🎂 Surprise Inside: The Ultimate Gender Reveal Cake
This Gender Reveal Cake is the perfect way to announce your baby's gender in a fun and delicious way! A moist and fluffy vanilla cake hides a special surprise—either pink or blue frosting, candy, or cake filling. With smooth buttercream frosting and a festive design, this cake is not just a sweet treat but a memorable experience for your loved ones.
Equipment
- 3 (8-inch) round cake pans
- Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer)
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Piping bags and tips
- Offset spatula
- Cake turntable (optional but helpful)
- Cake leveler or serrated knife
- Small bowl for the colored reveal filling
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 2 ½ cups 315g all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups 400g granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup 240ml whole milk
- For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups 340g unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cups 720g powdered sugar
- ¼ cup 60ml heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For the Gender Reveal Filling:
- 1 cup 150g pink or blue candy (M&Ms, sprinkles, or colored frosting)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 2: Make the Buttercream Frosting
- Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low.
- Add heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, then increase speed to high and beat until fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Step 3: Assemble the Cake
- Once cakes are completely cool, level the tops if necessary.
- Cut a hole (about 3 inches wide) in the center of the middle cake layer.
- Place the first cake layer on a cake stand and spread a thin layer of buttercream.
- Stack the middle cake layer (with the hole) on top and pour in the pink or blue candy/sprinkles.
- Cover with the final cake layer and frost the entire cake with a crumb coat. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Apply the final layer of frosting, smoothing it with an offset spatula. Decorate as desired.
- Step 4: The Big Reveal!
- When ready to serve, cut into the cake for the surprise gender reveal!
Notes
You can use food coloring to tint the cake batter pink or blue for an extra surprise.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To make the cake extra special, add a fondant bow or baby-themed cake toppers.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To make the cake extra special, add a fondant bow or baby-themed cake toppers.