Boulder King Soopers cake decorator finds sweet success on TikTok
Oct 26, 2026, 9:17 AM | Updated: 11:45 am
A cake decorator at a Boulder King Soopers has turned a self-taught skill into a growing online following — one frosting-covered masterpiece at a time.
Arya Empson, who works full time decorating cakes at King Soopers on 30th Street in Boulder, started with no formal experience. She learned cake decorating by watching YouTube videos.
Over the past three years, she has built her own colorful style, creating whimsical cakes inspired by memes, internet culture and her own personality. Her designs have also caught attention online, where she has more than 10,000 followers and 1.4 million likes on TikTok. Empson says she enjoys the challenge of creating unique cakes within the limits of a grocery store bakery. That means working with what is available, following store guidelines and still finding ways to make each cake feel personal and fun.
Her cakes are made for birthdays, graduations, office parties and all the little celebrations that somehow still require someone to remember candles at the last second. For Empson, the best part is helping customers celebrate meaningful moments. She wants her cakes to bring joy and create memories, not just look good in a photo.
She hopes to one day start her own cake business from home and says she is excited by the community forming around her cake videos. Until then, Boulder shoppers may want to keep an eye on the bakery case. Your next grocery run could come with a side of TikTok fame.
