Play-Doh cake frosting gun's phallic shape causes online uproar

Can we retroactively cancel Christmas? Asking for Hasbro, the company behind the popular Play-Doh toys. Yes, even the one that looks like a dildo.

Play-Doh is fielding a flood of complaints and online heckles over a product that has the distinct and unmistakable shape of a … penis.

The Play-Doh Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset, a popular item this holiday season, includes a two-piece “extruder” that sprays Play-Doh like cake frosting. When the two pieces are separated, one of them takes on a new life.

And while the company has said parents who are uncomfortable with the shape of the product can have it replaced, the original is still visible and available online.

Uproxx first posted on the similarities after several parents complained on Play-Doh’s Facebook page. One mother said the sexualized shape of the frosting gun “completely ruined our Christmas.”

The level of childlike innocence in the Play-Doh product factory must be paralleled by only that of Santa’s workshop. It’s the only way the company’s latest masterpiece could have made it to store shelves. The snafu was not missed online.

But it’s not just the naughty boys and girls on social media that have spotted the similarities. The company has since posted a concession of sorts, offering to exchange the tool for a less-offensive alternative.

"We have heard some consumer feedback about the extruder tool in the Play-Doh Cake Mountain playset and are in the process of updating all future Play-Doh products with a different tool," the note reads. “Should any consumer want a replacement extruder for this item, they can contact Hasbro’s Customer Service Department at 800-327-8264.”

Of course, the company’s Facebook page has also turned into a venue for jokes and jabs. One Facebook user asked if the Play-Doh Cake Mountain playset came with a choking hazard warning, while another told complaining parents to simply suck it up.

It should be noted that the controversial piece was released well before Christmas, and has been receiving complaints for much of its existence. In November, Tulsa’s Channel 8 News called Play-Doh out over the shape of its frosting gun and was told the company would be using a different gun shape in future products.

Seems the change didn’t come soon enough.