated by attack ads and political rhetoric, the cake video has provided voters with a refreshing alternative, allowing them to see a more genuine and approachable side of the vice president.