Cats lack gene for sweet tooth

If you leave anything out the cat will get into it. You should know that as a cat owner =)
Seriously I wonder why they would have been able to taste sweet in the first place? I just assumed that most carnivores can't taste sweet; it's just not a quality of the food they eat.

The article implies that they won't eat because they enjoy sweet. If the cat eats the cake, there may be other things in the cake that they desire or lack in their diet - specifically butter or other dairy if it's a frosted or creme-filled cake. I'm hungry now. I think I'll get some twinkees.

Absolutely. The article I heard on this subject this morning suggested that cats that eat ice cream or cake are tasting the fats contained within.

I had a cat who would eat my Twinkies if I left them out (chew up the wrapper too). I wonder what the taste of butter fat is if you can't taste sweet.
Also a funny note, cats are lactose intolerant.

We have been warned that ethylene glycol (common automobile antifreeze) is poisonous and its sweet taste lures pets to drink it. So apparently cats are not at risk?

They are at risk just because they explore with their mouth, they might just think it's water.

That is the explanation I remember. In hindsight, it may have been just and easy and convenient explanation. I wonder what other compounds in the anti-freeze could be attracting them?