Local 05
By Bola Okpue, Co-Founder of Wani Cakes
Wani Cakes is a Detroit-born brand bringing everyday celebration to cold snacks. Founded by Bola and Anwelli, the story began with their wedding cake: using baking skills he learned from his mother a professionally trained chef in Nigeria Anwelli baked their cake for 200 guests, and the rave reviews sparked a bigger idea.
That moment planted the seed for Wani Cakes, named after their community in Nigeria, Ukwuani. Wani Cakes evolved from custom cakes into single-serve protein snack cups that blend functional nutrition with the indulgence of cake. When the pandemic paused large gatherings, the team reimagined cake as something personal, convenient, and made for daily routines.
Early innovation included the Omich Cake, a single-portion kit honoring the founders’ three children. The first flavor, Berry Summer, pairs a buttery Nigerian-style vanilla cake with the Wani Signature cream and gently cooked real strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries light texture, deep vanilla, and just-sweet-enough.
After farmers’ market sellouts, Wani Cakes received support from many local and state organizations, including DNEP, MSU Product Center, and MEDC, to develop the product and packaging for retail.
Today, shoppers can find Wani Cakes at Meijer Market Stores including Independence Market (Clarkston), Capital City Market (Lansing), and Rivertown Market (Detroit).
As customers asked for more convenience and better nutrition, Wani Cakes launched grab-and-go cake cups now a cornerstone of the lineup. Each single-serve cup offers 8g of protein, 250 calories or less, reduced sugar, and no artificial colors or high-fructose corn syrup. The moist cake texture, paired with real fruit or childhood favorites like cookies and cream offer a unique experience to a better-for-you snack. These fit everyday moments with morning coffee, afternoon pick-me-ups, post-workout, or late-night.
More than snacks, Wani Cakes champions celebrating people, community, and legacy inspiring people to recognize their potential, pursue their dreams that strengthen our communities, and bring people together through food.
With nationwide online shipping launched in January 2026 and expanded regional retail availability planned in 2026, Wani Cakes is earning a place in fridges across Michigan and beyond. Sold frozen in stores and designed to thaw into a chilled, ready-to-eat snack, Wani Cakes is on its way to becoming a household name with broader availability at Meijer and other leading retailers. Wani Cakes is designed for daily consumption tucked into lunch boxes and gym bags, enjoyed with morning coffee, or picked up during a quick grocery run so customers can enjoy what they eat and feel good about it.
