Since the season finale of “Heated Rivalry” aired, fans have been longing for one more taste of their favorite fictional hockey players — so some are baking cakes in honor of the beloved show.
The buzzy Canadian romance series follows professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) as they go from enemies to lovers. Audiences have fallen for the the book-turned-series and its longing glances, covert canoodling and competition on and off the rink.
It hit the U.S. in November 2025, and the series’ popularity snowballed over six episodes to become one HBO Max’s top 10 TV shows. Its finale received IMDb’s highest rating of 2025.
And lately, bakers have been immortalizing the icy-hot show with icing.
“Santa’s not the only thing coming this week,” TikToker Jake Eldridge jokes about the show’s abundant and steamy sex scenes in a Dec. 24 video. “I thought, ‘What better thing to bring to the cabin than a big cake?’ And there are much larger cakes in the cabinet, if you’ve been watching the show.”
Eldridge’s buttercream-frosted vanilla cake features Shayne and Ilya’s jerseys, piped lettering and a “big hockey puck” in the center.
“This might be one of the Top 3 best hockey cakes,” one person commented.
Bakeries have also been giving it their best shot, so to speak.
“I sure didn’t expect to open my WORK EMAIL this morning and see these two faces. 😅 I thought I opened the wrong app and freaked out,” posted baker @vanlifegreenie, along with photo, on Threads. “(I work at a bakery and someone wants their beautiful faces on a cake.)”
They then showed off the result on Jan. 3.
“THE LONG-AWAITED CAKE PIC,” they said, noting that the decorator did a “PHENOMENAL” job. “Customer didn’t want to pay for the edible printed image and honestly I think this is better. 🤭.”
Author Abby Jimenez, owner of Nadia Cupcakes, whipped up multiple batches of “Heated Rivalry” cupcakes and says she’s a fan because the show validates romance-centered storytelling and makes queer romance the focus — how it “should be.”
“Shane and Ilya’s love story has truly sparked a cultural phenomenon that put us all in a chokehold,” Jimenez tells TODAY.com. “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!”
On Dec. 31, Threads user Sarah (@kaleidoscopebakes) posted her “Heated Rivalry”-themed creation — a half ginger ale spice and half chocolate cola cake.
“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 TODAY.com, and that it being her last cake of 2025 “felt so fitting.”
Sarah says the love story is “queer joy” with a “happy ending,” something that’s uncommon for gay and lesbian characters on TV and in movies.
“Despite all of the hardships Shane and Ilya go through, their love is enough to persevere. It’s inspirational and invigorating!” she says.
“‘Heated Rivalry’ also created a safe space for myself and many other queer people during a time where the world continuously doesn’t feel safe,” she says. “I like to think they would love it.”
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