I tried the beloved Publix sheet cake and I understand why it has such a loyal fan base

I've read blogs and roundups that tout the unique deliciousness of a Publix vanilla cake with buttercream frosting, and I remember them being a staple at friends' celebrations who lived in Publix territory.

When I was looking to try one out for myself during a road trip, strangers and friends confessed their love for this cake to me both in person and through messages on social media.

While on a road trip through South Carolina and Georgia at the end of 2021, I decided to compare and rank sheet cakes from three popular grocery stores in the region.

In Charleston, South Carolina, I stopped at Food Lion; on my way to Savannah, Georgia, I visited Kroger; and in Atlanta on the last leg of my trip, I made it to Publix.

Publix is also known for its chicken-tender sandwiches, which I tried while on a trip to Florida in 2022.

There were cases of different cakes and pastries at this market's bakery. In between muffins, cookies, and cakes, there was also an informational area where people could go to plan out any custom orders they want to place.

Certain cakes and confections were being sold by the slice or piece, but there was no single slice of vanilla cake with buttercream frosting for me to buy. I was, however, able to find a small, premade, round version of the cake, which cost me $11.49.

The cake I bought would have been great for any generic celebration, but it really made me think of a birthday — maybe it was my own association of birthdays with primary colors.

It was decorated with three very puffy-looking balloons made of the same buttercream that covered the entire cake. They had green "strings" and white accents that looked like light reflections, and those little details made me think that Publix really cares about the cake's presentation. The cake also featured blue buttercream piped around the bottom and colorful flat sprinkles on top.

When I initially cut into this confection, I saw a four-layered yellow cake with three interior layers of stark-white buttercream. I could tell from the way it sliced and the way the crumbs felt in my hand that the cake was moist, and it held together as I picked up the full slice.

Then, I bit into it. I immediately understood why everyone loves this treat for special occasions. It tasted sweet in a natural way rather than a chemical way (which I've seen in cakes before), and it had what I would call a medium density (it wasn't too heavy and rich, but it didn't fall apart from being too airy). The flavor of the yellow layers was mildly sweet and I thought it tasted rich with butter.

Ultimately, if someone offered me a slice of Publix cake, I would definitely be excited.

Customers I've heard from have a strong connection to the fluffy icing on these party cakes. And while I agree that the texture is dreamy, my affinity for it stops there.

I thought the cake smelled kind of strange when I first took the lid off, but I learned that was coming from the buttercream. And after eating the frosting on its own, I didn't think it tasted like frosting at all. I thought it tasted artificial, but not in the same delicious, sugary way some other frostings I've tried do. Instead, I thought it was lacking sweetness and just tasted like chemicals as if I had put a child's toy in my mouth.

While the frosting wasn't my favorite, I did think it tasted much better when I ate it in conjunction with the layers of baked cake. However, I'm someone who enjoys scooping frosting with my pinky finger and eating it on its own, so I personally wouldn't request a Publix cake at my own birthday party.

That said, I can see how the silky, light, whipped-textured frosting and the fresh-tasting cake have gotten loads of people to fall in love with the Publix confection. So if you're not someone who loves eating frosting plain, or who generally doesn't mind an artificial-tasting whip (There's no shame in that, by the way!), then it may be worth seeking out a Publix and getting a taste of this beloved dessert for yourself.

As I expected, the red balloon dyed my mouth, so maybe don't eat it before an important meeting — but I think that's just part of the fun of eating food coloring.