Parents' Guide to Killer Cakes

KILLER CAKES in a red drippy font over a knife reflecting a screaming man. The knife is stabbed into cake with a fake eyeball in red gooey frosting.

Common Sense Media Review

Megan Andersen By Megan Andersen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 15+

Ultra-gory baking competition for the strong-stomached.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 15+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

In KILLER CAKES, pairs of contestants compete to make the most disturbing (and delicious) bakes that fulfill horror movie-themed prompts set forth by host Mathew Lillard. The four pairs of bakers will have their creations judged on taste, incorporation of special effects, and the story that accompanies the prompts. Challenge one includes a cake and weapon with the requirements that the creations "breathe and ooze." After the first challenge, one team will be eliminated, leaving three to battle it out for $20,000.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

If you enjoy horror films and movie makeup, you will love this series. You don't even need to enjoy baking shows—Killer Cakes is a baking show with almost no mention of recipes. Fake maggots are eaten off the face of a judge; fake scars and scabs and exposed bone are picked and eaten; fake vomit, skin, eyeballs, and guts are showcased and celebrated. If that's your jam, this is your show. If, however, you have a delicate stomach, know that this will be a hard pass. Additionally, the show asks an awful lot of the contestants within the time constraints and feels very staged, even for reality television.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Killer Cakes presents an overlapping of two different creative fields. Are there hobbies your family enjoys together? How do they overlap? What crossover projects might you like to tackle together?

  • Killer Cakes celebrates special effects makeup from the horror movie industry. Does your family enjoy scary movies, haunted houses, or convincing movie makeup? What are some creative ways your family has explored the spooky creative arts? What would you like to try together?

  • Presentation can make or break a meal. Are any of the creations in Killer Cakes things you might consider eating? Has there ever been something your family made that tasted great but looked gross or weird? Would you consider re-creating your own baked items that look realistic and scary?

TV Details

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KILLER CAKES in a red drippy font over a knife reflecting a screaming man. The knife is stabbed into cake with a fake eyeball in red gooey frosting.

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