AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 12, 2026
Butter and Spice’s Plantain Cake Becomes a Social Media Phenomenon
Butter and Spice, a Black-owned Toronto bakery, has shot to local fame thanks to its unique plantain brown butter cake. The bakery, led by Marchelle McKenzie, has seen its signature creation go viral on social media, particularly on TikTok, resulting in long lines and regular sell-outs. This Caribbean-inspired dessert—a dense slice reminiscent of banana bread, frosted with brown butter and finished with caramel-coated plantain chips—has captivated the city’s food scene since the summer.
Embracing Caribbean Roots Through Baking
Owner Marchelle McKenzie draws inspiration from her Jamaican heritage, crafting treats that invoke nostalgic Caribbean flavors. Her culinary journey includes travel and experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, but she finds herself returning to the tastes of her upbringing. "I want to make food that I want to eat, but I also want to create a space that is where people who look like me want to come and eat food that they’re familiar with," McKenzie said.
Butter and Spice operates from a single-door fridge inside Little Portugal’s Death in Venice Gelato, offering a weekly rotating menu. The plantain brown butter cake and salted caramel carrot cake have become permanent offerings due to their popularity, but the menu also features banana pudding, brownies, cuppa cakes, and brown butter cinnamon buns—McKenzie’s personal favorite. Customers can also buy tubs of cake scraps, a sweet opportunity for those seeking value over presentation.
Social Media Virality Brings Growth and Challenges
The widespread attention from TikTok and other platforms brought both praise and criticism. While the viral videos under McKenzie’s "it is soooo good" tagline have regularly drawn crowds from across the Greater Toronto Area, critics have also labeled Butter and Spice’s offerings "overhyped." McKenzie admits the experience has been challenging, especially handling the increased workload and criticism.
"I know what I stand for," McKenzie reflected, acknowledging the challenges of entrepreneurship—including early morning starts, constant content creation, and managing a wave of customer interest. As the business grew exponentially, tasks like responding to emails and messages became overwhelming, prompting McKenzie to seek support for ongoing operations. "You have to know how to delegate and know how to ask for help," she explained, describing the growing pains that come with viral popularity.
What’s Next for Butter and Spice
As Butter and Spice continues to ride the wave of attention, McKenzie is planning special events and new creations. The bakery is set for a pop-up at RD’s Southern BBQ in Brampton on November 14, starting at 4 p.m. For the holiday season, McKenzie has teased the development of a cake inspired by sorrel, a beloved Jamaican Christmas drink, promising it will be "absolutely delicious."
The Expanding Reach of Caribbean-Inspired Baking
The success of Butter and Spice highlights the rising interest in Caribbean desserts and flavors within Toronto’s diverse food scene. For McKenzie, the journey is a balance of celebrating heritage, managing rapid growth, and continuing to innovate with offerings that resonate with both familiar and new customers.
Final Reflections on Food Entrepreneurship
Butter and Spice stands as an example of how food entrepreneurship, fueled by social media virality, can transform a small toronto bakery into a locally recognized name. With continued community interest and evolving menu offerings, McKenzie’s embrace of her roots and dedication to quality promise more sweet surprises to come.
Source: nowtoronto.com.
