As the holiday season reaches its peak in December 2025, one tradition stands out amid the tinsel and twinkling lights: Tom Cruise’s annual delivery of the legendary White Chocolate Coconut Bundt Cake from Doan’s Bakery. This decadent treat—moist coconut sponge laced with white chocolate chunks, smothered in tangy cream cheese frosting, and crowned with toasted coconut flakes—has evolved from a simple gesture into Hollywood’s ultimate status symbol. Receiving one isn’t just about indulging in a $130 dessert; it’s a sign you’ve secured a spot in Cruise’s inner circle, a mark of enduring favor from one of cinema’s most enigmatic superstars.

This year, as dry ice-packed boxes begin arriving at doorsteps across Los Angeles and beyond, the buzz is electric. Recipients are sharing their excitement (or envy-inducing photos) on social media, while those left off the list quietly wonder what changed. With deliveries confirmed as early as December 2, 2025, the ritual is in full swing, reminding us why this cake has captivated Tinseltown for nearly two decades. But what makes it so irresistible? How does the list work? And who are the lucky (and unlucky) ones this holiday season? Dive into the sweet saga that’s sweeter than fiction.

The Sweet Origins: From Private Gesture to Viral Phenomenon

The story traces back to the mid-2000s, when actress Diane Keaton introduced the cake to Katie Holmes during the filming of Mad Money (2008). Holmes, then married to Cruise, brought it home, and the action star was instantly smitten. Soon, Doan’s Bakery—a modest, family-owned spot in Woodland Hills, California, founded in 1983 by Karen Doan—was fielding bulk orders from Cruise’s team.

What started as gifts for close friends ballooned into hundreds annually. Cruise’s production company handles the logistics, compiling a secretive list each year. The cakes arrive in elegant white boxes with gold ribbons, personalized notes reading something like “Warmest wishes this holiday season – Tom Cruise,” and sometimes an ornament. Preserved in dry ice for nationwide shipping via partners like Goldbelly, they’re engineered for perfection upon arrival.

Doan’s owner Eric Doan (who took over after his mother’s passing) has revealed they prepare “a couple hundred” specifically for Cruise, starting weeks in advance. Remarkably, Eric has never met the star in person—the orders come through intermediaries. Yet, this tradition has kept the bakery thriving, especially through tough times like the pandemic.

The cake’s allure? It’s a sensory masterpiece: not cloyingly sweet, with the cream cheese frosting balancing the richness and toasted coconut adding crunch. Copycat recipes flood the internet, but purists swear nothing matches the original. As Goldbelly describes it, this is the treat that “derails the strictest Hollywood diets”—a cheeky nod to its calorie-laden glory.

The Power of the List: In, Out, and the Dreaded “Naughty” Side

Being on “the Cruise Cake list” is akin to Hollywood royalty. Once added—often after collaborating with Cruise—you’re typically there for life, unless… you fall from grace. Rumors of a “naughty list” persist, with former recipients abruptly cut off, sparking speculation about slights or shifting loyalties.

Brooke Shields, for instance, enjoyed a decade-long run before it stopped post-Cruise’s divorce from Holmes. Renée Zellweger has joked about wanting back on after her streak ended. Even high-profile names aren’t immune; the list evolves, reflecting Cruise’s current circle.

This year, deliveries kicked off early, with Puck News founder Matthew Belloni posting a photo on December 2, declaring: “I can confirm the annual Tom Cruise holiday gift cake has begun to arrive.” His excitement set off a wave of confirmations and FOMO across the industry.

Longtime recipients like Kirsten Dunst (on since Interview with the Vampire in 1994) and her husband Jesse Plemons (from American Made) are doubling up, ensuring extra indulgence. Glen Powell, Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick protégé, continues his tradition of hosting cake parties. Tom Hanks, Rosie O’Donnell (who posts ecstatic unboxings yearly), Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Angela Bassett, and Cobie Smulders remain fixtures, often rationing slices into the new year.

Newer additions, like those from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, such as Cary Elwes, gush about their “guilty pleasure.” Even non-actors, like journalists and executives, make the cut if they’ve earned Cruise’s respect.

But not everyone’s story is sweet. Jake Johnson (The Mummy) revealed in a 2025 Instagram post that after confessing a dairy intolerance, Cruise switched him to a custom gingerbread house—thoughtful, but a demotion from the iconic coconut cake. “I might actually like this more,” Johnson quipped, though fans sensed the sting.

Why This Cake Captivates Hollywood (and the World)

In an industry rife with rivalries, Cruise’s gesture is pure generosity. He rarely eats sugar himself—maintaining that ageless physique for stunts—but loves sharing joy. As he told James Corden in 2018, “People love it.” It’s a reminder of Cruise’s meticulous nature: precise, thoughtful, and enduring.

The cake has transcended dessert, appearing in TV shout-outs (like Hacks) and inspiring memes. Social media erupts each December with unboxing videos and envy. Non-recipients dream of it; one X user lamented, “Hoping this is the year I get a Tom Cruise Coconut Cake.”

For 2025, amid Cruise’s busy schedule (filming the next Mission: Impossible), the tradition endures unchanged. No major shake-ups reported yet, but as Eric Doan notes, dropped recipients often call disappointedly.

Public reactions highlight its unifying power. O’Donnell’s annual posts, Powell’s parties, and Bassett’s anniversary recreations show how it fosters connection. Even critics of Cruise’s personal life admit the charm.

How to Get Your Own Slice of the Magic

Not on the list? No problem. Doan’s ships nationwide via Goldbelly (around $130 plus shipping). Locals can order directly, though holidays sell out fast. Copycat recipes abound for DIY attempts—one popular version claims to rival the original with sour cream for moisture and coconut emulsion for flavor.

As Christmas 2025 approaches, boxes continue arriving, sparking joy and jealousy. In a world of fleeting trends, Cruise’s cake is timeless—a delicious emblem of loyalty in fleeting Hollywood.

Whether you’re a perennial recipient like Dunst or a hopeful like the rest of us, one thing’s clear: this holiday, the sweetest gift isn’t under the tree. It’s from Tom Cruise.