Tampa-Based Cuban Baker's Quick Africanitas Recipe Takes TikTok by Storm: "Trying to Eat Healthy, But It's Hard!"

A Cuban baker residing in Tampa has become a TikTok sensation by demonstrating a swift and simple method for crafting africanitas, the beloved chocolate-covered Cuban treat that brings back childhood memories for many. In her video, uploaded under the username @darislatinbakery, she showcases how to make these delights in "just five minutes" using ingredients readily available at any Latin market in the United States.

"Let's head to the nearest Latin market to grab these delicious biscuits," the creator begins, as she also illustrates how to melt chocolate coating—specifically from Walmart, as she mentions—and drape it over the biscuits using a homemade technique. The process wraps up with placing the pieces on parchment paper, achieving an appetizing result. She humorously admits, "They didn't turn out very pretty, they could be improved, but I can assure you they're delicious."

The clip, slightly over a minute long, has garnered thousands of reactions, mostly positive, and sparked a flurry of comments from users eager to recreate the recipe or simply relive childhood flavors.

From Nostalgia to Cravings: TikTok Reactions

User comments reveal a mix of excitement and nostalgia. "Thank you, I was crazy to eat them. I'll make them!" one follower exclaimed. "Look how easy they are to make, I never would have imagined. You can also use those biscuits for tiramisu," another added. Practical questions abounded: "What chocolate did you use, dear?" or "Where can I buy the biscuits?" asked several curious viewers ready to give it a try.

Jokes about dieting also surfaced, with one user writing, "Trying to eat healthy, but it's hard. I'm heading to Walmart!" amidst laughter. Skeptics wondered if the africanitas might fall apart, but most agreed the video offers "a great idea" and is "very well explained."

Past Successes: Chiviricos and Coquitos

This isn't the first time Dari, the creator of Dari’s Latin Bakery, has gone viral with traditional Cuban recipes. In January, her chiviricos recipe captivated thousands with a preparation needing only water, sugar, flour, and egg. "You took me back to primary school, at 4:20, when they cost 1 peso," a follower nostalgically commented at the time.

Months earlier, in August 2024, her candied coquitos recipe once again proved that Cuban cuisine, shared with love and simplicity, can evoke deep emotions.

A Taste of Cuba and Home

The success of @darislatinbakery is not solely due to the simplicity of her recipes but also the strong emotional connection they evoke. For Cubans both on and off the island, each video opens a door to memories: school snacks, street vendors, and the kitchens of mothers and grandmothers.

If you have biscuits and chocolate coating on hand, it might be time to try making these "five-minute" africanitas at home and let yourself be carried away by a flavor that transcends borders.