Cake Gate 2023 is the baking scandal rocking the world of pastries, Kylie Kakes Dessert Bar and Cafe, and TikTok. It all began innocently enough with a simple bad review, but now the internet is questioning the integrity of a baker and her entire business. 

Kylie Allen is the 26 year old owner and founder of Princeton West Virginia's Kylie Kakes Dessert Bar and Cafe, as well as a "girl mom of four." Kyle began baking in 2017, and managed to take her "home based business" baking for money on the side, "and turn it into a six figure grossing storefront in two years." Her story is inspirational, and a picturesque representation of the American dream. But all it took was one bad review and some overzealous defending to bring it crashing down. 

On April 7th, Kylie posted a video to her TikTok page describing, "one of the worst client experiences I've ever had." In the clip, she recounts dealing with a rude customer who was upset to discover that her $75.99 8-inch rainbow cake came with sprinkles. 

@kylieraeallen Worst client experinece so far #cake #cakes #cakedecorating #cakedecorator #rainbowcake #fypシ #fyp #sprinkles #cakesoftiktok #karen #badclient ♬ original sound - Kylie Allen

It all seemed like a regretful, but normal interaction for a small business owner to have, until the customer decided to defend herself. Posting this TikTok to her page Afreebird, the customer shared her entire exchange with Kylie, and the cake itself. It's safe to say that the cake left much to be desired at its $75.99 price point. "Look at it. That's the problem," the customer texted along with a photo of the cake. She even went on to bake a new and better cake for herself. 

@afreebird Replying to @sarahkaitlyn9 #cakedecorating #cakedrama #rainbowcake #kylie #cakeandtea ♬ Titanic flute fail - Funny/Awesome Vids

@afreebird Replying to @selenahernandez608 The cake TRILBY deserved. PS - Ik the handwriting is rough! I’m rusty. #kylieraeallen #happybirthdaytrilby #karen #badcustomer #homebaker #rainbowsprinklecake #cakebeef #thatsideoftiktok #doubledown #cakedecorating ♬ Originalton - Neymar fan page

After some public discourse between the two parties across Facebook and TikTok, the internet took notice. Other disappointed customers attacked Kylie, while some loyal ones came to her defense. Ultimately she removed all comments from her TikTok videos, but a new problem emerged. People were calling out the authenticity of her cakes altogether.

@diva5m Replying to @katieisqween987 not my video it's @morgan_more video. but I retract my earlier statement she is f@cked #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #cakegate2023 ♬ original sound - Diana Vazquez

It didn't take the internet long to realize that multiple photos of cakes Kylie appeared to be passing off as her own, were not hers. In another video, Kylie claimed that the pictures were "inspiration photos" for her baking classes, but that explanation left much to be desired. "It's pointless, your time and effort" she told her critics. "I would just keep my mouth shut."

@kylieraeallen

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♬ original sound - Kylie Allen

Since the scandal, many professional bakers and PR experts have criticized Kylie both for her cakes, and her handling of the situation. As this commenter puts it, "She is "good" for an amateur I guess. The issue people have is her prices and attitude refusing to admit her quality isn't worth the price." 

"Cake-Gate 2023" will undoubtedly impact Kylie Kakes Dessert Bar and Cafe, and the court of public opinion is not in her favor. "It's kind of sad because I'm sure her business is f'ed," one video says, "but she did this to herself."

@marketinginmiami @kylieraeallen #cakegate2023 #cakegate ♬ original sound - Jess