- Trader Joe's released a limited-time Swedish princess cake that went viral on TikTok.
- The frozen dessert became an instant sensation, selling out nationwide due to its stunning appearance, affordability, and convenience.
- Reviewers praised the cake’s decadent yet light taste, with the tart raspberry filling balancing sweet cream and marzipan, though it differs from traditional Swedish versions by having less whipped cream height.
Trader Joe’s has done it again. The retail chain is offering a limited-time-only princess cake in the freezer section that’s already become a sensation online. It’s no wonder. This pastel-colored traditional Swedish dessert is a celebratory showstopper that promises to make any occasion feel special, be it a birthday party, a shower, or a dinner with friends.
This pretty cake has been going viral on TikTok, and selling out at Trader Joe’s all over the country. When I called my local TJ’s to make sure they had it in stock, the staffer who took my call shared that the phone had been ringing about this dessert all week, and that the cakes were flying out of the freezer case. “Don’t worry,” she said, “we’re getting 16 more cases tomorrow morning. We open at 9:00!”
On TikTok, Eats by Rachel strongly prefers the Trader Joe’s version over Ikea’s cake, while Lily Beez devours it right off the serving platter. Like me, Chris Jame Kahle nagged the employees at his TJ’s for a box until they relented.
What is Trader Joe’s Swedish Princess Cake?
This delicious dessert features vanilla chiffon cake layered with raspberry jam and pastry cream, topped with a generous pile of whipped cream, and draped with a delicate green marzipan. It is available in the frozen dessert section at Trader Joe’s for $7.99. One cake serves about six people.
Why is this limited-time cake selling out?
This dessert has created a perfect storm of deliciousness, convenience, affordability, and striking beauty. Its pastel green dome looks so pretty on a vintage cake stand, and you can keep it stowed in the freezer until guests come calling. It serves six people with little effort.
What does the Swedish Princess Cake taste like?
Decadent and creamy, but still fresh and light, this cake is so tender you may not be able to stop eating it. The thin blanket of marzipan gives way to rich whipped cream, which covers the first layer of fluffy vanilla chiffon cake. In between the cakes, you’ll find a generous dollop of bright, tart seedless raspberry filling, plus a delicate almond custard. The tart fruit balances the sweet cream and marzipan.
How does Trader Joe’s version compare to the traditional dessert?
While I’ve never had a traditional prinsesstårta in Sweden, several Swedish-style bakeries in Chicago, such as Levinson’s and Lost Larson offer their versions. The biggest difference seems to be the height: Traditional princess cakes have a more dramatic dome of whipped cream beneath the marzipan. The Trader Joe’s cake also lacks the pink marzipan rose that often adorns traditional versions.
The best way to serve the cake
Thaw the cake in the refrigerator about 7 hours ahead of serving time. The cake comes packaged in a protective plastic dome–leave that in place until you serve it. Then simply remove the plastic dome and place the cake on its cardboard base on a cake stand or serving platter. Cut with a serrated bread knife or cake server while still cold for precise slices that show off all the delicious layers within.
Is Trader Joe’s Swedish Princess Cake worth hunting down?
If your family likes fancy cake, and you like having an inexpensive, impressive celebration cake standing by in your freezer for any special occasion, call your local Trader Joe’s to check availability before heading over to nab one (or two)!
