TikTok cake pop dispute escalates into apology, brand fallout and harassment concerns

Cake by Kaity accused SweetTreatsByAshley of sharing a Fruity Pebbles cake pop recipe from a paid cookbook without permission, but Ashley denied using or buying that cookbook. The dispute spread widely after Ashley’s response drew more than 19 million views, according to the source article.

The disagreement quickly became about more than one dessert recipe. Viewers debated whether a recipe itself can be protected under U.S. copyright law, while Fruity Pebbles also reposted its own cake pop recipe during the wider conversation.

The backlash had business consequences for Cake by Kaity. DaisyMakes suspended a collaboration indefinitely, and B&B Sweets said it would no longer actively promote the Cakesicle Popper product.

Kaity later apologized and said she had handled the matter poorly, while also reporting abusive messages, including threats and racist abuse aimed at her family. Ashley then asked viewers to stop sending hate and said she wanted the situation to move on, making the episode another example of how creator disputes can become real-world pressure campaigns.