A Slice of History
The tradition of celebrating a baby’s arrival has roots that go back centuries. In ancient Greece and Egypt, gatherings were held to honour both mother and child, often with symbolic offerings or sweet treats. Over time, these rituals evolved into what we now know as the baby shower — a joyful event focused on sharing love, laughter, and gifts with expectant parents.
In the UK, baby showers as we know them today gained popularity in the late 20th century, inspired by American customs. Now they’re an essential part of welcoming a new baby — and no party feels complete without a beautiful, meaningful cake at its heart.
The Rise of the Gender Reveal Cake
While baby showers celebrate the parents-to-be, gender reveal cakes add a moment of excitement and surprise. The concept is thought to have originated in the early 2000s, when creative bakers started concealing coloured sponge or buttercream inside a cake — pink for a girl, blue for a boy — to reveal the baby’s gender when cut.
Since then, this idea has taken the world by storm, appearing in countless social media videos and family gatherings alike. The beauty of a gender reveal cake lies in its sense of theatre: the quiet anticipation, the big reveal, and the shared joy that follows.
What Baby Shower and Gender Reveal Cakes Usually Are
Traditionally, these cakes are layer cakes made with soft, light sponge and creamy fillings. Vanilla and chocolate remain classic choices, but flavours like lemon, red velvet, and strawberry are also popular for their vibrant colours and crowd-pleasing taste. Vanilla sponge is most commonly used if the gender is supposed to be revealed by the colour of the sponge when the cake is cut, as vanilla sponges work best with the pink or blue food dye.
Decorations often feature soft pastels, fondant baby motifs, piped buttercream details, or subtle themes that reflect the family’s style — from whimsical woodland scenes to elegant minimalist designs. For gender reveals, the magic is hidden inside: a colourful interior, a filling of pastel sprinkles, or a burst of coloured buttercream that tells the secret in the sweetest possible way.
Popular Design Ideas
-
Classic Pink and Blue: Timeless, simple, and instantly recognisable. Perfect for traditional celebrations.
-
Neutral and Elegant: Soft beige, sage green, or ivory tones paired with delicate textures for a modern look.
-
Floral or Botanical Themes: Fresh flowers, edible petals, wafer flowers or leafy details add a beautiful natural touch.
-
Piñata-Style Cakes: Filled with coloured sweets or confetti that spill out when sliced — always a crowd-pleaser. Our version features fresh berries as the surprise filling.
-
Cupcake Reveals or Themed Cupcakes: A fun twist on the classic reveal — each guest takes a cupcake to discover the colour inside. Or, if parents already know the gender, pink or blue Cupcakes are a popular choice.
Our Approach at Jack and Beyond
At Jack and Beyond, we love creating baby shower and gender reveal cakes that are as thoughtful as they are delicious. Each cake is freshly baked in our Battersea kitchen and can be customised to match your colour scheme, theme, or vision. Whether you prefer something traditional or completely unique, we’ll make sure your cake feels special, personal, and perfectly suited to your celebration.
Start by browsing our Baby Shower / Gender Reveal Cakes & Cupcakes online, and order in a few simple steps. Or get in touch to enquire about bespoke cakes or cupcakes using our enquiry form.
We also offer London-wide delivery and Battersea collection, so your cake arrives fresh, flawless, and ready for the big moment.
The Sweetest Way to Celebrate
Every baby shower and gender reveal is a celebration of love, anticipation, and new beginnings — and we’re always honoured to be part of those moments. A beautiful cake brings everyone together, marking the start of a new chapter with sweetness, laughter, and joy.
Explore our full range of celebration cakes online, or get in touch to design your own bespoke creation for your next baby shower or gender reveal.
Leave a comment