At a Glance
- Since its November 2025 U.S. debut, “Heated Rivalry” has climbed into HBO Max’s top 10
- Home bakers and professional bakeries are crafting cakes honoring hockey lovers Shane and Ilya
- The finale scored IMDb’s highest rating of 2025, fueling a surge of edible tributes
- Why it matters: The show’s queer love story has created both a cultural moment and a baking trend
Since the season finale of “Heated Rivalry” aired, fans craving one more taste of their favorite fictional hockey players are turning to sugar and flour. The buzzy Canadian romance series tracks pro hockey stars Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) on their enemies-to-lovers journey. U.S. viewers met the pair in November 2025, and the six-episode run quickly snowballed into one of HBO Max’s top 10 shows. The finale earned IMDb’s highest rating of the year.
TikTok Takes the Ice
On Dec. 24, TikToker Jake Eldridge shared a vanilla cake covered in buttercream and hockey imagery.
- Jerseys for both Shane and Ilya ring the sides
- Piped lettering spells out show references
- A “big hockey puck” sits dead center
“Santa’s not the only thing coming this week,” Eldridge jokes in the video, nodding to the series’ steamy scenes. Commenters called the dessert “one of the Top 3 best hockey cakes.”
Professional Piped Passions
Bakeries are also icing the action. Threads user @vanlifegreenie, who works at a bakery, posted a photo of a customer order on Jan. 3.
- The request: Shane and Ilya’s faces on a cake
- The decorator hand-drew the portraits instead of using an edible print
- The customer skipped the up-charge for printed images, and the staff called the result “PHENOMENAL”
Cupcakes From the Author’s Kitchen
Author and Nadia Cupcakes owner Abby Jimenez baked multiple batches of “Heated Rivalry” cupcakes. She tells Natalie A. Brooks the show validates romance-centered storytelling and puts queer romance front and center.
“Shane and Ilya’s love story has truly sparked a cultural phenomenon that put us all in a chokehold,” Jimenez says. “Our staff is watching the show along with the rest of the world, we are obsessed, and we enjoy making desserts that celebrate the things we love!”
A Half-and-Homage Finale Cake
On Dec. 31, Threads user Sarah (@kaleidoscopebakes) unveiled her own creation: one side ginger ale spice, the other chocolate cola.
- Flavors match the characters’ favorite drinks from the books
- She calls the pairing “queer joy” with a happy ending
- Sarah says the safe, celebratory space the show offers matters during unsettled times
“When I read the books, I knew I had to make a cake inspired by Shane’s love of ginger ale and Ilya’s love of cola someday,” Sarah tells Natalie A. Brooks. “Despite all of the hardships Shane and Ilya go through, their love is enough to persevere. It’s inspirational and invigorating!”
Why the Cakes Keep Coming
Bakers cite three reasons for the surge:
- The rarity of a mainstream queer love story with a happy ending
- A tight-knit fandom eager to share edible tributes
- A December-January holiday window perfect for celebratory desserts
From home kitchens to professional shops, the trend shows no sign of melting. Each new post adds frosting to the fandom, proving that for “Heated Rivalry” devotees, love-like cake-is best when shared.
