
While eating sweets is always a pleasure, at least for this writer, making them yourself can be quite a tricky matter, can’t it? But if you’re one of the people with skills in the kitchen who enjoys making desserts, you may want to check these videos out. They show you how to create sweet snacks that look so adorable, you’ll almost feel bad eating them!
The videos, presented by American actress Rosanna Pansino on her YouTube cooking program Nerdy Nummies, show you how to make various snacks modeled after anime and game characters. Pansino was actually named winner this year in the Food Category of the Shorty Awards, which recognize achievement in short-form work on social media sites, so it’s no wonder that the videos of her sweet creations have been noticed here in Japan as well.
▼ Shorty Award winner Rosanna Pansino’s YouTube show, Nerdy Nummies
If you, like the majority of the human population (including myself), are fond of tasty-looking food, you’ll probably find that all the numerous treats Pansino cooks up in her videos look incredibly yummy. A few of them in particular, however, have been introduced in a story now circulating on the Japanese Internet, and not only do they make your mouth water, they’re positively gorgeous to look at!
Not surprisingly, the video showing how to make macaroons in the shape of that much-loved anime character Totoro seems to be the one that has attracted the most attention. Japanese Internet users appear to have been genuinely impressed with the quality of Pansino’s confectionery recreation of the forest spirit from Studio Ghibli’s famous anime. And once you see the finished product, we’re pretty sure you’ll agree too.
▼ See how the beautiful macaroons are made in the video below
▼ The finished Totoro macaroons, and the black susuwatari soot spirits from the same anime also in adorable macaroon form
Pansino’s fun and artful creations in the shape of the Star from Super Mario Brothers, as well as Kirby from the Nintendo game series have also been noted by Japanese Internet users as further examples of her work.
▼ Mario Stars made from rice crispies
▼ Irresistibly cute Kirby macaroons with varying expressions
▼ A closer look at one of Kirby’s smiling faces
▼ And for the chefs out there, here are the videos showing the cooking process for the two sweets
Well, we certainly can understand why people here in Japan have been commenting “Kawaii!! So cute!!” at the sight of these treats. Yes, they’re cute all right, although I have the feeling that they won’t quite turn out the same way if I tried to make them myself. To our delight, there are many more videos in the Nerdy Nummies series. So, if you’re serious about cooking some awesome-looking desserts, you can see the collection of her videos on YouTube here. Happy baking!
Source and images: “Nerdy Nummies – Geeky Cooking Show” on YouTube by Rosanna Pansino via ITmedia Inc. (Japanese)






Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Japanese Shinkansen welcomes overnight guests for one night during summer festival
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Tokyo Pokémon Center announces reopening after months-long closure following stabbing death
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
McDonald’s Japan goes viral for Samurai Mac burger hack
A roadside hair salon stall in China made us Norway’s Haaland for US$1, and warmed out hearts too
Pachinko industry rebounds on convenience and innovation, but smaller parlors struggle to keep up
Japan’s expensive “phantom” melon is so exquisite it sells out in just 12 hours
Studio Ghibli Laputa figure looks like it’s really flying thanks to cool visual trick
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Pikachu and Ditto Pokémon desserts at Baskin-Robbins Japan look AND feel like their inspirations
How are you supposed to wash a Japanese futon duvet at the laundromat?
Starbucks Japan brings back the Caramel Waffle, but is it as good as it used to be?
Japanese government okays plan to create a backup capital city
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China